2009 Secretary's Award for Corporate Excellence Finalists Selected

Office of the Spokesman

Washington, DC

October 1, 2009

Eleven finalists have been selected for the Secretary of State’s prestigious 2009 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE). These U.S. companies were chosen from 42 nominations submitted by American ambassadors around the world. ACE finalists are international business leaders who recognize the vital role that U.S. businesses play abroad as good corporate citizens. The eleven finalists for 2009 are:

• Chevron Corporation in the Philippines for supporting projects that address basic human needs, education, small business development, and the environment, establishing public-private partnerships, and donating funds towards research and training of infectious diseases;

• Cisco Systems in Lebanon for contributing to the overall growth and development of the local economy by empowering small and medium enterprises, supporting advances in science and technology by increasing access to the internet, and implementing innovative programs for Lebanese youth;

• Cummins in China for encouraging employees to participate in community improvement -- in 2008, more than three thousand employees supported more than 50 projects throughout China, providing emergency disaster relief and demonstrating a commitment to improve the environment;

• Intel Corporation in Costa Rica for its model business development efforts and exemplary promotion of volunteer service, demonstrating responsible environmental practices, raising the standards of supply chain management, and launching innovative science and technology programs;

• Marriott International in Jordan for its efforts promoting tourism in the region, advancing diversity in its Jordanian workforce, and fostering environmental stewardship by implementing substantial water conservation efforts;

• Officenet Staples in Argentina for fostering health, education and entrepreneurship as well as information-sharing initiatives, advancing energy-saving programs, and implementing a digital economy forum to share best practices;

• Oracle Corporation in Romania for its environmental stewardship efforts and exemplary employment practices which have contributed to the growth of the local economy, the rapid development of Romania's IT sector, and fostered computer skills, teamwork and international understanding;

• Protec in Vietnam for enhancing helmet and traffic safety, funding donations for children’s helmets and building awareness which helped lead to Vietnam’s implementation of mandatory helmet safety laws;

• TOMS Shoes in Argentina for providing a basic necessity--shoes--to disadvantaged people including children and disaster victims, and also providing for health needs by supporting vaccination and nutrition campaigns;

• Trilogy International Partners in Haiti for its positive impact on the Haitian economy and promoting education through diverse activities including youth rehabilitation programs, scholarships, internships, computer labs, sports programs, and the arts, and for its exemplary employment practices;

• White & Case LLP in Russia for supporting employee activism to improve their communities through efforts such as providing work placement opportunities for orphans and marginalized youths and advocating a strong legal system via a new generation of Russian lawyers with a commitment to pro bono work.

The Secretary of State has awarded the ACE since 1999 to recognize U.S. businesses for advancing good corporate citizenship, innovation, and democratic principles. The Department of State is committed to working with business to further these best practices worldwide and to recognize efforts to improve lives at home and abroad. The 2009 ACE winners will be announced at the annual ceremony hosted by the Secretary of State later this fall. For more information, please visit: http://www.state.gov/e/eb/ace/, or contact Kerry Humphrey, Senior Media Advisor, at Humphreyks@state.gov.