By Nathaniel Luce
June 7, 2016 – Atlanta, GA – Over 220 people were in attendance at the Twelve Hotel at Atlantic Station for the Conexx: America Israel Business Connector’s 15th annual Eagle Star Awards gala on Thursday, June 2. The event honored the people and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the US-Israel business relationship.
Conexx was proud to honor Anita Zucker, CEO and Chair of the Charleston, SC based InterTech Group with the Tom Glaser Leadership Award recognizing her extraordinary achievements in business, her leadership in the community and her passion and dedication to Israel. Ms. Zucker was named one of the 50 most prominent women in business and was awarded the Order of the Palmetto from the State of South Carolina. “Anita is a tireless advocate for Israel”, said Conexx Chair Benjamin Fink. “Her passion and incredible contributions to Conexx, the South Carolina-Israel Collaboration and to the US-Israel business relationship have empowered so many people and organizations. We are so honored to work with her and look forward to many more fruitful years ahead.”
Conexx also awarded the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development with the Community Partner Award for its significant work and collaboration with Israel. Leslee Alexander, International Director accepted the award. The Department has worked over the last few years to encourage bilateral trade and investment opportunities with Israel as well as encouraging long-term business relationships with Israel and the Southeast.
Energiya USA and Georgia Power were the recipients of the Eagle Star Deal of the Year award. David Herskovits, CEO of Energiya USA, William “Norrie” McKenzie, Vice President of Renewable Development for Georgia Power, and Yossi Abramowitz, CEO of Energiya Global in Israel were all on hand to accept the award. Energiya and Georgia Power, just last week, inaugurated their first commercial size solar field in Glynn County, GA. Energiya USA won a 20 year contract with Georgia Power to provide 22.5 megawatts of electricity in a 60 acre field near Brunswick, GA. Yosef Abramowitz, the CEO of Energiya Global and well-known and outspoken figure in Israel was on hand from Israel as well representatives from Georgia Power to accept the award.
In addition, Conexx also honored TIBA Parking Systems with the 2016 Israeli Company of the Year award for their innovations in automated parking, with acceptance from Ziv Shpringer, CFO. The Georgia Ports Authority was awarded with the 2016 US Company of the Year award. Trade with Israel through the ports grew 23%. Georgia’s ports have become load centers for trade, including business with ZIM America, the Israel owned international shipping company, which is the 5th largest container carrier with the Georgia Ports Authority operating out of The Ports of Savannah and Brunswick. Incoming Executive Director of the Ports Authority, Griffith Lynch, accepted the award.
In addition, Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management was recognized with the Conexx Innovative Academic Partnerships with Israel Award for their exemplary partnership with Israeli companies, institutions of higher learning, and other business entities. The University has worked to further the cause of U.S. – Israel business and economic relationships by incorporating hands-on student and faculty engagement inspiring the next generation of business leadership.
“The Conexx community is our driving force,” remarked Conexx President Guy Tessler. “We are proud to work with such incredible people and organizations throughout the Southeast who help us accomplish our mission – to connect Americans and Israelis through business. There is so much more we hope to do and look forward to working with others in the Southeast business community.”
About Conexx: America Israel Business Connector
Conexx is a non-profit, non-governmental agency committed to connecting Americans and Israelis through the vehicle of business. Conexx is one of most successful and effective bi-national business organizations in North America. Since our founding over 22 years ago, Conexx continues to deliver great value to Israeli companies seeking U.S. market entry and to American companies seeking entry into Israel and access to ground breaking technologies. Conexx offers a powerful network to help our members promote their products or services to the entire Southeast and beyond.
Contact Person: Barry Swartz Vice President, Conexx
Contact Phone: (404) 843-6426 ext.106
Contact Email: BSwartz@Conexx.org
