by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Just in time for Earth Day, Anheuser-Busch debuted four new national television commercials that show employees discussing their commitment to the environment.
And, you just might recognize a couple of the faces.
Two Jacksonville employees, Senior Manager of Operations Angie Williams-Hollowell and Environmental Health and Safety Manager Kimberly Stockdale, are two of the four featured representatives who discuss some of the brewer’s work practices and how they aid the environment.
“The story we’re telling has been going on for about 30 years,” said Williams-Hollowell. “We see firsthand the benefit of the jobs we do.”
Within the commercial, Williams-Hollowell talks about her position as she supervises some of the environmentally friendly activities the plant takes part in like recycling pallets, cans, bottles, paper products and plastics used in everyday brewing and distributing.
She also oversees the Bio-Energy Recovery Systems, which uses nutrients in leftover water from the brewing process and turns them into renewable fuel. This process, said Williams-Hollowell, provides up to 15 percent of the fuel needs for brewing operations.
Ensuring such ecofriendly processes isn’t extra-curricular, either. It’s a part of everyday business and is worked into the budget, said Williams-Hollowell.
Like Williams-Hollowell’s commercial, Stockdale’s also goes into some detail about her side of the environmentally friendly functions of her job for the Northside brewer.
“It really is an honor to represent the company like this,” said Stockdale, whose job entails ensuring the Jacksonville facility adheres to Environmental Protection Agency and federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance.
“It’s been an ongoing process to remain at the forefront of being environmentally friendly,” said Stockdale.
Currently, she said, the plant recycles 99 percent of the solid waste it creates and also reuses 70 percent of its wastewater.
Before the commercial, neither of the two had any screen credits to their name, but the selection process of who was to star in the commercials came down to knowledge and experience.
“I had intimate knowledge of the Bio-Energy Recovery Systems technology in Houston,” said Williams-Hollowell, noting her experience with the brewer’s plant in Texas. “Budweiser is nicknamed the ‘King of Beers’ and people joked that I was the ‘Queen of BERS’.”
Stockdale began as an intern with the company in Missouri and worked in several cities in a variety of environmental roles.
Both said they were excited for their friends and family to see the national commercial, but admitted they were also nervous.
“Oh yeah,” said Stockdale, when asked about her nervousness. “The whole process was unbelievable, but the crew helped settle my nerves after a while.”
Williams-Hollowell had done different in-house videos but nothing that was going to air nationally.
“I understand the whole thing now about how television adds 15 pounds,” she said, laughing. “I was a little nervous, but the atmosphere was laid back and relaxed.”
Their efforts in assisting the environment stretch past their professional careers and into their home life, as both said they do their part.
“I feel like I’m kind of a nerd,” said Williams-Hollowell, when discussing her pro-environment actions.
Both said they recycle plastics, glass bottles and cans daily. Williams-Hollowell even uses things such as coffee grounds as compost and Stockdale carpools with her husband when possible.
“People don’t realize it but even the little things make a big difference,” said Stockdale.
The 30-second commercials featuring the two debuted Monday and will air on several stations, including several prominent sports stations.
To see the ads online, go to www.ourpledge.com.