TORRANCE, Calif., July 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Toyota
U.S.A. Foundation has a new
leader. Longtime Toyota veteran and community activist Michael Rouse, who currently serves as vice
president of diversity, philanthropy and community affairs, is now president of the
Foundation. Rouse assumes this new role in addition to his
current responsibilities.
The Toyota U.S.A. Foundation
was established in 1987 in celebration of Toyota's 30th anniversary
in the United States. Currently endowed at over $100
million, the Toyota U.S.A.
Foundation has contributed over $52
million in support of K-12 math, science and environmental
science academic education programs.
"Michael brings a fresh perspective to the foundation with vast
philanthropic experience," said Latondra
Newton, chief corporate social responsibility officer of
Toyota North America. "His valuable insight will enhance
Toyota's impact in the communities it serves and further establish
Toyota as a leading contributor to society."
Over the years, Rouse has been at the forefront of dynamic
community programs such as Toyota Driving Expectations, a defensive
driving course for teens and their parents, and 100 Cars for Good,
a national social media-based vehicle donation program. He
was also a crucial part of the donation and display of the Toyota
Tundra used to tow the Space Shuttle Endeavour at the California
Science Center.
As Toyota's champion for diversity and inclusion, Rouse is also
focused on internal development, business partnering groups and
diversifying the Toyota and Lexus dealer network.
Rouse has received numerous accolades for his community service,
including the Spirit of Life Award from the City of Hope; the
Philanthropy Leadership Award from Cedars Sinai Medical Center; and
Alumni of the Year from California State
University Dominguez Hills School of Business and Public
Policy.
Rouse currently serves on the boards of trustees of the
California Science Center Foundation; the Torrance Cultural Arts
Foundation; the Torrance Memorial Medical Center Foundation; Stop
Cancer; California State University, Dominguez
Hills Foundation; the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; the
Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. He is on the advisory boards
of the Torrance Education Foundation; the Manhattan Beach Education
Foundation, and is part of the Executive Leadership Team of the
American Heart Association.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM), the world's top
automaker and creator of the Prius, is committed to building
vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota, Lexus and
Scion brands. Over the past 50 years, we've built more than 25
million cars and trucks in North
America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10
in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 40,000 people (more than
32,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (1,500 in
the U.S.) sold more than 2.5 million cars and trucks (more than 2.2
million in the U.S.) in 2013 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota
vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road
today.
Toyota partners with philanthropic organizations across the
country, with a focus on education, safety and the environment. As
part of this commitment, we share the company's extensive know-how
garnered from building great cars and trucks to help community
organizations and other nonprofits expand their ability to do good.
For more information about Toyota, visit
www.toyotanewsroom.com.
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SOURCE Toyota