NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Secretary Clinton Presents Awards for Corporate Excellence

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on December 9 presented TOMS Shoes in Argentina and Voila - Communication Cellulaire d'Haiti (Trilogy International Partners) with the Secretary of State's 2009 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE). The ACE is given annually to U.S.-owned businesses that exhibit good corporate citizenship, promote innovation, and advance democratic principles around the world.

This year's small or medium-sized company winner is TOMS Shoes in Argentina. TOMS Shoes was chosen for providing a basic necessity - shoes - to disadvantaged people including children and disaster victims, aiding in the prevention of foot-borne infections, and providing mobility for children to obtain education. TOMS Shoes exemplifies U.S. volunteerism and demonstrates best practices in supplier management.

This year's winner in the multinational category is Voila - Communication Cellulaire d'Haiti (Trilogy International Partners). Trilogy International Partners was chosen for its positive impact on the Haitian economy through exemplary employment practices and its promotion of education through youth rehabilitation programs, scholarships, internships, computer labs, sports, and arts programs.

The two winners were chosen from 11 finalists. The nine other finalists were Chevron Corporation in the Philippines, Cisco Systems in Lebanon, Cummins in China, Intel Corporation in Costa Rica, Marriott International in Jordan, Officenet Staples in Argentina, Oracle Corporation in Romania, Protec in Vietnam, and White & Case LLP in Russia.

Since 1999, the Secretary of State has conferred the ACE on U.S. businesses that meet diverse needs, in diverse communities, through activities in every region of the world. The Department of State is committed to working with the business community to further their best practices worldwide and to encourage efforts that improve lives at home and abroad. For more information, please visit: http://www.state.gov/e/eeb/ace/

Source: U.S. Department of State