Mohamed Hamieh (left) of Ford receives the American Arab of the Year in Technology Award from Dr. Daw Alwerfalli.

DEARBORN — The American Arab Chamber of Commerce held its
6th Annual “Celebrating Success” Banquet presented by the American
Arab Professionals Network at Greenfield Manor on Wednesday, May 18.

AACC Executive Director Fay Beydoun spoke about the growing
profile of the Arab American community.

“The community continues to grow in affluence,
strength, and numbers, and now the American Arab community is one of the most
affluent in the nation and an economic powerhouse in the state,” she said.

“We have leaders in fields and arenas like politics,
business, medicine, education, legal, entertainment and many others.

Beydoun also highlighted the chamber’s visit last week along
with 40 CEOs to the White House in order to meet with officials about economic
development in the Middle East and enhancing business between the two regions.

Home Lending Manager in Southeast Michigan for Chase Bank,
Sam Ammar, served as keynote speaker.

“For many of the Arab American community, Michigan has
been the land of opportunity, and we always try to do what’s right at the right
time,” he said, looking around the room and noting the success of the many
guests in attendance at the sold-out banquet.

Hebah Alwerfalli presents the American Arab of the Year in Entrepreneurship Award to Wissam Merhi, president of Game Headz.

Six awards were given out on the night, beginning with Dr.
Michael Boulus for American Arab of the Year in Education.

Boulus has served as the executive director of the
President’s Council for State Universities of Michigan since January of 2003
and has also served as deputy state treasurer for the Michigan Department of
Treasury.

Wissam Merhi, the founder and President of Game Headz,
Incorporated, won the award for American Arab of the Year.

Merhi began selling video games in Highland Park while
working at a gas station and has grown his business into a chain of five stores
including recently-opened franchises in Livonia and Dearborn. He thanked his
wife Lola, who is expecting their first child, among others.

American Arab of the Year for Finance went to Ed Siaje of
Bank of America. His title is Senior Vice President and Consumer Market
Executive for the North Detroit Market in the Consumer and Small Business Bank.
Siaje is responsible for the sales, service, and operations of 48 banking
centers in southeast Michigan and has driven diversity and inclusion efforts as
well.

Attorney Noel Saleh won the award for American Arab of the
Year in the legal field. Saleh has been recognized as fighting against the
highly controversial and intrusive PATRIOT Act and specializes in civil
liberties and immigration law. He’s also served as a board member for the ADC,
Palestine Aid Society of America, and the National Immigration Forum among
other organizations.

Ray Diab‭ (‬left‭) ‬of Citizens Bank presents the American Arab of the Year in Finance Award to Ed Siaje of Bank of America‭.‬

Moe Rustom of Oakwood Hospital, an RN and Director of
Clinical Language Services for the healthcare system, was awarded American Arab
of the year in medicine. He has been in healthcare for over 20 years and is one
of the pioneers of finding language solutions for patients, including Arabic.

The final award on the evening was given to Mohamed Saleh
Hamieh for American Arab of the Year in Technology.

Hamieh developed a new active head restraint system at Ford
Motor Company that will protect people involved in auto accidents from highly
prevalent whiplash injures. His invention is estimated to save about $30
billion in medical care, disability, sick leave, and other costs.

The chamber’s mission is to promote, assist and strengthen
member businesses both domestically and internationally. For more info, visit
www.americanarab.com.