Secretary Gina Raimondo Presents Presidential Awards for Export Excellence to U.S. Businesses and Manufacturers

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo hosted the 61st President’s “E” and “E Star” Awards ceremony at the Herbert C. Hoover Building, where she presented 19 U.S. companies and organizations with the President’s “E” or “E Star” Award. The “E” and “E Star” awards are the highest recognitions a U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. Of the 19 recipients, 14 are small and-medium-sized businesses and 5 are manufacturers. This year’s recipients come from 15 different states.

“U.S. exports are a crucial component of our global commercial engagement and example of our competitiveness in the global marketplace,” Secretary Raimondo said. “I’m thrilled to recognize the achievements of this year’s recipients for showcasing the innovation and dynamism that is characteristic of America’s private sector.”

The President’s “E” Award was created in 1961 by Executive Order of the President. It is the highest recognition a U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

“E” Award for Exports

This year, nine companies were honored with the “E” Award for Exports for demonstrating a sustained increase in export sales over a four-year period.

• Academica International Studies, Miami, Florida
• Best Buy Grocers, Inc, Seattle, Washington
• Control Station, Inc., Manchester, Connecticut
• Holtec Gas Systems, LLC, Saint Charles, Missouri
• MGK International, Inc., Princeton, New Jersey
• Montachem International Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Mott Corporation, Farmington, Connecticut
• Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno, Nevada
• Vertex International, Inc., Oak Brook, Illinois

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo presents Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno, Nevada the E-Award for Exports for demonstrating a sustained increase in export sales over a four-year period.

“E” Award for Export Service

Five companies and organizations received the “E” Award for Export Service for assisting and facilitating export activities.

• E.M. Wasylik Associates, Waunakee, Wisconsin
• First National Bank of Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska
• Montana Department of Commerce – Export Montana, Helena, Montana
• Rapport International, Sudbury, Massachusetts
• St. Tammany Corporation, Mandeville, Louisiana

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo presents First National Bank of Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska the “E” Award for Export Service for assisting and facilitating export activities.

“E Star” Award for Exports

Three companies received the “E” Star Award for Exports, which recognizes previous “E” Awardees that have reported four years of additional export growth.

• Beekley Medical, Bristol, Connecticut
• Grand-Rock Company Inc, Painesville, Ohio
• Technologent, Irvine, California

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo presents Technologent, Irvine, California the “E” Star Award for Exports, which recognizes previous “E” Awardees that have reported four years of additional export growth.

“E Star” Award for Export Service

Two entities were awarded the “E” Star Award for Export Service, which recognizes previous “E” Awardees that have shown four years of continued support of exporters since first winning the “E” Award.

• Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
• WES Inc., Denver, Colorado

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo presents Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University with the E-Star Award which recognizes previous “E” Awardees that have reported four years of additional export growth.

Companies are nominated for “E” Awards through the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service office network, located within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. Record years of successive export growth and an applicant’s demonstration of an innovative international marketing plan that led to the increase in exports is a significant factor in selecting the overall winners.