On May 31st, 2010 Michel OBIEGALA, the outgoing President since 2004, began the meeting of the Board of Directors and then of the General Meeting of Lorraine Internationale by stating to the audience that he would not extend his term of office, as head of the association which was created eleven years ago by the Région Lorraine.

He has been called for new duties into the Regional Council and also wished the best to this organ of the economic development, which counts a total of 70 members (companies, local authorities…). He underlined its pride to support the development and the promotion, as a tool for the companies based in Lorraine and for the relocated employees.

After the presentation of the financial report, the budget and goals for 2010, he thanked Jean TONIOLO, Director, as well as the whole team for their commitment over the past year. The President OBIEGALA then introduced the new general administrators of the association, i.e. the representatives of Metz Métropole Développement, of the Agglomeration Community of Forbach Porte de France, the CEEI Synergie, the WTC Metz-Saarbrücken, the companies Geci International Sky-Aircraft in Chambley and Interpane in Seingbouse, Habitat Gestion in Nancy, and the school Ensemble Scolaire St Sigisbert in Nancy. They were all accepted unanimously.

The outgoing President then put Rachel THOMAS name forward as a candidate for President position of the association. Mrs THOMAS is Vice-president of the Regional Council of Lorraine, in charge of tourism and promotion issues. She has been unanimously elected President of Lorraine Internationale.

In her introduction speech, she declared her will of being strongly committed into this original organisation, which that contributes to the economic development of the region, thanks to the support to employees, managers, engineers or researchers relocated in Lorraine. Furthermore, she called for the administrators to get involved in this collective movement in order to protect and develop Lorraine Internationale, which has definitely been full of bounce for a while – as proved by the recent visits or debates organised with VIESSMANN Faulquement SAS, Usines CLAAS France SAS in Woippy, SMART France SAS in Hambach, ThyssenKrupp Presta France in Fameck…

Contacts:

Jean TONIOLO, Director

Claudia KIETZMANN BOHR, Public Relations

Tel.: +33 (0)3.87.34.24.15

Fax: +33 (0)3.87.34.24.16

Email: lorinter@lorraine.eu

Website: www.lorraine-internationale.fr

Photo by the "Républicain Lorrain"

Director Jean TONIOLO, beside Rachel THOMAS, new President of Lorraine Internationale.