On June 6, 2024, the Texas Chemistry Alliance (TCA) presented Formosa Plastics Corporation, Texas with the Outstanding Owner Award at the Moody Gardens Convention Center in Galveston, Texas. The Outstanding Owner Award is a special award established by the TCA Board of Directors when there is an owner company or organization that has demonstrated leadership and strong support for TCA, and has contributed to the success of the TCA organization.
Texas Chemistry Alliance President & CEO Hector Rivero said, "The Texas Chemistry Alliance (TCA) Board wanted to recognize Formosa for their strong support of TCA and their active engagement at TCA industry events in the South Texas region."
Additionally, the Texas Chemistry Council (TCC) presented Formosa Plastics with the Caring for Texas Award (more than 501 employees category). The TCC Caring for Texas awards' program promotes continuous improvement by the chemical industry in community awareness, emergency response, security, and pollution prevention. The program provides recognition for member facilities, such as Formosa Plastics, that during the previous calendar year, have achieved exemplary results and demonstrated a strong commitment to their employees and their community. Please visit the TCC website for more information: https://texaschemistry.org/aws/TCC/pt/sp/TCC_industry_recognition
The Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce awarded Man of the Year to Oscar Padron for his steadfast and sincere commitment to the community.
The Chamber also awarded Nonprofit of the Year to the Sportsmen's for Charity Club for contributing to the betterment of the community by generously supporting various local nonprofit organizations.
Stated by Chamber Executive Tania French at the Port Lavaca Chamber Dinner:
Throughout the years, Oscar has become a beacon of support for local nonprofits and individuals, generously devoting his time and talents. Notably, his contributions have been instrumental in the success of community events like the Hardhead Derby and the Formosa Hook & Cook for Charity Fishing Tournament. In addition, he's often spotted cooking for fundraisers or crafting items to aid causes. Oscar remains a constant presence in the community, diligently supporting nonprofits from behind the scenes, preferring the shadows over the spotlight. Oscar's unwavering availability, coupled with his genuine care for the community, makes him the go-to person in times of need and truly deserving of this year's Man of the Year Award.
Stated by Chamber Executive Tania French at the Port Lavaca Chamber Dinner:
For the past four years, the Sportsmen's for Charity Club has been the driving force behind the Formosa Hook & Cook for Charity Fishing Tournament. Each year the tournament has experienced significant growth, injecting thousands of dollars into the local community and attracting sponsors from across the nation. Through funds raised, the club actively contributes to the betterment of the community by generously supporting various local nonprofit organizations.
On March 19, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Texas hosted the Director General Yvonne Hsiao from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Houston, Texas, as well as her staff and other local elected officials. This was to celebrate the expansion of the Taiwan Centers for Mandarin Learning (TCML) program.
Formosa Plastics Group Vice Chairwoman Susan Wang and Formosa Plastics Corporation, Texas New Business Development Vice President Jack Wu helped start the learning program 35 years ago. Wang had a vision of sharing Taiwan culture and language with the communities in which the company operates and the local community has been supportive. Culture and language classes began at Travis Middle School for children and then moved to the Comfort Community Church in Port Lavaca, Texas. Now TCML is encouraging adults to participate. Classes are open to the public on Sundays at the church and Formosa is participating and testing a pilot program at its Point Comfort, Texas site.
Mandarin is a widely used and influential language around the world. The demand and need for language instruction in Europe and the United States is increasing. The U.S. State Department announced the National Security Language Initiative for Youth emphasizing an increase in Mandarin learning opportunities. The U.S. and Taiwan Education Initiative was signed in December 2020. The Overseas Community Affairs Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education have established a negotiation and cooperation model with the American Institute in Taiwan to start bilateral language cooperation. Mandarin is Taiwan’s native tongue and Formosa supports Taiwan’s traditions and culture. Currently, there are 66 Taiwan Centers for Learning in the United States and 84 globally. TECO has a goal of establishing 100 Centers by 2025.
- Donates Nintendo Switch™ Systems to eSports Program at Calhoun County High School
- Provides Expertise and Guidance for Two New IT Courses Offered This Year
MARCH 1, 2024, POINT COMFORT, TEXAS – Formosa Plastics Corporation, Texas is collaborating with Calhoun County Independent School District’s (CCISD) Partners in Education (PIE) to enhance Information Technology (IT) education for students. Formosa Plastics is sponsoring a new eSports program that CCISD launched this year by donating Nintendo Switch™ systems and a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Game. Additionally, Formosa is providing expertise and guidance to the CCISD’s Career and Technical Education Department for two new Information Technology courses that are being offered at Calhoun High School this year.
The two IT courses offered this year at Calhoun High School are Principles of IT and Computer Maintenance. Students enrolled in the courses will be training towards certifications for IT Fundamentals Pro and A+. Training students with industry-recognized certifications gives them options for their future. For example, they can take their certifications and enter directly into the workforce, they can continue training towards higher-level certifications, and/or they build upon their knowledge by pursuing a post-secondary degree.
CCISD Superintendent Evan Cardwell, said, “We are continually evaluating student interests, new programs and local workforce trends to ensure our students are developing the skills they need to be successful. We appreciate Formosa's sponsorship of the eSports club and their input towards developing a high school IT training and certification program that prepares students for the next step in their journey. The new IT training pathway and eSports club is a win-win for students and employers.”
Esports or electronic sports is a form of competition using computer technology and strategy in a gaming environment. It primarily involves teams competing against each other in tournaments for a prize.
Formosa Plastics Information Technology Director Roger Morris, who also has participated in eSports, said, “Supporting the eSports club is an important component of a larger vision. Esports is a fun way for students to exercise strategic thinking, engage in team work and further develop technical skills. We see a correlation between our employees who work in information technology and eSports, so supporting this new program seemed like a natural fit and great opportunity for future collaborations. We are pleased to join with CCISD and are also working with other educational partners to benefit the region.”
CCISD Technology eSports Leader Andrew Camacho said, “Esports is more than a game. The first year will be focused on establishing the club and getting the students familiar with the competitive gaming environment to prepare them for tournaments and leagues. Additionally, we plan to use a variety of technical skills by filming and editing videos of the participants, commentating and creating graphics. It’s an exciting venture centered around eSports but will encompass so much more. I appreciate the school board and Formosa Plastics for supporting the implementation of eSports at Calhoun High School.”
CCISD Superintendent Evan Cardwell said, “The skills, knowledge and experiences obtained from the new courses and eSports program is just the first step in a multifaceted approach to support careers in information technology. We believe that students who participate on the eSports team will have interest in learning about IT as a career, and vice versa. I can see a lot of alignment between the two new programs. We are excited to offer this new career pathway to our students and community.”
About Formosa Plastics
Founded in 1978, Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A. (Formosa Plastics) is a growing, vertically-integrated supplier of plastic resins and petrochemicals. The private U.S. company has annual revenues of more than $6 billion. The manufacturing site in Texas employs more than 2,500 full-time employees and 1,000 full-time contractors who operate more than 20 production units.
Formosa Plastics offers a full line of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene and polypropylene resins, caustic soda and other petrochemicals that deliver the consistency, performance and quality that customers demand. It markets polypropylene and polyethylene resins under the Formolene® trade name; and markets its suspension PVC and specialty (dispersion) PVC resins under the Formolon® trade name. It is certified to the ISO 9001 quality management system and the ISO 14001 environmental management system.
About CCISD Partners in Education
Partners in Education is committed to supporting the CCISD Board of Trustees in achieving academic excellence by exploring, challenging, and striving to exceed the best educational practices through a broad based and constructive partnership with local industry, business and community. Also, Partners in Education is dedicated to improve public confidence in the local school system and to develop a highly competent pool of graduates to immediately enter the workforce or to pursue higher education.