Author: Carter LeCraw, CEO, American Values Investments Inc
Covestor model: American Heroes
Disclosure: None
American Hero companies are composed of dedicated individuals who are helping America in a big way. They embody the values upon which America was founded and are helping to improve our standing as a “City upon a hill” at home and abroad. By owning their stock, investors partner with them in fulfilling this vital vision for our country.
One such company, ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM), is not only consciously focused on the important American value of Integrity, they are also quick to give it much credit for their success. The “subtle” clue I got was on page one of their most recent Annual Report. The whole page was dedicated to Integrity.
Given the Valdez oil spill of 1989, one might ask, “How could ExxonMobil rate as an American Hero Company?” or “How could the company dare espouse the virtue of Integrity?” No company is perfect; all make mistakes, sometimes big ones. The real question is whether there is true repentance and reform. In this this case, it appears there was heartfelt change. Their story of being embarrassed and humbled is shared on their web site.
Thank you, ExxonMobil, for your courageous efforts to verbalize and incorporate into your culture the critical American value of Integrity.
Carter LeCraw, CEO,
American Values Investments, Inc.
Sources:
“City upon a Hill” American Values Investments. http://www.americanvalues.com/insideavicompanyoverviewfoundationjohnwinthrop.html
“2010 Summary Annual Report” ExxonMobil [PDF]. http://www.exxonmobil.com/Corporate/Files/news_pubs_sar_2010.pdf
“The Valdez Oil Spill” ExxonMobil. http://www.exxonmobil.com/Corporate/about_issues_valdez.aspx
