Contact:	Katherine McCary, President, USBLN
		804-343-9571
	 
	    
For Immediate Release: 
November 8, 2004

The US Business Leadership Network Announces
Exceptional Leaders Awards

NEW YORK -  The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN) announced the winners 
of its 2004 Exceptional Leaders Awards at its annual conference held recently in New 
York City. Business Leadership Networks (BLNs) are employer organizations promoting 
the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce and marketplace. The 
Exceptional Leadership Awards annually recognize employers, chapters and partners that 
emulate disability best practices. 
	ChicagoLand Business Leadership Network in Illinois received the “Chapter of 
the Year” Award for its significant work towards the growth of its chapter, including 
production of an educational video and companion resource guide that uses plain 
language to make the business case for hiring individuals with disabilities.  SEARS 
serves as  the Lead Employer for the chapter.
        Bank One NA-Lexington (Kentucky) received the “Lead Employer of the Year” 
Award for its outstanding support of the Kentucky Business Leadership Network 
(KYBLN). Bank One’s leadership includes strong commitment from its Market President  
Glenn D. Leveridge, and other key senior Bank One managers.
        Two organizations received “Partner of the Year” Awards, Goodwill Easter Seals 
of Minneapolis, Minn. and the Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation 
Research and Training Center on Workplace Support located in Richmond, Va.  
Goodwill Easter Seals was nominated by American Express, a member of the Minnesota
    -more-
The US Business Leadership Network/2

BLN, for its development of a customer service training program for people with 
disabilities as well as its commitment to further grow the MNBLN by promoting the 
organization to other employers served by the Goodwill Easter Seals organization.
        Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center 
was nominated by SunTrust Bank, the lead employer of the Virginia BLN, for its 
development of web based Disability Etiquette Training for Business, specifically for 
human resource and hiring managers.  The Center was also nominated for its research 
that furthers the business case for the employment of and marketing to individuals with 
disabilities.
        The USBLN is a national organization that supports the development and 
expansion of BLNs across the country and serves as their collective voice.  It represents 
more than 51 chapters in 37 states and the District of Columbia. 
        The USBLN will hold its 2005 Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, Pa. November 
1-3, 2005, and will announce the 2005 Exceptional Leadership Awards at the conference. 
For more information, contact the USBLN at www.usbln.com or Katherine McCary, 
President, USBLN at katherine.mccary@suntrust.com.
    
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