The International Center Honors John Lechleiter as International Citizen of the Year

INDIANAPOLIS - Oct. 8, 2015 - PRLog -- Dr. John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company, is recipient of the 2015 International Citizen of the Year award. Dr. Lechleiter was honored at a special dinner and ceremony on Oct. 6, 2015 at The Indiana Roof Ballroom. The award was presented by former International Citizen of the Year honoree Sidney Taurel, chairman emeritus, Eli Lilly and Company.

This occasion marked the 30^th anniversary of the International Citizen of the Year award, which was established in 1985 to honor individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the globalization of Indiana in business, culture, education, government, medicine, research, media, sports or community service. Dr. Lechleiter currently serves as chairman of the board of trustees for United Way Worldwide and is on the boards of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and Nike, Inc.

Dr. Lechleiter joins a renowned list of prominent community leaders who have each been honored as past International Citizens of the Year including Mayor Greg and Mrs. Winnie Ballard, Tim Solso, Former Governor Mitchell Daniels, Jr., former Senator Richard G Lugar and former Lilly Chairmen Randall L. Tobias and Sidney Taurel.

Honorary Co-Chairs for the event include members of the community with personal and professional ties to Dr. Lechleiter and the award itself. Former Indianapolis Mayor and current Lilly Vice President Barton Peterson emceed the event. Marsha Stone, senior director of enterprise development for the Indianapolis International Airport and James T. Morris, vice chairman of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, served as Event Co-Chairs. Both Event Co-Chairs are members of The International Center’s Board of Directors, and Morris was honored as International Citizen of the Year in 2005.

Other Honorary Co-Chairs include:

Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr., President, Purdue University
Tim Hassinger, President and CEO, Dow AgroSciences
Tom Linebarger, Chairman and CEO, Cummins
Anne Nobles, Senior Vice President, Eli Lilly and Company (retired)
Jack Phillips, President and CEO, Roche Diagnostics
Sidney Taurel, Chairman Emeritus, Eli Lilly and Company
Ambassador Randall L. Tobias, Chairman Emeritus, Eli Lilly and Company
Dr. Margaret Watanabe, Clinical Assistant Professor Emerita for the IU School of Medicine

To receive photos from the event, please contact: Billie Fouts (317) 442-7147

About The International Center

The International Center is a catalyst to inform, convene and connect public, private and civic global objectives in Indiana. For more than 40 years, The International Center has served as a guide to the world’s cultural landscape, and a catalyst for the state’s international growth. Working in collaboration with businesses, organizations, government agencies, educational institutions and individual citizens, The Center expands Indiana’s global interest through a variety of programs and services and through convening diverse interests who share common international goals. The International Center is a member of Global Ties, U.S. For more information visit The Center’s website at http://www.internationalcenter.org.