At the beginning of each year, CNBC invites Fortune 1000 CEOs to submit nominations for the CNBC Executive Leadership Awards. The nominating panel of CEOs and their designees are asked to name two executives from companies other than their own, in all of the award categories, with the exception of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

CNBC tabulates the ballets and prepares dossiers on the most-nominated candidates. An external judging panel reviews the dossiers and chooses a winner in each category.

The 4th Annual Executive Leadership Awards will recognize executives who in the past year best exemplify:

OVERALL EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Demonstrated by financial results, shareholder value, management, innovation, corporate governance, business practices, and accountability -- as well as intangible factors, such as integrity and vision.

LEADER IN INNOVATION
Exemplified by advances in technology, business practices, management, production, and/or operations, as well as R&D expense as a percentage of sales.

ENTREPRENEURIAL EXCELLENCE
Leveraged calculated risks as a means to rewards, reflecting his/her entrepreneurial spirit.

GREEN LEADERSHIP
Employed innovative solutions that benefit customers and society at large and are vital to success in our changing world,. This is about creating solutions that are economically advantageous, as well as ecologically sound.


CNBC selects the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
The Lifetime Achievement Award honors the extraordinary leader who has accomplished great success over his tenure and whose pioneering work has substantially influenced the business world.