Who's the best governance professional in the country?

Dear readers,

The title for this letter should really be ‘Who is the best corporate secretary, general counsel, compliance officer, or other governance professional in the country?’ but that is just too long. So who is the best? I can’t tell you that right now but I can tell you which individuals and companies made the short-list for the Corporate Governance Awards 2010.
 
We received entries from some of the biggest and best companies in the US and I have to tell you that picking the 54 finalists was one of the most difficult – and time consuming - things we have done all year.
 
You might notice that we changed the name of the awards this year. The change, to Corporate Governance Awards, reflects the fact that every company takes a slightly different approach to governance and a broad array of people are involved in making governance work. Sometimes it is the general counsel, sometimes the corporate secretary is responsible and at other companies there are specialist compliance, ethics and regulatory law experts. In all cases, these individuals work hard and toil mostly in the background to make their companies better. Knowing how to do things the best way is hard when you don't have anyone showing you the way. Now you do.
 
To recognize these achievements, and the importance that good governance has in the overall position and performance of US companies, we at Corporate Secretary are handing out awards in 11 categories, plus a lifetime achievement prize.
 
Ok, so I wont keep you waiting any longer. A total of 36 companies are on the shortlist – 10 make it more than once. In alphabetical order the shortlist is:

Abiomed
Aeropostale
AES
AGCO
Ann Taylor
Baker Hughes
Best Buy
Burger King
Cole Taylor
Blackrock
BNSF
Chevron
Cisco
Constellation Energy
GE
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
Intel
KLA-Tencor

Kraft Foods

Lubrizol

Mass Mutual

Monsanto

Microsoft

NiSource
Oracle
Pfizer
PNC
PPL
Pride International
Procter & Gamble
Prudential
PSEG
Timberland
Stanley Black and Decker
UnitedHealth
WGL Holdings
 
For the full list of what categories each of these companies are nominated for you should visit the Awards website. There, you will also find information about the judging panel and the criteria for each category.
 
Without trying to toot my own horn, the importance of these awards cannot be overstated. These companies – and many others – are leading the way in many aspects of governance and providing an example of how to do things well. In a corner of the business world where there are few definitive right answers this program shows some ways that we might achieve best practice. It also shows that, despite what a lot of people may think, there are many good people doing some great things and trying to make companies and the environment better.
 
Now for the pitch – you have to come to this event. Last we had 330 leaders in the field gather in New York to celebrate outstanding achievement. If you are on the list you should definitely come. We wont be telling winners ahead of time (that list is almost as well protected as the Oscars) so being there definitely adds to the excitement. If the last two years are anything to go by seats sell out quickly so don't delay.
 
I know budgets are tight and getting time out of the office is hard but I don’t think anyone will begrudge you supporting your peers in the field. Oh, and if you are coming, we have a range of partners who can help fly you to New York and accommodate you in style – some of you are winners after all.
 
Many of you spent considerable time putting together materials for the nominations and I want to thank you for that. I also want to congratulate all the short-listed companies. The presence of so many small companies shows that you don't need to be big or have a massive budget, to be doing great things.
 
Well done to you all and I hope to see you in New York in November to celebrate.