Nominees were suggested by mutual fund industry veterans and then "vetted and selected" by the editorial staff of the Institutional Investor News.

Those recognized are "the trendsetters of the future," having demonstrated "experience, dedication and consistency" in their capacities as professionals in the financial world.

Over the last few years, Saturna’s achievements in managing the Amana Funds have been recognized by awards and high ratings from prestigious fund rating agencies in United States and overseas.

The Amana Funds were named the Best U.S. Equity Fund for 2006 by Failaka Islamic Fund Awards.

That same year, Failaka also named Nicholas Kaiser — Saturna’s director and president and the Amana Funds portfolio manager — Best Fund Manager.

Moreover, both of the Amana Funds have, over the last year, consistently earned a five-star ranking overall by Morningstar investment research firm.

Kaiser said, "Saturna has always believed in hiring and maintaining the most qualified and talented executives in the country.

Awards like this, and the performance awards received by the Amana Funds, give investors more confidence that we are committed to this goal."

Salam, deputy portfolio manager of the Amana Funds, oversees all of Saturna’s halal (permissible) investment management accounts, and has been instrumental in building Saturna’s Islamic-related assets under management to over $1 billion.

He has also chaired and participated as a speaker at several Islamic finance and investment conferences worldwide.

Salam is active within the Muslim community in North America as the current chairman of Peaceful Communications, a nonprofit organization that recently wrapped up post-production on the documentary "On a Wing and a Prayer: An American Muslim Learns to Fly."