GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner to Receive MRI Trustee Citation Award for Visionary Leadership in Sustainable Transportation

KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On June 10, Midwest Research Institute (MRI) will present its prestigious Trustee Citation Award to General Motors Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner for his visionary leadership in developing sustainable transportation by aggressively driving a strategy for energy diversity in markets around the world.

MRI's Trustee Citation Award is presented each year during its annual dinner meeting to a person who exemplifies leadership in science, business, academia or the arts. Previous recipients of MRI's Trustee Citation Award have included distinguished individuals such as Margaret Thatcher, Henry Ford II, Larry Bossidy, Dr. Michael Nobel, and Dean Kamen.

"Energy is no doubt one of the single most important and challenging issues around the world today and MRI is proud to honor Rick Wagoner for his long-term dedication and commitment to lead General Motors in producing more alternative fuel vehicles and significantly expanding the research and development for electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles," said James L. Spigarelli, MRI's President and CEO.

"Through Rick's leadership, GM is pushing the advancement of technology solutions into present day vehicles and has created the world's largest test fleet of vehicles with hydrogen fuel cell propulsion technology on the road today," Spigarelli said. "His commitment to sustainable transportation is protecting the environment, reducing dependence on petroleum and bringing the future of new fuel sources closer to reality."

MRI has an extensive history in research and development for renewable energy and energy efficiency having managed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for the U.S. Department of Energy since 1977. The Institute fully recognizes the critical role that the automotive industry plays in the collaborative effort with academia, government and other industries in developing and advancing new technologies for alternative fuel sources.

GM is targeting to design and experimentally prove a hydrogen fuel cell system that will ultimately compete on performance, durability and cost with today's engine systems. To achieve their ultimate vision of a hydrogen economy and hydrogen fuel cell-based transportation, GM has invested over $1 billion along with the research and development efforts of over 700 GM scientists and engineers around the world.

"GM's commitment to aggressively advance hydrogen technology is important not only to the industry but to society overall," Spigarelli added. "By way of the MRI Trustee Citation Award, we wish to publicly recognize and applaud Rick Wagoner for his leadership in this significant and revolutionary undertaking."

GM also is a leader in producing flexible fuel vehicles as part of its strategy to reduce vehicle emissions and dependency on petroleum. The company has invested in two next-generation biofuels startups this year -- Coskata and Mascoma. Taken together, these leaders in biothermal and biochemical technologies represent the best in the cellulosic ethanol future and cover the spectrum in science and commercialization potential. General Motors also is expanding its hybrid portfolio and recently received funding approval from its Board of Directors to produce the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle.

In addition to receiving the MRI Trustee Citation Award, Wagoner will be the keynote speaker at MRI's Annual Dinner that will be held on June 10 in Kansas City. "Leadership for a Sustainable Future" is the theme of the annual dinner that will include an audience of nearly 500 business, civic, government and academic leaders from throughout the Midwest and other parts of the country.

Wagoner was elected GM chairman and chief executive officer on May 1, 2003.

About Midwest Research Institute

MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 1,800 employees nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one of the nation's leading independent research institutes conducting research in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, agriculture and food safety, and infrastructure. With headquarters in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and Rockville, Md. MRI has managed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy since 1977. The Institute's mission is to benefit society by providing solutions to national problems through scientific research, technology development, and technical services.