Foundation

Our Mission: Engage business to create and support innovative programs and projects along the central Gulf Coast that demonstrate best environmental practices to enhance the natural resources that make our area a unique and desirable place to live, work and raise a family.Our Mission: Engage business to create and support innovative programs and projects along the central Gulf Coast that demonstrate best environmental practices to enhance the natural resources that make our area a unique and desirable place to live, work and raise a family.

PEP Gulf Coast Environmental Foundation (PEP-GCEF) is a new 501(c)(3) charitable organization created to develop innovative projects and solutions to support and enhance the environmental stewardship of local business and community leaders along the central Gulf Coast. PEP-GCEF will work closely with Partners for Environmental Progress (PEP) to achieve their mutual missions.

Why establish a separate 501(c)(3)?

Eligibility to receive grants on the federal, state, or local level and tax-deductible charitable contributions from foundations, businesses and individuals, all of which require the 501(c)(3) status.
Increase opportunities for partnerships with all businesses, organizations and agencies who share the PEP and PEP-GCEF vision.
Neutrality from private interests, lobbying and political affiliations to serve the greater good while supporting job creation, industrial growth and a healthy environment.
Provides PEP members and other local businesses and industry leaders an opportunity to expand their environmental impact and public awareness of those efforts.

Collaboration between PEP and PEP-GCEF

PEP member companies and organizations are our community’s leading businesses committed to environmental stewardship. Representing two hundred plus local member companies, PEP works with business leaders, elected officials, community members, government agencies and environmental management organizations. PEP’s public engagement has earned its reputation as a leader in environmental stewardship for more than 21 years.

PEP-GCEF will have access to the expansive network of PEP members and relationships. PEP-GCEF has a separate Board of Directors, with the day-to-day operations conducted by the PEP staff. Tom Bramlett, OEC, Inc., currently serves as the President of the PEP-GCEF Board of Directors

Future Programs and Projects

Growing the PEP Science and Technology Scholarship Fund: Though newly formed, the PEP-GCEF leadership successfully launched a fundraising campaign for the PEP Science and Technology Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of South Alabama. In 2021, we increased the annual scholarship award by more than 150% to $2500 for a current college or graduate student meeting certain criteria. The next goal is to increase the number of annual scholarships for students earning degrees in science, engineering and environmental fields.

Currently, the PEP-GCEF Board is working to identify projects and programs that provide solutions to real-world problems. Current topics include pairing industrial and community recycling resources; promoting entrepreneurial competitions to identify solutions to environmental problems; and develop future leaders committed to environmental best practices through special education and volunteer opportunities.

PEP-GCEF Board of Directors

Tom Bramlett, President

Tom Bramlett, co-owner of OEC, Inc., was the founding president of the PEP Board of Directors and continued to serve on the PEP Board until he resigned to lead the formation of the PEP-GCEF.

Tom Jones, Treasurer/Secretary

Tom Jones has been an active PEP member for more than ten years. He is currently with Core Industries.

Jay Burdette

Jay Burdette is retired from Alabama Power Company. During his tenure as plant manager at Alabama Power Company, Jay was a strong supporter of PEP.

Gary Criscione

Gary Criscione is retired from Evonik, Inc. He is a Past President of the PEP Board.

Allan Gustin, PEP Board Representative

As a past president of the PEP Board, Allan currently serves as the PEP representative on the PEP-GCEF Board.

Jennifer Denson, ex officio

Jennifer Denson is the PEP Executive Director.

Questions? Visit pepmobile.org/foundation or contact: