The Brazos Valley region of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) announced its 2013 Torch Award recipients Thursday afternoon.
The Torch Award recognizes businesses committed to maintaining exceptionally high standards of ethical behavior in buyer and seller relationships. The Torch Award acknowledges the outstanding companies that work to uphold the trust and respect of their customers in the area served by this BBB.
Opening remarks from BBB Board Chairman John Lynn of Anco Insurance and Ben Downs of Bryan Broadcasting.
There were 13 finalists qualifying for a Torch Award in either the small or medium sized business category. There were no finalists for the large business category of 100 or more employees.
Winning the small business category was Schaefer Custom Homes and the medium sized business winner was Watson Orthodontics.
The winners were selected from a group of finalists that also included BCR Realtors, Brazos Valley Automotive, Brazos Valley COmputers, Clark Isenhour Real Estate Services LLC, Final Touch Roofing, Hernandez Law Firm P.C., Holman’s Quality Plumbing, Party Time Rentals Inc., Postoak Florist, RDM Audio & Video, and Veritas Wine & Bistro.
Ben Downs announces the 2013 Torch Award winners.
The featured speaker of the event was James Olson, most recently from the George Bush School of Government and Public Service. Formerly he served as a career officer in the Directorate of Operations of the Central Intelligence Agency, serving mostly overseas in clandestine operations. He speaks four languages and has written two books; lastly, Fair Play: The Moral Dilemmas of Spying.
Remarks from James Olsen.
More information about this year’s Torch Award winners is courtesy of the Better Business Bureau:
Category 1 (Small Business) – Awarded to Schaefer Custom Homes
This business was started when the owner was 18 years old and attending college and for 25 years has been committed to making a positive impact on the community. The core values of honesty and integrity are the foundation of every client relationship, and this commitment has enabled them to weather the swings in the market over the past 25 years. 2013 will be record year for this company, and is proof that doing business with honesty and integrity and doing the right things pays off. It is felt that the ethical standards that are adhered to as well as the quality of construction and their outstanding reputation sell their houses.
The judges noticed an underlying theme throughout the reference letters: His attention to detail is outstanding, He is always accessible and is patient with numerous questions, Service after the sale gives the buyers peace of mind, and quoting from the most impressive reference letter: “He is a consummate professional in all that he does….He has an impeccable reputation in the Bryan-College Station community—one of integrity, honesty, and honor….a man who stands behind his work and has the integrity that so many value in a home builder these days.”
Category 2 (Medium Business) – Awarded to Watson Orthodontics
The recipient in this category has been in business for 47 years. Embracing ethical business practices, supporting the community, and treating clients by the Golden Rule have been the core principles followed by this business since its inception. Ethics are essential in any business or profession, but especially when dealing with a person’s health. The strict rules and regulations dictated by the industry are followed without exception. The office team is trained and well versed in these rules, and is routinely tested to qualify for certification; additionally, the staff meets on a regular basis to insure all of their processes are grounded in ethical practices.
The recommendations from patients were numerous, but one from a factory rep was most telling, “In all these years of doing business, he has been ethical and set a great example on how to run a successful, growing business. Part of the proof is in the longevity of his excellent staff, as only the best practices can keep a solid team together for the length of time he has kept his team members.”
Letters from peers revealed: His approach to treating patients has never been based on what insurance will or will not pay or the patient’s ability to pay, but to see that they achieve the best level of care, He has served the community volunteering his time and money to make Bryan/College Station a quality place to live, He volunteers his time to teach and mentor young dentists, And, he views his fellow health care professionals as colleagues and not competitors.