This is the first part of a series looking at business leaders and their charitable work. I want to explore how different leaders prioritize corporate social responsibility and business ethics. Accordingly, I am putting the spotlight on Jeff Bartel, a Miami entrepreneur and Managing Director of the Hamptons Group, who was appointed to the newly created position of Corporate Responsibility Officer for Florida Power and Light back in 2010 before these roles became standard in the corporate ecosystem.
I will cover some of the highlights from Jeff’s charitable work from 2006 to 2012 and plan to feature his charitable work from 2013 to 2022 in a future article.
Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions
In 2006, Jeff worked with Sarasota County officials to help them make a strong environmental commitment so Florida Power and Light (FPL) could build its first solar array. Sarasota County voted to allow one of its underused park locations to erect the solar array and was projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 680,000 pounds each year.
Building Energy-Efficient Homes
In 2007, Jeff Bartel helped Habitat for Humanity of Broward provide new energy-efficient homes as a part of FPL’s Buildsmart for Humanity program. In addition to making cash donations, Jeff arranged for Florida Power and Light employees to donate hundreds of person-hours to make the homeowners’ dreams come true.
Video on the Design of Energy Efficient Homes
Jeff Bartel and Miami Performing Arts Support
In 2007, Jeff Bartel was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts Trust (fka Carnival Center for the Performing Arts Trust). In selecting Jeff to the Board of Directors, the Carnival Center stated,
Jeff Bartel is currently vice president of corporate and external affairs for FPL, heading the company’s external business unit in Florida. Bartel joined FPL in 2004 after a successful career in private law practice and government service. During his years as an attorney, Bartel did extensive pro bono work in addition to work with the guardian ad litem program. Prior to practicing law, Bartel was chief of staff to U.S. Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart in Washington, D.C., and served as the senior aide to the Mayor of the City of Miami. A Miami native, Jeff Bartel is currently president and chairman of the board of trustees of Gulliver Schools, chairman of Leadership Florida, a life trustee of the Vizcaya Foundation, as well as an active member of the Orange Bowl Committee. He also serves on the board of Enterprise Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Beacon Council, and the United Way of Miami-Dade.
Fostering Alternative Energy Initiatives
In 2009, while Jeff was overseeing its corporate compliance, he helped foster and continue to forge the company’s strategic commitment to forward-thinking energy generation. This commitment led Florida Power and Light to change its name to NextEra Energy Resources to highlight the company’s growing role in the responsible alternative energy sector and demonstrate its progressive tack to the energy and utility sectors.
Jeff Bartel Named March of Dimes Humanitarian of the Year
In its December 2009 newsletter NextEra Energy and FPL highlighted Jeff’s charitable contributions,
Jeff Bartel, FPL Group vice president of Corporate Compliance, has been honored with the Humanitarian of the Year Award by the March of Dimes Florida Chapter. This leading nonprofit organization each year recognizes outstanding leaders — who are unaffiliated and not involved with the March of Dimes organization — for inspiring and impacting others in the state through their genuine commitments elsewhere. Jeff was honored for his sustained contributions and record of service on a statewide basis in business, education, health, and human services, and arts organizations; his recognized role as a statesman in Florida; demonstrated social and ethical responsibility in business, and his outstanding track record and high impact in his professional and community lives. “I am truly honored and humbled by this recognition,” he said, “and so very proud to work for a company as deeply committed to outstanding customer service and corporate social responsibility as FPL.”
Jeff Bartel Named Corporate Responsibility Officer
In 2010, while serving as Vice President of Compliance for Florida Power & Light at NextEra Energy, Jeff Bartel was appointed to a newly created top executive position of Vice President of Corporate Compliance at NextEra Energy and FPL and as NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s first Corporate Responsibility Officer. Jeff was tasked with overseeing FPL’s initiative on ethics and business conduct.
Jeff Bartel’s Support for the United Way of Miami-Dade County
In 2012, Jeff Bartel was named Co-Chair of Public Policy for the United Way of Miami-Dade County executive committee.
In 2012, while on its host committee, Jeff helped the Annual Mayor’s Ball for United Way of Miami-Dade raise $550,000 to benefit 120 social service programs in the community. Jeff Bartel’s former employer, NextEra Energy and FPL (Florida Power & Light), were also an event sponsor.
Past United Way of Miami-Dade County Mayor’s Balls
#The 21st Annual Mayor’s Ball #The 20th Annual Mayor’s Ball #The 19th Annual Mayor’s Ball
Supporting the Arsht Center
In addition to the 2012 Annual Mayor’s Ball, Jeff Bartel helped bring Harry Connick, Jr. to Miami to perform at the Arsht Center Gala. During that event, Gala Swanee and Paul DiMare announced the $1 million to the art center. The guest list for the gala included Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and celebrities including Christian Slater. Significant support was provided by The Miami Herald, Neiman Marcus Coral Gables, and other local businesses.
Jeff Bartel’s Recognition for Charity Work
Jeff Bartel has:
- Been awarded the March of Dimes Humanitarian of the Year Award
- Received the Harvard University Outstanding Volunteer Leadership Award
- Been recognized by Ronald McDonald House Charities Twelve Good Men in South Florida
- Received Keys to the City of Miami for extraordinary contributions and civic leadership
- Been awarded the United Way Starfish Award for volunteer leadership
Hamptons Group Ideals
Currently, Jeff Bartel is managing the Hamptons Group, which has offices in Miami and around the world. The Hamptons Group is committed to corporate responsibility, green investing, and ethical business practices.
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