Aaron Miner of Morris Accepts US President's Volunteer Service Award for LyondellBasell

MORRIS, Ill. – March 20, 2017 – LyondellBasell employee Aaron Miner understands the value of committing his time and energy to Junior Achievement (JA). A graduate of the JA program himself, Miner is the operations manager at the company’s Morris, Illinois, Complex. He said in a different world, he would have switched career paths from engineering to teaching.

"Even though I chose the technical route, Junior Achievement allows me the opportunity to get into the classroom and teach," said Miner, who has contributed 50 hours of volunteer time to the organization. "The lessons taught to the students reinforce and supplement their school curriculum in the areas of business knowledge, problem solving skills, and entrepreneurial spirit."

Junior Achievement USA honored LyondellBasell, one of the world's largest plastics, chemical and refining companies, with the U.S. President's Volunteer Service Bronze Award for donating over 5,000 volunteer hours to Junior Achievement in the 2015-2016 school year. Miner accepted the award on behalf of the company at a special event held in New York on March 7, 2017. This is the second year LyondellBasell has received the U.S. President's Volunteer Service Award. More than 200 LyondellBasell employees from across the country served as JA volunteers last year.

"Aaron Miner exemplifies the power of Junior Achievement. As a former Junior Achievement participant, Aaron received the knowledge and skills needed to plan for the future, and now he is a leader at LyondellBasell and in his community," said Bob Patel, LyondellBasell's CEO and Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas board member. "Part of our company's mission is to be a good neighbor in the communities where we operate. Our partnership with Junior Achievement provides the opportunity for our employees around the country to make a meaningful contribution that has the potential to change a student's life for the better."

For Miner, experiencing both sides of the JA curriculum, as an instructor and former student, provided a lasting foundation and passion for volunteering. Miner recalls his JA instructor as a youth, the local banker from his hometown of Racine, Wisconsin.  His instructor taught about how banks work and money management. The financial skills provided then have held a lasting impression now as an adult.

"Seeing someone like that volunteer definitely plants the seed for you to give back to your community when you are in a similar position in life," said Miner. "The lessons that banker taught me made me think about money management and making good financial decisions early in life to position myself for the future."

LyondellBasell Morris Complex volunteers have served as JA instructors for over 1300 students from Galloway and Pioneer Path Elementary Schools in Channahon and Coal City Elementary School in Coal City.

Miner is hoping he too will make that same lasting impression on his students the way his hometown banker did on him.

"I enjoy receiving thank you notes from the students with hand colored pictures," said Miner. "Those notes show me that they were listening and taking in the material, which I find very exciting."

President George W. Bush established the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers make in communities and to encourage more people to serve. The Council created the President's Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. In 2006, Junior Achievement became an official certifying organization for this award, which recognizes corporations with a U.S. presence that provide volunteers to teach JA programs anywhere in the world.

Aaron Miner, operations manager of LyondellBasell's Morris, Illinois, Complex, accepts the US President's Volunteer Service Award from Jack E. Kosakowski, Junior Achievement USA President and CEO, for the company's donation of more than 5,000 volunteer hours to JA programs.

Media Contact: Megan Borchers O: 815-942-7474 C: 815-210-1980 megan.borchers@lyb.com