FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sunday, January 31, 2016

AmCham Abu Dhabi Announces 2016 Excellence Awards Winners and

Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. – At AmCham Abu Dhabi’s 6th Excellence Awards, 16th Charity Gala, and 30th Anniversary Celebration top business executives and government officials came together to recognize leading U.S. and U.A.E. companies, institutions and entrepreneurs for their dedication to strengthening U.S.-U.A.E. commercial relations. The finalists were honored Friday, January 29, with an evening gala at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, with Guest of Honor, H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, U.A.E.

"AmCham Abu Dhabi is proud to recognize the winners of the 2016 Excellence Awards," said Robert S. Harward, Chairman, AmCham Abu Dhabi. "This year’s Excellence Awards winners are truly outstanding individuals and organizations; they embody excellence in their business by demonstrating passion and dedication to their work while continuing the strong bilateral commercial relationship between the U.S. and U.A.E. We are especially proud to celebrate AmCham’s 30th Anniversary and to honor the Founding Members, Constitution Writers and former Presidents and Chairpersons of AmCham who laid the foundation for AmCham’s growth and success in promoting U.S.-U.A.E. commerce, trade and investment.”

Robert S. Harward, Chairman, AmCham Abu Dhabi, welcomes guests to the 6th Excellence Awards, 16th Charity

Gala, and 30th Anniversary Celebration.

H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan said, “Tonight AmCham Abu Dhabi celebrates

many significant anniversaries and they combine to emphasize your success in becoming a

vital part of our international community. Your success, of course, contributes to the

success of the U.A.E. Your businesses energize our economy. American excellence in

healthcare, technology, engineering and design, construction, energy, higher education,

aerospace and automobiles, and dozens of other specialized fields has helped to propel our

country, as we begin our 45th year with confidence and vigor. He continued “The success of

AmCham Abu Dhabi in the past 30 years bodes well for the future. I congratulate you on this

occasion and hope you will have many, many more years of successful contributions to our

country and to the capital city of Abu Dhabi.”

Left to Right: Sharief Fahmy, Vice Chairman, AmCham Abu Dhabi and Master of Ceremonies;

H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, U.A.E.;

Robert S. Harward, Chairman, AmCham Abu Dhabi.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E. Barbara Leaf congratulated AmCham Abu Dhabi on its 30th Anniversary while presenting the Woman in Business Award. In addition, congratulations from the U.A.E. Ambassador to the U.S., H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba were read to the sold-out audience by AmCham Abu Dhabi Chairman Robert S. Harward.

The Excellence Awards applaud best in class American and Emirati individuals

and businesses for their achievements in the local business community. The

winners of the five awards are:

Dorian Paul Rogers, Founder, Rooftop Rhythms, received the Young Achiever

Award, which recognizes a young entrepreneur under the age of 40 who has demonstrated smashing success in professional practice and exemplifies a commitment to excellence by inspiring others in launching U.A.E. based business opportunities. Dorian Rogers is Founder of Rooftop Rythyms, a cultural events-planning initiative and performance-based collective of artists in Abu Dhabi. His culture and arts events which range from Arabic and English poetry open mic nights to live music events have been lauded for exposing emergent Emirati and expatriate performance talent. The popularity of these events have garnered him recognition on both CNN and BBC.

Left to Right: Heather Smith, Vice President, Strategic Services, NMC Healthcare and AmCham Board Member

presents the 2016 AmCham Abu Dhabi Young Achiever Award to Dorian Paul Rogers, Founder, Rooftop

Rythyms.

Sana Bagersh, CEO, BrandMoxie, received the Woman in Business Award, which

recognizes a working female who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and

accomplishment by pushing barriers, overcoming challenges and setting an example of

perseverance and professionalism. Sana Bagersh is CEO of BrandMoxie, a leading

advertising agency and Managing Editor of Tempo, a community based magazine that

promotes design, business and innovation. She is also founder of Tamakkan, an

entrepreneurship and leadership organization that offers guidance to small and medium size

businesses.

Left to Right: The Honorable Barbara Leaf, U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E., presents the 2016 AmCham Abu

Dhabi Woman in Business Award to Sana Bagersh, CEO, BrandMoxie, Managing Editor,

Tempo and Founder, Tamakkan.

Abdul Rahman Saeed Ghanim, Chairman and Founder, Middle East General

Enterprises (MGE), received the Falcon Individual Award, which recognizes an individual

demonstrating an outstanding commitment to sustainable U.S.-U.A.E. business relations. As

the Founder and Chairman of MGE, he oversees a diversified holding company covering a

variety of business sectors including logistics, aerospace and defense, energy, real estate

and investments. MGE promotes companies by engaging, sponsoring, partnering or

becoming agents to global powerhouses including U.S. companies DHL, Honeywell, General

Atomics, and Children’s National Health Systems, to name a few.

Left to Right: Dr. Kassem Alom, Founder and Deputy Chairman, Al Noor Hospitals Group presents the 2016

Falcon Individual Award to Alan O'Donnell, Director, Middle East General Enterprises, accepting on behalf of

Abdul Rahman Saeed Ghanim, Chairman and Founder, Middle East General Enterprises.

Kallman Worldwide Inc. received the Falcon Organization Award, which recognizes an

organization demonstrating an outstanding commitment to sustainable U.S.-U.A.E. business

relations. AmCham Abu Dhabi recognized Kallman Worldwide Inc., an export-marketing

advocate helping U.S. business capitalize on international trade shows, which has been

active in the U.A.E. since 1989. The company has represented a portfolio of the U.A.E.

leading exhibits including the ADIPEC Oil and Gas Show, Arab Health, the Dubai Airshow,

Middle East Electricity and WETEX. Outreach efforts have touched tens of thousands of

U.S. firms and over the last 20 years Kallman has recruited more than 2,400 American

companies to participate in U.A.E. trade shows.

Left to Right: Haitham Al Subaihi, Vice President, U.A.E. Sales, Etihad Airways presents the

2016 AmCham Abu Dhabi Falcon Organization Award to Tom Kallman, President and CEO,

accepting on behalf of Kallman Worldwide Inc.

Strata Manufacturing PJSC received the Bridge of Excellence Award, which recognizes

an organization that bridges the gap in bilateral trade relations and demonstrates a

commitment to cross-border business alliances or joint ventures. STRATA Manufacturing

PJSC, a Mubadala Development Company, is located in Nibras Al Ain Aerospace Park a

multi-faceted development that supports the establishment of a sustainable aerospace

industry in Al Ain and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. STRATA is a Tier 1 supplier to Boeing, an

American multinational that is the world’s largest aerospace company. In 2015 Etihad

received its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft with Vertical Fin Ribs made by STRATA.

Left to Right: Dr. Marc Harrison, Chief of International Business Development, Cleveland Clinic presents the

2016 AmCham Abu Dhabi Bridge of Excellence Award to Amir Siddiqui, CFO,

accepting on behalf of STRATA Manufacturing PJSC.

The 2016 Awards included a special award category in honor of the 30th Anniversary of

AmCham Abu Dhabi, the Pearl Awards. The Pearl Awards recognize AmCham Abu

Dhabi’s founding Individual and Corporate Members, Constitution Writers and former

Presidents and Chairpersons and their contributions to enhancing U.S.-U.A.E. commerce,

trade and investment. For the full list see the addendum to the Press Release. In attendance

at the event were Founding Individual Members: John McGowan; Founding Corporate

Members: Afridi & Angell, CRSS International, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Raytheon

International Inc., Sayah Engineering Consulting Bureau, Shearman & Sterling LLP and

United Technical Services; Constitution Writers: S. Qaiser Anis, Lavern Heggem, Charles

Laubach and Elias B. Sayah; Former Presidents: Charles Laubach, Peter Eident and John

L. Habib.

Left to Right: Robert S. Harward , Peter Eident, Christopher Davis, John McGowan, Lavern Heggem, Charles

Laubach, Danya Trent, Elias B. Sayah, Daniel Feldman , Richard Lloyd, S. Qaiser Anis and John L. Habib.

Robert S. Harward, Chairman, AmCham Abu Dhabi, gave a special award to Theresa F.

Weber, Executive Director, AmCham Abu Dhabi, for her outstanding commitment to

AmCham Abu Dhabi, serving as Executive Director from 2008-2011 and 2013-2016.

Left to Right: Theresa F. Weber, Executive Director, AmCham Abu Dhabi receives a Special Award for her

outstanding commitment to AmCham Abu Dhabi from Robert S. Harward, Chairman, AmCham Abu Dhabi.

Proceeds raised from the event are donated to local charities and educational institutions, in support of U.A.E. aid programs and initiatives. The four beneficiary organizations this year are: Emirates Red Crescent, the Make-A-Wish Foundation U.A.E., the American Community School of Abu Dhabi and St. Joseph’s School.

2016 marks the 16th year of AmCham Abu Dhabi giving back to the community. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of 21 leading Abu Dhabi companies, guests were treated to an elegant and entertaining evening.

Left to Right: Haitham Al Subaihi, Vice President, U.A.E. Sales, Etihad Airways; James Bowden, Afridi & Angell

and Brian Lott, Executive Director, Group Communications, Mubadala Development Company and

co-host of the event.

The 6th AmCham Abu Dhabi Excellence Awards Winners, Nominees, Sponsors, VIPs

and AmCham Abu Dhabi Falcon Members and Board Members.

Sponsors of the 6th Annual Excellence Awards, 16th Charity Gala and 30th Anniversary

Celebration were Tiffany & Co.; Al Noor Hospitals Group; Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi; Etihad

Airways; IMG Worlds of Adventure; Lockheed Martin Global Inc.; Nirvana Travel & Tourism

LLC; Cadillac; AV Concepts; Boeing; Northrop Grumman; Sultan International Holding;

Fragomen Worldwide; Harris Corporation; Oshkosh Defense; Occidental Petroleum

Corporation; Sayah Engineering MENA; The Coca-Cola Company; International New York

Times; Uber; Spinneys and the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority.

Notes to the Editors:

For press inquiries contact: Theresa F. Weber, Executive Director, AmCham Abu Dhabi

T: +971.2.631.3604, E: director@amchamabudhabi.org

About the Event Organizer:

• AmCham Abu Dhabi: AmCham Abu Dhabi (the trademark of the American Business Group of Abu Dhabi) is a member of the global network of American Chambers of Commerce. The AmCham Abu Dhabi mission is to promote commerce, investment and goodwill between the United States of America, the membership, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates. AmCham Abu Dhabi is an independent, not-for-profit association comprised of Fortune 500 corporations, small and medium sized companies and prominent business leaders and entrepreneurs. AmCham Abu Dhabi provides a uniquely situated platform through which executives pursue and discuss issues impacting business operations between the U.S. and U.A.E. Substantive government advocacy programs, educational and networking programs and customized business service are just a few of the many benefits AmCham Abu Dhabi provides its members. Through the support of its members, AmCham Abu Dhabi has become the recognized voice of U.S. business in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. For more information, visit: www.amchamabudhabi.org

About the Beneficiary Organizations:

• Emirates Red Crescent was established in 1983 and gained international recognition on August 27, 1986 by becoming member No. 139 of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. It is the country’s main relief and aid agency. The Red Crescent is independent, but takes a lead role in the government’s humanitarian activities. It is guided by the principles of the international movement, such as non-alignment, non-intervention and independence. Outside the U.A.E., the Red Crescent responds to emergency situations, as well as undertaking health programs and humanitarian projects. It has supported projects in more than 100 countries, and is chaired by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi. For more information, visit www.rcuae.ae

• The Make-A-Wish Foundation: The Make-A-Wish Foundation is active in almost 50 countries and dedicated to bringing joy, strength and hope to children living with life-threatening medical conditions. In 1980, a young boy in the US was given the chance to be a police officer for a day. Thirty years later, Shehab, a young leukemia patient and long-term patient at Al Tawam Hospital, flew with his family to meet HH General Shiekh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the first Wish granted in the U.A.E. The U.A.E. branch was founded in 2010, and is looking to expand its operation to the rest of the MENA region. Having granted over 1,000 wishes since 2010, their aims for 2016 are to grant more wishes than ever before and to create more awareness in the U.A.E., to help grant more wishes to Wish Kids. www.makeawish.ae

• American Community School of Abu Dhabi (ACS): Located on a site donate by the late H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ACS was established in 1972. ACS is nonprofit, college preparatory institution driven by student learning. Its international student body of 1,200 students (K-12), representing 50 countries, receives an excellent education based upon an American standards-based curriculum. ACS recently celebrated 43 years of excellence. For more information, visit: www.acs.sch.ae

• St. Joseph’s School: St. Joseph’s is a primary to secondary school in Abu Dhabi. It was established in 1967 and is managed by the Apostolic Vicariate of the Roman Catholic Church in Southern Arabia. Originally located on the Corniche, the school moved to the Mushrif area in 1982. The mission of the Catholic Schools in the U.A.E. is to ensure academic excellence by providing a high quality, affordable, and value based education. St. Joseph’s School prepares students for university and a future of continuous learning. For more information, visit: www.stjosephsschool.ae

About the Founding Members, Constitution Writers and former Presidents and

Chairpersons of AmCham Abu Dhabi:

AmCham Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 43710, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates T: +971.2.631.3604 F: +971.2.633.0489 E: admin@amchamabudhabi.org www.AmChamAbuDhabi.org