Waste Management Adds Newest Member to Team Waste Management Racing
HOUSTON--March 7, 2005--| Jesus Hernandez is the new Waste Management ambassador to the Drive for Diversity(SM) Program |
Jesus Hernandez will represent Waste Management, Inc. as the newest member of its NASCAR racing team. The 23-year-old Fresno, Calif., resident will drive the No. 17 Waste Management Ford in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series for Belnavis Racing in the Drive for Diversity(SM) program for the 2005 season. Hernandez joins Matt Kenseth and Bill Lester to complete Team Waste Management Racing.
Waste Management will support Hernandez through the Drive for Diversity(SM) program in 2005. Drive for Diversity(SM), which is recognized as NASCAR's leading on-track diversity initiative, is a diverse driver and crew member development program created and managed by Access Marketing & Communications. It is this program that has given drivers like Hernandez the chance to live out a dream. Like NASCAR, Waste Management is committed to being an organization that not only embraces diversity and inclusion, but reflects that commitment through its employees and customers.
"We are proud to add Jesus to Team Waste Management Racing," said David Steiner, Waste Management Chief Executive Officer. "Jesus has already proven himself as a trailblazer in the racing industry and he's a remarkable individual off the track as well. We look forward to working with him and continuing our support of NASCAR and its commitment to have the sport of racing look more like America both on and off the racetrack."
"For NASCAR to continue to succeed and grow, no other issue is more important," added Brian France, Chairman and CEO of NASCAR. "The same stands true for our nation, which reflects an exciting and diverse ethnic and racial citizenship that deserves respect, support, and inclusion."
"Our support of Jesus is just part of our commitment to promoting diversity throughout the broader business world, not just in the motor sports industry," said Carlton Yearwood, Vice President Business Ethics and Chief Diversity Officer for Waste Management. "It is not only a corporate initiative we take seriously, it is also an issue of cultural fusion that we are supporting proactively."
Hernandez will be in 20 races from April 2 through September 24 at the Motor Mile Raceway in Radford, Va.
Prior to his selection in the Drive for Diversity(SM) program, Jesus dominated each new series he entered - capturing Rookie of the Year honors in both the Junior Grand American Modified in 1998 and the Grand American Modified in 2000.
During the 2005 season, Waste Management will also sponsor Matt Kenseth, driving the No. 17 Waste Management car in the NASCAR Busch Series, as well as Kenseth's No. 17 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series car as an associate sponsor. Additionally, Waste Management further supports the diversification of motor racing through its sponsorship of driver Bill Lester, a tremendous ambassador for diversity and for NASCAR. Lester will drive the Waste Management No. 22 Toyota Tundra in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series throughout 2005.
The Company also provides waste management and recycling services to a majority of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series racetracks. Waste Management is also involved at the local level as a service provider for many of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series tracks.
About Waste Management
Waste Management, Inc. is its industry's leading provider of comprehensive waste management and environmental services. Based in Houston, the Company serves municipal, commercial, industrial, and residential customers throughout North America. For more information, visit http://www.wastemanagement.com.
About Access Marketing & Communications/Drive for Diversity(SM)
Drive for Diversity(SM) is a diverse driver and crew member development program created and managed by Access Marketing & Communications, a Charlotte-based multicultural marketing firm founded in 2003 by The Radiate Group and Calhoun Enterprises. In 2005, the program will support up to eight drivers in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series and other series and 12 crew members in the NASCAR Busch Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Grand National Division. Drive for Diversity(SM) is an initial step in a long-term solution to diversity NASCAR's participant and audience base. For more information, see the program's official website at www.DriveforDiversity.com.