Executive Speeches
14 May 2009
Remarks by Frank Fischer, Chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations, LLC.
Chattanooga Production Facility Wall Raising Ceremony
 |
| Frank Fischer, Chairman and CEO of VWGoA Chattanooga Operations, LLC, speaks to large crowd at ceremony. |
Good afternoon, I welcome you to our construction site for our wall raising ceremony.
We are honored that Govenor Bredesen and German Ambassador Scharioth have joined us this afternoon.
I'm also very pleased to welcome Dr. Jochem Heizmann, board member for production and logistics, who oversees the 61 existing plants worldwide, board member Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg responsible for research and development of Volkswagen brand; as well as Stefan Jacoby, the CEO of Volkswagen Group of America and a familiar face here in Tennessee.
I want to thank the mayors, state legislators, city council members, county commissioners and representatives for Senators Alexander and Corker, and Congressman Wamp.
We're putting up the first wall and putting down roots in Chattanooga. And we are here to stay.
Ten months ago, Stefan Jacoby announced our decision to come to Tennessee. Today, you can see that this decision is becoming a reality.
We would not be here today without the strong support we have received from the people of Tennessee and their elected officials. Foresighted government leadership makes a difference.
This plant is a great example of business, government and community leaders working together for the common good.
Our mutually supportive relationship will create jobs, encourage economic growth and help solidify Chattanooga's reputation as a center for innovation and technology.
Your governor deserves a lot of credit for that. And he certainly deserves the gratitude that all of us at Volkswagen feel.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Governor Bredesen….
Bredesen remarks
Thank you very much, Governor.
Ladies and gentlemen, let us hear from the German Ambassador Dr. Klaus Scharioth
Ambassador Scharioth remarks
Fischer: Thank you very much, Ambassador Scharioth.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In March, we announced our 5.28 million dollar commitment to education in Tennessee.
Calvin Donaldson Elementary School went above and beyond in hosting us and all our guests that day. I don't think they expected some 500 people to attend….I know we also did not!
We hosted the event at Calvin Donaldson because this special school has a particular focus on environmental science.
Their students are passionate about the environment, and so is Volkswagen. We see a win-win with this partnership.
I'd like to invite Calvin Donaldson's principal, Valerie Brown to join me on stage.
Valerie, thank you so much for your hospitality when we met in March. It was an exciting day for all of us.
Since the announcement, I'm sure you've had a couple of meetings with the teachers to discuss next steps. Can you fill us in?
Valerie Brown: Thank you Mr. Fischer.
First, let me say how excited we are at Calvin Donaldson for this opportunity and how appreciative we are of Volkswagen's very generous gift. We have begun brainstorming sessions for what we want the building to look like and how we want our entire campus to function as a green environmental space.
Some of the green building features we are looking at are solar panels in order to have 90% daylighting, chemical free materials used in the interior of the building, a rainwater catchment system, an energy efficient HVAC system, a graywater treatment and reuse system and a science and food lab for edible garden projects. Teachers started dreaming beyond the annex building to envisioning a new green playground with a natural track surrounding the play area instead of an asphalt driveway. We have many community partners that are also eager to work with us to help make our building the first LEED certified Platinum-rated school building in Hamilton County. This process involves the way the building is built, the way it performs, the way it impacts our environment, and the way it educates our students. It's an exciting time at Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy!
Fischer: I know we didn't have all the students there in March, but those that were there had such enthusiasm. We were all so impressed. Can you tell us what their reaction has been?
Brown: Our students are very excited to partner with Volkswagen to create a hands-on environmental learning laboratory on our campus and the opportunities that an environmental science curriculum provides. They are eager to become trend-setters in our county and school system regarding environmental science and become leaders in training an environmentally conscious community that will sustain an new way of everyday living. Their enthusiasm is truly contagious and we are so proud of our students and their commitment as an active participant in their learning and passion for the environment.
Fischer: I think we may see some of this passion in a moment. I want to thank you for having the graduating 5th grade join us today. I understand they're not just passionate about the environment, but also about music. Can you tell us a little bit about what they are going to perform for us?
Brown: Every year, our fifth graders perform a song at their promotion ceremony. In keeping with our environmental science theme at Calvin Donaldson, our choral director and our students chose to sing the “Recycle Rap.” This fun, upbeat song talks about the importance of recycling, its impact on preserving our earth's natural resources and getting others involved in the effort. We are so excited to perform it for you today because you share our joy and commitment in preserving the environment.
