The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) awarded four prominent Indian Americans and three Americans for their outstanding and tireless work as entrepreneurs and for "building bridges" between India and United States of America. The Houston based IACCGH given the awards at a gala event  themed "Building Bridges" here.

Malisha Patel, 36, who is the chief operating officer of Memorial Hermann Hospital Sugar Land earned the "Young Professional of the Year" award, while Woman entrepreneur award went to Revati Puranik, CFO, Worldwide Oilfield Machine, a company that specializes in manufacturing oil and gas equipment.

Bhavesh (Bob) Patel, CEO LyondellBasell was awarded with Business leader of the year, while entrepreneur of the year was given to the founder and CEO Shipcom Wireless, Abezaar S Tayabji.

Lifetime Achievement awards were presented to three Americans, Richard Huebner, former president Houston Minority Supplier Development, Marvin Odum, former Shell USA president, and Dr John Mendelsohn, former president M D Anderson Cancer Center, for bridging barriers betwen India and USA.

The chief guest and keynote speaker was Bruce Culpepper, President, Shell USA, while the event was attended by over 700 guests, comprising top business leaders, Counsil General of India Dr Anupam Ray, prominent community members, University of Houston chancellor and president Dr Renu Khator.

Various elected officials such as Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Pete Olson, Congressman Al Green, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Mayor of Houston Sylvester Turner, City of Houston Controller Chris Brown, Council member Jack Christie, were also present during the program.

The Consul general Dr. Ray said that, "When you do business in India you are essentially doing business with a country that is more like the US than many countries in the world."

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Nandini