Southern Pines, N.C.
September 13, 2002

At the September 13, 2002 closing ceremonies of its 37th annual conference, the North Carolina World Trade Association (NCWTA) presented the annual Governor's Awards for exportexcellence. North Carolina's Secretary of Revenue Norris Tolson represented Governor Easley in recognizing Barnhardt Manufacturing Company of Charlotte with the 2002 Governor's International Trade Award.

Barnhardt President & CEO Thomas L. Barnhardt and Alex Bryant, Director of International Sales and Business Development, received the award, which recognizes the nominated company that has contributed most to North Carolina 's international trade stature over the past year. The award criteria include annual growth of export sales, percentage of export sales to corporate sales, development of international markets and technical product innovation. Founded in 1900, Barnhardt exported medical bleached cotton fiber to 20 customers in 15 countries in 2001. Export sales were almost 30% of total sales. Bryant is also on the board of directors of both the NCWTA and the Charlotte Chapter.

Secretary Tolson also recognized the winner of the 2002 Governor's International Community Award, UNC-TV. Based in Research Triangle Park, UNC-TV has focused on North Carolina's role in international trade with several documentaries, including North Carolina-Cuba: A Balancing Act. Shannon Vickery, the managing editor of North Carolina Now, has been a speaker at both the Triangle and Coastal Plains Chapters of NCWTA. The Governor's Award nomination process begins with the NCWTA chapters, which each search their ranks and communities to choose the best candidate in each category. The chapters submit their nominations to the state association. There, a panel of anonymous but distinguished judges, also from across the state, makes the difficult decision each year.

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