Executive Speeches
04 June 2009
Stefan Jacoby Remarks
South County Secondary School
Fairfax County Public Schools "Drive-Off"
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| Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America Inc. (VWGoA), speaks to an audience of administrators, board members, teachers and students of the Fairfax County Public School (FCPS). |
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| Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO, VWGoA, shares a laugh with the audience at the June 4th ceremony celebrating Volkswagen Group of America's donation of 13 vehicles to the FCPS. |
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| Virginia Governor Tim Kaine expresses the importance of Volkswagen Group of America's "Partners in Education" program to the students at the FCPS. The program will provide students with training that is necessary for a successful future in engineering and mechanics. |
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| Virginia Governor Tim Kaine joined the FCPS in thanking VWGoA for the donation of 13 vehicles. |
Thank you for that introduction Gabriel.
Also, thank you to Principal Lipp for hosting us today, and to Superintendant Moniuszko and his team for putting this event together.
Gov. Kaine, it is great to be with you again.
I seem to run into the Governor quite often, especially at events involving education.
He was with us in September when we first announced our intention to support education in this state.
Now he's back to make sure we meant it.
Well … we did.
It is an honor to be at the home of the South County Stallions. Thank you for hosting us today.
I'm pleased to see the teachers and students in the audience. This event is for you. We are all here because of you.
To the teachers: Thank you for your dedication to one of the most important jobs in our society.
To the students: Just two weeks to go! Don't slack off now.
I would also like to congratulate the girl's softball team for their huge victory on Tuesday night. Keep doing what you're doing and good luck in the semi-finals tomorrow.
It is clear that South County students are fulfilling the school's vision statement — "Excellence in All Endeavors" — by succeeding in the classroom as well as on the athletic field.
Volkswagen shares that desire for excellence. We also applaud your belief that education should empower students to become better citizens.
The school's mission statement says that South County "promotes good citizenship, a sense of civic responsibility, global awareness and an appreciation for human diversity."
We have the same goals at Volkswagen. That's why I'm here today.
This is a very special occasion for me — and a bit unusual. I'm in the business of selling cars. I'm not used to giving them away.
Today, I'll be handing over the keys to 13 cars — one for each of the 13 Fairfax County schools with an automotive technology program.
And I can't wait to do it.
This project is part of a five-year, $2.1 million initiative has the potential to reach 1,200 students in Fairfax County, at four Virginia colleges and universities, and at the Excel Institute in the District of Columbia.
Those funds don't include the contributions we'll be making through car donations like this one today. You probably won't be surprised to learn that the 13 vehicles today total almost another $500,000.
We're proud to be growing this partnership.
It is exciting to think that these cars and the programs developed around them could help lead a young person to a decision about their future career.
Our involvement in education is a natural outgrowth of the philosophy and culture of our company.
We believe we should be an integral part of the community anywhere we have a significant presence. We're not just employers, we're neighbors. And we want to be good neighbors.
So when we decided to move the headquarters of the Volkswagen Group of America to Herndon, we weren't merely looking for a place to put an office building. We were looking for a place to put down roots.
Our corporate culture also puts a premium on education.
We all know that our children are our future.
Their future depends on a good education.
A good education gives students choices. That's why we are so pleased to support automotive technology education in the Fairfax County Public School system.
The students who will work on these cars will experience the very latest automotive technology.
They will learn about computer diagnostics, direct injection clean diesel, and sophisticated electronics.
More importantly, they will learn to become problem solvers and critical thinkers. That will help no matter which career path they choose.
This program also reflects our holistic approach to education. We want to provide long-term benefits on multiple levels.
The teachers who participate in our "train-the-trainers" will receive the same instruction as our certified mechanics.
And that's another hallmark of our approach to corporate citizenship. You don't become part of a community simply by donating cash…or cars.
You have to give your time. You have to let your neighbors see what you do.
We will share our knowledge and expertise with teachers.
Then they will share their knowledge and expertise with students.
We are looking for other ways to expand our partnership with the Fairfax County school system.
We are exploring the possibility of a job shadowing program that would let students come to work with one of our employees.
Our employees are eager to participate in panel discussions and other school events.
We want to become a valuable resource for this school system and its students.
Of course, it would be great if some of the students who benefit from this program end up working at Volkswagen or Audi.
But it is also fine if they don't.
The only thing that really matters is that they learn something.
When that happens, we all gain.
Thank you very much. Let me turn the program back over so we can get to the fun part – the drive off!
