TWO EX-IM BANK EMPLOYEES HONORED FOR SMALL BUSINESS EXPORT PROMOTION EFFORTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 22, 2001
Media Contact Name/Phone
Marianna Ohe (202) 565-3200

Two Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) employees have been honored by the Small Business Exporters Association (SBEA) for their contributions to the U.S. small business export effort.

William Redway, group vice president of Ex-Im Bank's Small and New Business Group, received the Export Advocate of the Year Award for his innovative leadership on behalf of small business exports. Redway has led Ex-Im Bank's effort to strengthen support for small business exports since 1997. Sharyn Hess, business development officer in Ex-Im Bank's New York Regional Office, received the Export Service Appreciation Award for her outstanding customer service to small businesses.

We are very proud of Ex-Im Bank's achievement in promoting small business exports; fully 86 percent of all Ex-Im Bank transactions are on behalf of small businesses, said Ex-Im Bank board director D. Vanessa Weaver, who is responsible for overseeing Ex-Im Bank's small business outreach programs. Our accomplishments have laid the foundation for these two talented employees to receive these distinguished awards.

SBEA, a national trade group representing small and mid-size U.S. exporters, confers public recognition awards on government and private sector leaders annually.

Ex-Im Bank is an independent U.S. government agency that helps finance the sale of U.S. exports primarily to emerging markets throughout the world, by providing loans, guarantees, and insurance. Ex-Im Bank supported $15.5 billion in U.S. exports in fiscal year 2000.