Chrysler Group, Gleaners Community Food Bank Presidents Honored by Harvard Business School Club of Michigan

-- Dieter Zetsche, Chrysler Group President & CEO, Awarded 22nd Annual "Statesman Award" -- Agostinho Fernandes Awarded Grant to Harvard Business School Conference

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 20 -- The Harvard Business School Club of Michigan last night awarded Dieter Zetsche, President and CEO of the Chrysler Group, with its 22nd annual Business Statesman of the Year Award. The award recognizes business leaders who have made significant accomplishments and contributions to the community. Zetsche accepted the honor at the club's Business Statesman Award dinner, held at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills.

In addition, the club awarded Gleaners Community Food Bank President Agostinho (Augie) Fernandes with a grant to attend an executive education program on nonprofit leadership at the Harvard Business School. The grant program is designed to provide leaders of the nonprofit community with opportunities to expand their skills.

"We work hard at the Chrysler Group to go beyond building a strong business enterprise," said Zetsche. "We strive to support Michigan's cultural institutions, social programs and education, and the Harvard Business School is doing just that with this award for Augie Fernandes."

"I am honored to be selected by the Harvard Business School of Michigan to receive this generous scholarship," said Fernandes. "Gleaners prides itself on its efficiency and this opportunity will give us additional tools to continue to grow and thrive -- and ultimately help more hungry people in Southeast Michigan."

In his speech, Zetsche encouraged business leaders at large to support the communities in which they live and work. "Ultimately, we need both strong business and strong communities to succeed and prosper."

The Chrysler Group, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, is a unit of DaimlerChrysler AG, the world's fifth largest automaker. Its brands, including Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge, feature some of the most recognizable vehicles like the Chrysler 300, Jeep Liberty, and Dodge Magnum. In 2004, the Chrysler Group sold 2.7 million vehicles worldwide. The DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund, the Company's philanthropic arm, gave more than $23.7 million in grants last year.

Since 1977, Gleaners Community Food Bank has been nourishing communities by feeding hungry people. This is done by securing surplus food for less fortunate members of the community from farmers, grocery retailers, food distributors and processors that would otherwise go to waste. Gleaners Community Food Bank distributes nearly two million pounds of food monthly to more than 300 agencies, which are direct providers of nutritious meals to hungry citizens in Southeast Michigan. Over 65,000 meals are served by these agencies each day and the need is growing. More support is needed to feed hungry people. Who are the hungry? Fifty-nine percent of those served are children and seniors. The hungry are also the disabled, working poor, and those experiencing an emergency or crisis.

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