Bill Compton Corporate Environmental Stewardship Award Announced by Illinois EPA

SPRINGFIELD --- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Doug Scott has announced creation of the Bill Compton Corporate Environmental Stewardship Award to recognize outstanding contributions to the environment by an individual or company, with the award's namesake, retiring Caterpillar Inc. environmental manager Bill Compton, honored as the first recipient.

 

During his 32 years in Caterpillar's Environmental Affairs Office, Bill Compton has been a leader from the corporate sector, working with Illinois EPA and other stakeholders in developing groundwater protection and air pollution control programs.

 

"Bill Compton's career has epitomized responsible corporate environmental stewardship and we could think of no one more fitting to honor by establishing this new award and naming it for him.  We believe that Bill's environmental stewardship is a model for the Illinois' business and corporate community," said Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott in presenting the surprise award to Compton at a retirement reception Thursday, Feb. 15 in Springfield.

 

"Bill's wealth of professional expertise in chemistry, occupational health, environmental management, and water supplies, his leadership in industrial and professional organizations, and his excellent negotiation skills have made a direct impact on the overall success of Illinois' groundwater and air pollution control programs," Scott added.

 

"Bill has provided a valuable service as a liaison between the IEPA and Caterpillar facilities, paving the way for positive relationships and win-win results for both groups.  His leadership has led to emissions reductions and improvement in our environmental performance and his work to promote environmental stewardship at Caterpillar has been integral to our ongoing inclusion on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index.  Environmental excellence and sustainable development are key to Caterpillar's business success, and we look forward to building on Bill's legacy," said Doug Oberhelman, Group President, Caterpillar Inc.

 

"At Caterpillar, our people are our greatest asset, and hiring and selecting employees of the highest caliber are critical to our company's success.  Bill Compton has demonstrated Caterpillar's values in action: integrity, teamwork, excellence and commitment, throughout his career as an environmental manager.  He has embraced, lived and shared the principles of preserving our natural resources with government, business and community alike.  On behalf of Caterpillar, I thank the State of Illinois for recognizing Bill's contributions," said Ali Bahaj, Corporate Auditing and Compliance Division Vice President, Caterpillar Inc.

 

Compton was previously awarded an Illinois EPA Environmental Excellence Award for his participation on the design team for the innovative Emissions Reduction Market System to reduce air pollutants that contribute to soot and smog.  He also has been a leader from the business sector in groundwater protection efforts, and has served on the Governor's Groundwater Advisory Council since 1997, including as Chair, as well as chairing the Water Quantity Planning Subcommittee and the Right-to-Know Notification Methods Subcommittee.

 

He has also worked on the local and regional level to protect groundwater, including chairing the Pekin wellhead protection ordinance team, chairing the Central Illinois Groundwater Protection Planning Committee, and serving as trustee and chairman of the Groveland Township public water supply and on the Tazewell County Groundwater Protection Committee.

 

His work has been honored with the National Groundwater Association's Groundwater Hero Award, the Illinois Groundwater Association's Groundwater Science Award, and an Illinois EPA Certificate of Commendation for leading the Pekin Wellhead Protection Team.

 

Compton has also served as Chairman of the Executive Committee and Environmental Affairs Committee of the Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group, an industry group representing many major Illinois companies that focuses on environmental issues.

 

In his work at Caterpillar, he has addressed environmental issues not just at the company's many Illinois facilities, but has traveled the world consulting on environmental stewardship to the company's international business operations.

 

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