The 2006 Richard Vinroot International Achievement Award was  presented to French Honorary Consul, Millie Cox.  Honorary Consul Cox was the keynote speaker at the event honoring the corporate philanthropy of the Charlotte USA area's foreign-owned firms.

Photo: l-r, French Consul General Philippe Ardanaz with 2006 Richard Vinroot International Achievement Award winner Millie Cox and Limoges Mayor Alain Rodet and Mrs.  Rodet

Small Company Category:

ATOTECH USA (York County) is a French company and one of the world's leading suppliers of processes, services, and equipment for General Metal Finishing, Semiconductor and Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing.  They have been in the Charlotte region for 10 years and employ 145 in York County.  They encourage community involvement with emphasis in various communities and organizations providing support to the local education system and students.  Their education involvement ranges from "bring your child to work" programs to school mentoring programs, career workshops with local high school, school supply donations and working with the Minority Scholarship Fund.  In 2006 , they also contributed employee and company donations to the United Way, American Red Cross, Katrina Relief, Tsunami Relief and Good Folks of York County.

Photo: 2006 Small Company winner Atotech USA

Medium Company Category:

 GETRAG Corporation (Catawba County) is a German Corporation, established in North Carolina in November 1986.  This rapidly growing company employs just under 500 and produces transaxles and power-take-off units for General Motors and Daimler Chrysler.  GETRAG has a corporate vision "We Do It Better," a concept consisting of eight first violins representing the themes that are important to them: associates, suppliers, environment, family, stockholders, customers, company and products.  The company is very involved at the grassroots level in Catawba and Lincoln Counties through such ongoing programs as the weekly Lunch Buddy, Junior Achievement, Angel Tree, Meals on Wheels and the annual Christmas Party for the children in the community.  GETRAG Associates made two trips to Mississippi and New Orleans to help rebuild after Katrina.  The company has monthly meetings conveniently scheduled three times during the day so that all employees can attend.  These meetings talk about activities occurring and matching employees to the needs.  An award ($150 gift certificate, a plaque of recognition and a coveted parking space) is given to the Associate of the Quarter.

Photo: 2006 Medium Company winner Getrag Corporation

Large Company Category:

FOOD LION LLC (Rowan County) is a subsidiary of Brussels based Delhaize Group and operates more than 85 food stores in the Charlotte area, employing about 10,600 associates.  Established in 2001, the Food Lion Charitable Foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to improving the communities in which Food Lion operates.  In 2004-5, Food Lion provided 3,839 ,082 pounds of food to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.  The company encourages employees at every level to participate and a number regularly volunteer time to sort and process food at the Food Bank.  While the organization is very involved with caring for the hungry, supporting children's education and Children's Miracle Network, there is a broad range of efforts by its employees.  Food Lion has a Community Relations Department that coordinates the company wide efforts like United Way, and it helps the stores work on all types of projects specific to their community's needs.  They publish a newsletter, filled with a variety of events and special projects, with highlights of what each region is doing.  Lion's Pride Fund supports worthy causes for employees and non-employees.  It is funded by the employees' donations and fund raising efforts.

The Mayor's International Cabinet, Charlotte Sister Cities, the World Affairs Council of Charlotte, International House and the North Carolina World Trade Association-Charlotte Chapter host this event each year in May. MICA was created to honor the philanthropic giving and other forms of support that many foreign-owned firms located in the16-county Charlotte USA region have given to non-profit organizations throughout the year.

Photo: 2006 Large Company Winner Food Lion LLC with the Mayor of Salisbury, Susan Kluttz

MICA Global Sponsors: Charlotte Chamber, Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, Compare Foods, Duke Energy, Food Lion, Lufthansa, Moore & Van Allen WFAE 90.7fm

Photo: 2006 MICA Hosts, l-r: Astrid Chirinos and Lorne Lassiter, the Mayor's International Cabinet, Sally Billington, World Affairs Council, Richard Vinroot, David Stewart of International House, Alan Shao, The North Carolina World Trade Association, Firoz Peera, World Affairs Council, Alina Mac Nichol, Charlotte Sister Cities.

Small Category: Lufthansa German Airlines, Langford de Kock, Coats North America and Atotech, USA (2006 winner).

Medium Category: Getrag Corporation (2006 winner), Okuma America and Areva.

Large Category: Freightliner LLC, Schaeffler Group USA and Food Lion LLC (2006 winner).