NOW International Wins Presidential Award

WASHINGTONU.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke presented NOW International, the export division of NOW Foods, with the Presidential award for significant growth in exports during the past three years. The E Star award was presented in a ceremony at the Department of Commerce Building in Washington. Accepting the award on behalf of NOW International was Al Powers, president of NOW Health Group; Jim Emme, chief operations officer; and Philip Pittsford, NOW International sales manager.

President Obamas National Export Initiative goal of doubling U.S. exports and supporting 2 million jobs over the next five years has raised the profile of the importance of exports to our nations continued economic recovery, said Secretary Locke. NOW International is being honored today for its achievement in enhancing export growth, which helps strengthen our economy and create American jobs.

In presenting the award Secretary Locke said, I want to congratulate you on your achievement, and for supporting critical export-related jobs for American workers. President Obamas initiative was designed with one overriding goal: to get people back to work in jobs that that provide security, dignity and a sense of hope for the future. Its businesses like yours with a proven record of success that are going to help us meet or exceed that goal.

The Presidents E Star award, the highest export award given by the US Commerce Department, recognizes previous recipients of the Presidents E Award for continued superior performance in increasing or promoting exports. This year E and E Star awards were given to 22 companies. NOW received its first Presidents E award in 2007. 

 The NOW International sales team deserves a big hand for continuing to grow our international sales in the face of much adversity with significant economic and regulatory challenges around the world, said NOW President Al Powers. This achievement represents a great team effort that could not have been realized without the dedication of our production and quality teams and all of our departments that regularly support our international sales efforts. The award recognizes that NOW is making an important contribution to the American economy and helping the United States to continue to be an important exporter of consumer goods around the world.    

 The President's "E" Award Program was established by Executive Order on December 5, 1961, to honor persons, firms or organizations that contribute significantly to increasing exports from United States. The period of consideration for an "E" Award covers the most recent four years of export operations.