BBVA Compass Named Presenting Sponsor Of Cross-Country Bike Ride, Charity Campaign

Pursuit, conceived and brought to life by Houston energy executive David Baldwin, is an epic journey that seeks to raise $11 million for The Center, a nonprofit organization that has been serving Houston for more than six decades. The bank said its partnership with Pursuit is the perfect embodiment of its Bright Futures campaign and its 10 bright principles, which articulate its desire to give everyone it reaches a roadmap to a brighter future. 

The bank debuted a poignant video featuring Baldwin and clients of The Center that focuses attention on a population in need, their personal stories of inspiration, and how Pursuit is making a difference in their lives. Watch it at BBVABright.com/Pursuit. 

"We are proud to support Pursuit and Houston's own David Baldwin, who personifies the notion of living bright as he embarks on the cross-country bike of a lifetime — all for a cause that has no boundaries," said BBVA Compass Chief Marketing and Digital Sales Officer Jennifer Kelly Dominiquini. "His 3,500-mile two-wheeled trek to raise money for The Center supports our own mission of building a brighter future for everyone. We'll be cheering him along every step of the way — because together we're making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities." 

The ride across 11 states begins June 6 in Astoria, Ore., and will conclude Aug. 3 in Delaware. Riders will pass through Portland, Boise, Yellowstone National Park, Badlands National Park, the Twin Cities, Madison, Chicago, Cleveland and Pittsburgh before ending near Washington, D.C. Others are encouraged to join the effort by biking with the team along three scenic "ride-along" legs: Jackson, Wyo., to Badlands National Park (560 miles); St. Paul, Minn., to Chicago (500 miles); and Pittsburgh to northern Maryland (165 miles).

The team of cyclists traveling with Baldwin on his trip will sport jerseys that feature BBVA Compass' logo and distinctive blue ombre color scheme, along with the #LiveBright hashtag for the Bright Futures initiative. BBVA Compass will host a series of #LiveBright pop-up celebrations along the route to bring national awareness to the cause. Simple, a member of the BBVA family of businesses, will be the site of the ride's first event in Portland, Ore.

"Everybody agreed that what David is doing for The Center was something we needed to get behind and support in a big way," said BBVA Compass Head of Global Wealth for Houston Karen Dixon. "I'm looking forward to seeing David Baldwin accomplish this crazy goal. He set forth to do more than most ever imagine."

Cyclists will also stop at similar nonprofit agencies in cities along the route to share best practices, raise awareness and jumpstart a national effort to raise more attention and resources for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Other top-level sponsors of the effort include PwC and SCF Partners.

"PwC Houston is proud to be one of the title sponsors of Pursuit," said Niloufar Molavi, PwC's Vice Chair, US Energy Leader and Greater Houston Market Managing Partner. "PwC offers an inclusive environment in which people of all abilities can contribute their unique perspectives, talents and skills in a way that brings value to our people, the firm and our clients.

"While our disability initiatives provide our people with the tools they need to build relationships across differences, programs alone aren't enough. Inclusive environments are created through countless daily interactions. Pursuit riders will engage with communities across the nation to raise national awareness around adults with disabilities. We wholeheartedly support The Center's mission and are excited to cheer on David and all participants."  

Other major sponsors are TNT Crane; First Reserve; Latham & Watkins; Lionstone; Midway Foundation; Trek Travel; ttweak; Chi-Omega Alumnae; The Catalyst Group; Avalon Advisors; McGriff, Seibels & Williams, Inc.; Wells Fargo; Schnake Turnbo Frank; and EOG Resources.

Other supporting sponsors include Comcast; Baylor College of Medicine; Vinson & Elkins; Arch-Con; Gensler; Mustang CAT; and Noisemaker Communications.

Contributors also include Air Liquide; Gardere; Indumar; Texas Children's Hospital; Bike Barn; Sterling Associates; Bracewell; MML Capital; Axel Vervoordt USA LLC; Chevron; and Labrada Nutrition.

For more information, visit www.pursuitride.org.

About BBVA Compass

BBVA Compass is a Sunbelt-based financial institution that operates 674 branches, including 345 in Texas, 89 in Alabama, 75 in Arizona, 62 in California, 45 in Florida, 38 in Colorado and 20 in New Mexico, and commercial and private client offices throughout the U.S. BBVA Compass ranks among the top 25 largest U.S. commercial banks based on deposit market share and ranks among the largest banks in Alabama (2nd), Texas (4th) and Arizona (4th). BBVA Compass recently earned top nods for best mobile app and best regional bank in the South & West in Money magazine's annual list of the Best Banks in America. Additional information about BBVA Compass can be found at bbvacompass.com, by following @BBVACompassNews on Twitter or visiting newsroom.bbvacompass.com.  

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SOURCE BBVA Compass

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