IBM Retiree wins President’s Volunteer Service Award five years in a row

In the past five years, IBM Retiree Tom Trotter has volunteered over 5000 hours at 12 not-for-profit organizations. “Tom Trotter = Volunteer Extraordinaire!” explained Chris E. Wallace, President/CEO of the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce which awarded Trotter the Jennings Smith Community Volunteerism Award. This annual award recognizes the Irving, Texas, US citizen who most represents the spirit of volunteerism in the city. “I continue to be amazed at his commitment and passion toward assisting a diverse group of nonprofit organizations. As our Chamber’s Vice Chairman, Tom has provided valuable expertise on governance and best practices. He stresses the importance of managing our Chamber like a business so that our members (investors) receive a positive return on their investments.”

In his extensive volunteerism in strategic leadership roles, he has utilized many IBM Corporate Citizenship programs including On Demand Community, SME Toolkit, KidSmart, Reading Companion, and Traducelo Ahora – to name a few – and has been recognized locally and nationally for his efforts.

As an IBM employee and now as a retiree, Trotter logged his volunteer hours in IBM's On Demand Community web site, which provides volunteer solutions to use in community organizations and classrooms as well as the opportunity to apply for community grants for the organizations he serves. Over the years IBM has awarded cash and technology donations based on Trotter’s volunteer work

“I would have never been able to be so successful in my home town community without the innovative IBM solutions. The technology that IBM donated enhanced the productivity of the organizations. The leadership skills I learned at IBM facilitated my election to positions of influence in the nonprofit world. I can't imagine a richer retirement than one that is filled with the volunteerism I began at IBM,” stated Trotter.

Making a Difference for 10 Organizations

Trotter has also been recognized with the President’s Volunteer Service Award each year since 2005 and received IBM’s Diversity Executive of the Year award.

Trotter currently serves on the board of directors of the following organizations: American Institute of Diversity and Commerce, Asian Business News, Business News USA, Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Business Development Council, Irving Healthcare Foundation, Irving Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce, Minority Business News, SER National Jobs for Progress, Women’s Business Council Southwest, and Women’s Enterprise Magazine.

“We are fortunate to benefit from the volunteer leadership of Tom Trotter,” stated Debbie Hurst, President Women’s Business Council Southwest. “Tom has provided guidance and direction as an officer of our Executive Board of Directors throughout our 15 year history, and has provided particular guidance in areas including audit, compensation, and board governance. Through his active participation in the events and programs of the WBCS, Tom has demonstrated how corporate departments and employees outside of procurement and supplier diversity can utilize and support women business ownership. We thank Tom for understanding what real support and guidance mean to a nonprofit organization, and for setting such a fine example for his corporate peers to follow.”

IBM is marking its centennial year with a worldwide celebration of volunteer service. Throughout 2011, IBM invites everyone to join our global community of employees, retirees, families and friends as we support the communities where we work, live and learn together.