The Business Council for International Understanding to Honor Sergio Marchionne, Chairman and CEO, Chrysler Group and CEO of Fiat S.p.A, With the 2011 Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Leadership Award

NEW YORK, Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), a non-profit U.S. business association dedicated to forging relationships and promoting dialogue between business and government communities across the globe, today announced that Sergio Marchionne, Chairman and CEO, Chrysler Group LLC and CEO of Fiat S.p.A will be the recipient of the 2011 Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Leadership Award. The award will be presented to Mr. Marchionne at the 8th annual BCIU Gala on December 5th in New York City.

A turn-around architect, Mr. Marchionne has led the impressive revival of two major car companies in the last decade.  Hand-picked by the Agnelli family to revitalize Italian carmaker Fiat in 2004, Mr. Marchionne turned an industry write-off into a profit-maker, repositioning an out-dated bureaucratic stalwart to an innovative and driven company. In 2009, Mr. Marchionne brought his trademark tenacity, drive and maniacal attention to detail to Chrysler Group where he has led the legendary automaker back from the brink.  In the past two years, Mr. Marchionne and his team have posted improved sales, introduced a revamped product lineup in record time, and posted quarterly profits – just two years after the company was forced to file for bankruptcy protection and form a partnership with Fiat. Today, Mr. Marchionne continues to match the pace of the changing auto-industry by combining the strengths of both companies while capitalizing on each brand's unique offering.

"I am honored to accept BCIU's Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Leadership Award on behalf of more than 190,000 men and women who have worked hard to restore the pride and credibility of Fiat and Chrysler, and who continue to do so with a commitment and determination," said Mr. Marchionne, Chairman and CEO, Chrysler Group LLC and CEO of Fiat S.p.A.. "The mutual respect between our two groups will be the key to the partnership continuing to flourish, with Fiat and Chrysler people humbly working alongside each other, listening, sharing experiences, exchanging knowledge and ideas, and expanding their horizons."

Since 2003, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Leadership Award has been given to business executives who exemplify the definition of an international business leader by exhibiting outstanding contributions to global commerce. Mr. Marchionne extends a distinguished roster of BCIU's Global Leadership Award recipients, which includes Jeffrey R. Immelt, Chairman and CEO, General Electric; Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman & Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited; and the 2007 recipient and the award presenter for the evening, Lakshmi Mittal, Chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal.

"Mr. Sergio Marchionne's bold approach and can-do mindset are exemplary characteristics of a visionary business leader," said Peter Tichansky, President and CEO of BCIU. "His accomplishments at Fiat and Chrysler are testament to a CEO who can meet a company's biggest challenges while paying attention to the tiniest details and quality of its products. His determination has fueled the transformation of two legendary brands and put them firmly on the road to recovery."

The 27th BCIU  Annual Dwight D. Eisenhower Awards will be held at the New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, on December 5, 2011.

About BCIU
Fifty years ago, BCIU was formed at the White House Industrial Cooperation Council Conference on November 10, 1955, under the leadership of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, as a "people-to-people" initiative.  BCIU encourages international understanding by bringing together senior government officials and business leaders on issues of common concern by facilitating public-private partnerships in the global marketplace, and by assisting with problem-solving in turbulent situations and markets.  BCIU also conducts commercial diplomacy training courses for U.S. Foreign Service, U.S. Commercial Service, and other U.S. Government trade promotion personnel. BCIU utilizes a mix of business executives and experienced trade promotion officials as faculty instructors for these courses.

SOURCE Business Council for International Understanding