The Eastman Chemical Company Political Action Committee (also known as "EastmanPAC"), is a voluntary group of participants, made up of concerned employees and Eastman directors. Participants in EastmanPAC must be U.S. citizens or legal aliens holding Alien Registration Receipt Cards (green cards).
Through personal contributions to EastmanPAC, state and federal candidates, political action committees and political party committees in the U.S. are supported. EastmanPAC is a separate, segregated fund that complies with the Federal Election Campaign Act, as amended, and all state and federal election laws and regulations.
Every dollar contributed to EastmanPAC goes directly to supporting political candidates. Personal political preferences of Eastman executives, directors, and employees play no part whatsoever in decisions involving political contributions. Campaign contributions are never made in return for, or in anticipation of, an official act.
The Company defrays all costs and expenses, as allowed by law, associated with operating EastmanPAC.
EastmanPAC is governed and overseen by an Executive Board comprised of members of the Company's Executive Team. The EastmanPAC Advisory Council (the "Council"), composed of a diverse group of Eastman employees, provides input to the Executive Board on company priorities, contribution recommendations, and final approval of the PAC budget. Ex officio members include employees of the Government Affairs team. The Council officers include a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. The Council is empowered to annually review and approve the candidates and/or political committees that EastmanPAC supports. EastmanPAC Advisory Council officers receive monthly reports on the status of political contributions.
The Council evaluates all candidates on a bipartisan basis, basing its giving decisions on a number of factors, most importantly the policy stances of individual candidates. Strong consideration is also given to those who share Eastman's corporate values and our commitment to drive positive change in our communities.
- Eastman's presence in a candidate's state/district
- Demonstrates a commitment to supporting manufacturing and the chemical industry
- Key committee member or thought leader on issues of importance to Eastman
- House and Senate Leadership
- Alignment with Eastman's public policy priorities
All proposed U.S. political contributions by EastmanPAC are first reviewed by the Eastman Government Affairs team, which makes recommendations to the Vice President, Corporate Affairs for approval and submission on an annual basis to the Executive Board and the EastmanPAC Advisory Council. The Government Affairs team reports the political contributions made during each month to the EastmanPAC Advisory Council officers. The Vice President, Corporate Affairs is responsible for management of the political contribution budget on an ongoing basis.
Approved EastmanPAC contributions are submitted to the EastmanPAC Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer for disbursement and are publicly disclosed to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in monthly filings.