Dennis Treacy, the Chief Sustainability Officer for Smithfield Foods, is the recipient of the 2013 Gerald P. McCarthy Award for Leadership in Environmental Conflict Resolution. Mr. Treacy exemplifies this award in his behind the scenes work to protect the environment through collaborative approaches, at both Smithfield Foods and Virginiaforever, for which he currently serves on the Board of Directors.
Dennis Treacy is regarded as a highly influential leader who has collaborated with diverse stakeholders to change the face of corporate responsibility in Virginia. At Smithfield Foods, he has worked to transform Smithfield into a leader in sustainability best practices by helping the company adopt a formal Corporate Social Responsibility Plan. Before his tenure at Smithfield, he was Director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, where he brought together business, environmental groups, and the public to address issues of mutual importance. He draws from these experiences as a tireless advocate on behalf of Virginiaforever, an organization that advocates for funding for land preservation and water quality. Mr. Treacy often speaks about “The Virginia Way,” which is, in his words, about encouraging people and corporations to think outside the box and collaborate. Dennis Treacy practices “The Virginia Way” every day, which is why he is the recipient of the 2013 McCarthy Award.