Wybitny Polak is an award given by the Foundation Teraz Polska to outstanding Poles living abroad in recognition of their professional achievements and promoting a positive image of Poland. The awards are given in five categories: business, culture, science, personality and Young Pole (less than 35 years). The West Coast edition (Los Angeles consular region, including Washington) has announced the following 2016 recipients:
Personality – Zenon Neumark (Holocaust survivor, educator, longtime activist in Polish-Jewish Relations)
Business – Janusz Bryzek (semiconductors inventor, prominent businessman in Silicon Valley)
Science – prof. Grażyna Odyniec (UC Berkeley, a prominent professional in the field of quantum physics)
Culture – Dariusz Oles Oleszkiewicz (base player, for last 25 years appearing with most prominent American musicians, lecturer at University of California Irvine)
Young Pole – Michał Pietrzyk (filmmaker, Artistic Director at the Seattle Polish Film Festival, active in the Polish-American community)
More information on: The Foundation of the Polish Promotional Emblem „Teraz Polska” | FB