Shanghai, China – Jeremy Burks, Dow Corning’s Greater China President, received the “Shanghai Magnolia Award” for his role in leading the company’s continued contributions to the city’s economic and social development. Named after the city’s official flower, the annual award was launched in 1989 and recognizes expatriates for their significant contributions to the city’s advancement.
“This recognition is another true acknowledgement of Dow Corning’s commitment to the region’s development, and the award should be attributed to our local employees,” said Burks. “Dow Corning and its employees are highly engaged in our local communities around the world and China certainly holds true to those values. From innovative solutions emerging from Dow Corning’s US$50 million China Business and Technology Center in Pudong to our annual ‘Fascinating Silicone in Life’ Science Day program that has benefited 3,500 students, our employees are deeply committed to making a positive and lasting difference.” In July 2011, Dow Corning was among the first multinational companies to receive an “Outstanding Contribution Award for Regional Headquarters” from the Shanghai Pudong New Area Government.
Burks relocated from Seoul to Shanghai to become Vice President of Dow Corning Greater China in August 2009 and was later named Greater China President in April 2010. He currently leads the Greater China Council, which is responsible for developing and executing Dow Corning’s business strategies in China. Burks is also a Board member of Association of International Chemical Manufacturers (AICM), an organization that represents 50 major foreign investments in the chemical industry of China and promotes Responsible Care and other globally recognized chemical management principles among all the stakeholders.
“As an employee of Dow Corning, I’m proud to share our company’s best practices of Responsible Care to China’s chemical and especially silicone industry,” said Burks. “Being a member of Dow Corning Greater China leadership and Board of Directors with AICM, I’m fortunate to be given the opportunity to do such important work to help the industry in China to further develop Responsible Care.” Burks recently supported a training on Responsible Care to students at East China University of Science and Technology. The record of the training will be used as training course in universities and chemical manufacturing sites across China. Beyond that, Dow Corning has held a number of activities to promote Responsible Care including Safety Conference for China’s silicone industry, Responsible Care Forum, and so on. The Responsible Care® is the chemical industry’s unique global initiative that drives continuous improvement in environmental, health, safety and performance.
In his spare time, Burks is also the president of China Touch Association that works on Touch Rugby education and playing among organizations and residents in Shanghai and other areas in China. By playing and organizing Touch Rugby events, including the Shanghai International Touch Tournament, Burks reached out to more people in the region.
Dow Corning is a global leader in silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation. Headquartered in Shanghai, Dow Corning Greater China actively began its business activities in the region nearly 40 years ago and has invested more than US$1.5 billion in the country.
