For Immediate Release: May 24, 2007
Contact: Charlie Skuba/Matt Englehart  (202) 482-3809

U.S. Organizations and Trade Specialists Recognized at the White House

On May 24 th Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined President Bush at the White House to present eleven American organizations with the Presidential “E” Award for excellence in exporting. The organizations receiving the President’s “E” Award were not the only ones recognized however. The outstanding Commercial Service Trade Specialists who assisted each company in their success were also invited to take part in this momentous occasion.

Director General Israel Hernandez and Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez prepare to present the “E” Awards

The day began at the Department of Commerce Herbert C. Hoover building where Director General Israel Hernandez and Deputy Assistant Secretary Colleen Litkenhaus welcomed the recipients and their Trade Specialists to Washington, DC. This marked the first time in sixteen years that the Presidential “E” Award recipients were invited to the White House, and a palpable sense of excitement could be felt amongst the group.

Secretary Gutierrez presents an “E” Award to Sign-a-Rama and Trade Specialist Kathryn Dye

Secretary Gutierrez presented “E” Awards to each of the organizations and Trade Specialists in the historic India Treaty room. “Each of these "E" award companies are helping to grow new markets around the world and I commend them for contributing to last year’s record of $1.4 trillion in goods and services exports. Last year, the growth rate of exports outpaced the growth rate of imports for the first time in nearly a decade,” said Gutierrez. “In order to remain competitive, American companies need to expand their access to foreign markets.”

Hytrol Conveyor Company and Trade Specialist Ray Riggs are recognized

Following the awards presentation, representatives from each organization were invited to visit with President George W. Bush in the Oval Office. The President wanted to personally recognize these outstanding U.S. exporters for their international success and contribution to the U.S. economy. Each recipient had the opportunity to meet the President before he shared some personal insight into life at the White House. He thanked each organization and then got together with the group for a photo opportunity.

President George W. Bush hosts “E Award” recipients in the Oval Office

In total, eight organizations were recognized with Export Achievement Awards, while an additional three were presented with E-Star awards. The “E” Award is the highest honor the federal government can give to an American exporting organization. The award serves to recognize U.S. firms for their competitive achievements in world markets and their part in increasing U.S. exports abroad. This marks the 45 th Anniversary of the Presidential E-Award created by President John F. Kennedy in 1961.

Trade Specialists and “E” Award Recipients:

Kathryn Dye , Sign-a-Rama, Inc., West Palm Beach, Fla.

Antonio Ceballos , Numonics Corporation, Montgomeryville, Pa.

Jayne Woodword , Hydra Platforms Manufacturing, Inc., Rock Hill, S.C.

Sharon Bongiovanni , Gerber Technology, Tollant, Conn.

Bill Burwell , Maryland Port Administration, Baltimore, Md.

Susan Whitney , Nylonge Company, Elyria, Ohio

David Spann , Mallory Alexander International Logistics, Memphis, Tenn.

Ray Riggs , Hytrol Conveyor Company, Inc., Jonesboro, Ark.

Carmela Mammas , Pharmaceutical Innovations, Newark, N.J.

Tom Strauss , Georgia Department of Economic Development, Atlanta, Ga.

Susan Whitney, Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio