MilitaryStars, Orion International Hailed as 2006 American Business AwardsSM Finalists

Fourth Annual Stevie Awards will be presented on June 12 in New York City

MilitaryStars and Orion International, the nationís largest military career expo company and the nationís largest military placement and consulting company respectively, have been recognized as American Business Awards Finalists in two key categories.

Sarasota, FL-based MilitaryStars is a finalist in the Best New Company category. ìWeíve always believed our mission and goal of helping military veterans find quality civilian jobs is a noble one,î said MilitaryStars CEO Hal Fischer, adding, ìBeing selected a finalist for best new company only furthers our overall message that military veterans make great employees ñ our company is comprised almost solely of military veterans, and without their work, we wouldnít have received this honor.î

Orion International, the Raleigh, NC-based parent company of MilitaryStars, secured another key nomination: Bill Laughlin, CEO, was selected a finalist for the Best Executive category. ìIn a word, Iím humbled,î he said. ìThis is a great honor, and my only hope is that my nomination only goes to propel the cause of helping our military veterans find good civilian jobs. Theyíve served; theyíve earned the chance at a top-notch civilian career. We love being able to provide veterans with civilian employment, and any notoriety we receive through the ABA will only continue to highlight the culture of service to military veterans that our companies embody on a daily basis.î

Hailed as ìthe business worldís own Oscarsî by the New York Post (April 27, 2005), The American Business Awards are the only national, all-encompassing business awards program honoring great performances in the workplace.

Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word ìcrowned,î winners will be announced during the annual gala on Monday, June 12 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. More than 800 executives from across the U.S.A. are expected to attend. The ceremonies will be videocast on the Internet and broadcast on radio.

More than 1,500 entries from companies of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted for consideration in more than 40 categories, including Best Overall Company, Best Executive, Best New Product or Service, and Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program.

Finalists were chosen by business professionals nationwide during preliminary judging in March through early May.

R. S. Owens, the same company that makes the Oscar and the Emmy, designed the elegant Stevie trophy.

ìBeing named a Finalist in The American Business Awards is an important achievement,î said Michael Gallagher, founder and president of The Stevie Awards. ìIt means that independent business executives have agreed that the nominee is worthy of national recognition. We congratulate all of the Finalists on their achievement and wish them well in the competition.î

About MilitaryStars: The nationís largest military career expo company, veteran-owned MilitaryStars furthers its mission to assist transitioning military and veterans in finding civilian jobs via regional career expos throughout the United States. Please visit the newly revamped www.militarystars.com, where candidates and employers alike will find post-military employment resources and services, or call (800) 775-1415 for further assistance and information.

About Orion International: The nationís largest military placement firm, Orion International, through its over 100 employees and seven offices nationwide, is operated and run by former military that fully understand the uniqueness and intricacies of military members transitioning into the civilian sector of industry. With that appreciation, Orion works hard to understand its candidates and clients by putting their goals first. To learn more, please visit www.orioninternational.com, or call (800) 872-5002.