Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC November 3, 2005 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Announces Winners of Award for Corporate ExcellenceSecretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced November 2 that Cisco Systems in Jordan and Lapa Rios Ecolodge in Costa Rica are the winners of the 2005 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE), which is given to outstanding U.S.-owned firms operating overseas. The Lapa Rios Ecolodge, owned and operated by John and Karen Lewis, won the Award in the small-medium enterprise category. The Lodge focuses on eco-tourism and employs about 50 people. Secretary Rice said the Lodge is “a model of environmental stewardship and enlightened corporate leadership.” The second award was presented to Cisco Systems, Inc., for its work in Jordan. Cisco Systems was chosen for its “unprecedented contribution to education in Jordan,” said Secretary Rice. Cisco Systems has worked with King Abdullah and other public and private partners to develop the Jordan Education Initiative, she noted. This program, which uses online technology, is “revolutionizing how teachers are trained, how subjects are taught, and how students are prepared for the future,” the Secretary said. The two winners were chosen from a list of 10 finalists, selected October 7 by an interagency selection committee from a record number of 60 nominations of U.S. companies submitted by American Embassies around the world. The eight other finalists were: American Standard in Bulgaria, Merck in China, United Parcel Service in China, General Electric in Hungary, Chevron in Indonesia, Ford Motor Company in India, Intel in Malaysia, and Johnson Controls in Mexico. The Secretary of State has given the ACE since 1999 in recognition of the vital role that U.S. businesses play worldwide to advance outstanding corporate citizenship, innovation and exemplary international business practices, and to highlight the Department’s commitment to commercial diplomacy, business outreach, and the goal of promoting best business practices worldwide. 2005/1011 |