CAMBRIDGE, MA – October 15, 2009 – Marybeth Tahar, Chair of the Board of Interaction Associates (IA), the 40-year global leader in performance improvement, has been named a Finalist in the 6th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business in the category, “Best Executive of a Service Business (fewer than 100 employees).”

Marybeth Tahar earned her finalist position in large part because of her leadership role in moving ownership of Interaction Associates to an ESOP-structured employee-owned company. Through Marybeth’s efforts, Interaction Associates successfully made its fifth ownership transition in 40 years and embraced 100% employee ownership, in concert with its values.

“I am honored to have earned finalist status in the prestigious Stevie Awards,” said Marybeth Tahar. “By coming together as an ESOP, committing to our rights and responsibilities as employee owners, and through the power of collaboration, we can now take IA’s mission to greater numbers and reward employee owners with additional financial security,” Marybeth said. Research shows that ESOP companies which implement key elements of an ownership culture (sharing company strategy, financial information, employee business training, stakeholder voice, collaborative decision making) experience better performance and greater financial success.

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor women executives, entrepreneurs, and the companies they run – worldwide.  The Stevie Awards have been hailed as the world’s premier business awards.Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word “crowned,” winners will be announced during a gala event at the Marriott Marquis hotel in New York on Friday, November 13.  Nominated women executives and entrepreneurs from the U.S.A and several other countries are expected to attend.   The presentations will be broadcast live on radio in the U.S.A. by the Business TalkRadio Network.

More than 1,100 entries were submitted this year for consideration in 54 categories, including Best Executive, Best Entrepreneur, and Best Community Involvement Program.  

Finalists were chosen by business professionals worldwide during preliminary judging. Members of the Awards' Board of Distinguished Judges & Advisors and their staffs will select Stevie Award winners from among the Finalists during final judging. 

“Being named a Finalist in The Stevie Awards for Women in Business is an important achievement,” said Michael Gallagher, president of the Stevie Awards.  “It means that independent business executives have agreed that the nominee is worthy of recognition.  We congratulate all of the Finalists on their achievement and wish them well in the competition.”

Details about The Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the list of Finalists in all categories are available at www.stevieawards.com/women.  

About Interaction AssociatesInteraction Associates (IA) has nearly 40 years' experience in helping companies find breakthrough solutions to business challenges. IA's integrated management consulting and learning and development services have been used by Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and nonprofit organizations throughout the world. Interaction Associates helps these enterprises set strategic direction, inspire commitment, and build leadership capabilities, leveraging the power of collaborative action for long-term, sustainable results. More at www.interactionassociates.com

About The Stevie AwardsStevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, The Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.  Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide.  Learn more about The Stevie Awards at www.stevieawards.com. Sponsors of the 6th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business (as of October 9) include the Business TalkRadio Network, Covario, Inc., and KeyBank.  Localization partner of the 2009 Stevie Awards is Lionbridge.