All awards were presented by Commissioner of Agriculture William Troxler, assisted by Janet Malkemes, during the Partners Luncheon hosted by the NC Department of Agriculture, the NC District Export Council and the US Export Assistance Center

Nominated by the Cape Fear Chapter, selected by the State Board - Hanjin is the 2009 NCWTA Excellence in International Trade Award winner.

Jennifer Coulter, Hanjin Account Executive, accepted the award for Hanjin Shipping Company. Corey Heim is the chapter President. In addition to being active and supportive members of the Cape Fear NCWTA Chapter, The Department of Agriculture wishes to acknowledge Hanjin for "helping to open the export markets for bulk agricultural products, especially soybeans & wheat." Hanjin is shipping refrigerated reefers of pork, poultry (and tobacco) to Asia. Hanjin Shipping Company's inauguration of weekly container service between the Port of Wilmington and north China in 2007 doubled the transpacific service available to North Carolina's business and industry offered by the NC State Ports Authority's long-time container shipping partner, the CKHY Alliance. Expanded container service at the Port of Wilmington is a key port of economic development projects in progress that will create high-paying, high-quality jobs in assembly, manufacturing and distribution facilities statewide, especially in the State's eastern third and far-western regions where they are needed.

NCWTA honors Hanjin Shipping Company for Excellence in International Trade - May 19, 2009

NCWTA honors Gunda Knese for Excellence in Support of International Trade - May 19, 2009

Gunda Knese is a Business Development Manager at Greer & Walker LLP. Gunda has graciously dedicated a significant amount of her time to the day-to-day activities of the Charlotte Chapter of the North Carolina World Trade Association and has worked tirelessly behind the scenes (often without recognition) to support the Chapter during a critical and challenging transition period. Gunda's contributions to the Charlotte Chapter have been many and cannot be overstated. Accordingly, it is with great pleasure that the Charlotte Chapter & the NCWTA Board honors her with this award. Tracey LeRoy, president of the Charlotte Chapter accepted the award for Ms. Knese and it was presented to her at the Charlotte Chapter meeting May 21st.

NCWTA honors Linda York for Excellence in Support of International Trade - May 19, 2009

Linda York is with the Hosiery Technology Center in Hickory. "Ms. York, has exhibited to the Carolina West Chapter what it means to be committed to trade. Her dedication and tireless support has helped this chapter to conduct better meetings and in turn attracted many visitors to the meetings." Quote from Chapter President and vice president of the NCWTA State Board of Directors, Hermann Metzler. Hosiery Technology Center Director Dan St. Louis was on hand to congratulate her in front of over a hundred participants in the Export University 101 class, the NC District Export Council and NCWTA Partners luncheon.

NCWTA honors Kuldip Wasson for Excellence in Support of International Trade - May 19, 2009

Kuldip Wasson is an International Business Development manager (specializing in telecom) at the NC Department of Commerce, International Trade Division. The Triangle Chapter and the NCWTA Board wish to recognize and thank Kuldip Wasson for his many contributions to the NCWTA over the past years. Kuldip has served on the Triangle Chapter board for four years and on the state board for the past two years. He served the Triangle Chapter as president in 2007-2008 and has remained active in assisting with program planning and marketing. Much gratitude is expressed by the membership who appreciate all that he does for the Association. Kuldip is not serving as an at-large member of the NCWTA State Board of directors.

NCWTA honors Barbara Tuttle for Excellence in Support of International Trade - May 19, 2009

The NCWTA Board wishes to recognize and thank Barbara Tuttle for her many contributions to the NCWTA over the years. She is a member of the board and, most recently and effectively has served as Treasurer. In addition to her volunteer hours keeping the organization on the good side of the Department of Revenue and the IRS, she has guided the Triad Chapter through many successful programs to make it one of the leading chapters of the NCWTA. Many thanks from the entire membership. We appreciate all that she does for the NC World Trade Association.

Barbara was unable to attend as she was on Jury duty, so Janet Malkemes, NCWTA State President accepted for her and thanked Commissioner Troxler and Peter Thornton for their support of the NCWTA.