November 7, 2007

Sue Lobrano, executive director of the USA International Ballet Competition, was recently selected by the Mississippi World Trade Center (MSWTC) as the 2007 recipient of the Tozzoli International Leadership Award. This award recognizes a Mississippi business leader for excellence in international business leadership. The honoree is an individual whose company or organization has done a particularly outstanding job of promoting international trade, investment or tourism. Previous honorees include Dr. Janos Radvanyi, Hartley Peavey, Hassell Franklin, Lex Taylor, and Woods Eastland.

“We at the Mississippi World Trade Center feel that Ms. Lobrano’s career history and entrepreneurial spirit epitomize everything that we promote,” said Barbara Travis, executive director of the MSWTC. “Ms. Lobrano has demonstrated international expertise, professionalism and a willingness to share Mississippi culture with others from across the globe.”

This award is named in honor of Guy Tozzoli, Founder and President of the World Trade Center Association in New York City and three-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize. He also has the distinction of being the engineer who hired the architects and oversaw the building of the Twin Towers. His guiding mission has been “peace and stability through trade.”

“I’m honored to be chosen for this special recognition,” said Lobrano. “ Promoting international tourism goes hand in hand with running an international arts business. Dance enthusiasts flock to Jackson not only for exceptional dancing, but to enjoy the hospitality and unique offerings of our city and state. ”

Lobrano is beginning her 27th year with the USA IBC. Prior to joining the USA IBC staff in 1980, she owned her own school of dance, and later taught for Thalia Mara at the Jackson Ballet.

During her tenure, the USA International Ballet Competition has gained an international reputation as a premiere event. She played an integral role in obtaining the Congressional Resolution recognizing the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson as the official international ballet competition in the United States. She continues to work on the educational aspects of the competition for the dancers, and represents the Jackson competition at other international competitions around the world.

Ms. Lobrano is a founding member of the World Dance Alliance, and served on the Executive Board of the Mississippi Dance Association for five years. She also serves on Advisory Boards for Ballet Mississippi, and Pointe Magazine, a national publication. She was awarded Jackson's A Hometown Hero Award by the Metro Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau for her work with the arts and tourism, and received the A Hands of Providence Award from Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth for her commitment to serving Metro Jackson's children. Sue is a past President of the Metro Jackson Attractions Association and was selected by the Mississippi Business Journal as one of Mississippi's top fifty business women.