United States Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Office of Asset Enterprise Management

Environmental Affairs - Greening VA - Highlights

Making History...

2006 White House Closing the Circle Awardees
History was made when all three Federal Environmental Executives (FEEs) —the Nation’s top environmental stewards appointed since 1993 by Presidents Clinton and Bush—gathered to present the 2006 White House Closing the Circle Awards. Pictured with the members of the VA Federal Electronics Challenge Team and Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management senior managers are: Fran McPoland, the first FEE appointed by President Clinton in 1993 (fourth from right); John Howard, appointed by President Bush in 2002 (far left); and, Edwin Pinero, the current FEE, appointed by President Bush in 2004 (third from right). For more information about the White House Closing the Circle Awards Program select here.

At a ceremony at the White House Eisenhower Executive Office Building on June 12, 2006, Mr. Edwin Pinero, the Federal Environmental Executive, presented the VA Federal Electronics Challenge Team with a White House Closing the Circle Award for Electronics Stewardship.  VA is the only Cabinet-level Department to have achieved Gold Level Partner status for Fiscal Year 2005 in the Federal Electronics Challenge (FEC). 

The award recognizes VA’s commitment to managing its electronic assets in an environmentally sound and energy efficient manner throughout their life cycle.  The VA Illiana Health Care System in Danville, Illinois, received a Bronze Level Partner award in the FEC in May at the Federal Environmental Symposium. 

Earlier in the year, three VA facilities earned awards in the first Electronics Reuse and Recycling Challenge, sponsored by the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive.  Access the “Awards” page to read more about these awards.   

The FEC is a voluntary program that promotes a Federal Government-wide strategy for the purchase of “green” electronics; conservation of energy during use; and reuse and recycling of electronics at their end of life.  Access the “Federal Electronics Challenge“ page to learn more about the FEC and how VA facilities can participate.