2010 Business Excellence Awards Finalists Announced

Posted on | December 10, 2009 |

Sean Donovan

The Tempe Chamber is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2010 Business Excellence Awards. These awards promote the advancement of responsible business leadership in the community and publicly recognize local businesses demonstrating a passion for excellence.

Through the awards, the Tempe Chamber identifies companies whose practices in business growth, employee development, community involvement and customer service exemplify excellence. This year’s six finalists admirably embody those characteristics and are being recognized for that distinction.

The recipients of the 2010 Business Excellence Awards will be announced and honored at the Breakfast for Chamber Champions next month. Please call (480) 967-7891 or visit www.tempechamber.org for details or to register.

The 2010 finalists are listed below:

Benefits by Design is a full-service group insurance consulting and brokerage firm founded in 1997 by one person with a vision and has since grown yearly by at least 10%. Today it has expanded to offer cutting-edge, creative solutions to its clients and serve as an extension of the human resources department helping with claims, billing and benefit questions. It is active in several organizations including the National Association of Health Underwriters and National Association of Women Business Owners and sponsors a family through St. Vincent De Paul.  www.benefitsbydesignaz.com

Educational Options is an educational software company offering a variety of products to the K-12 community. It is focused on merging technology and content delivery systems with highly qualified teachers in a classroom environment to facilitate an educational synergy that provides students with opportunities for success. Since April 2003, the company has grown from five employees to more than 145, expanded its client base from 200 schools to more than 1,500, and increased the number of students served from 17,000 to more than 400,000 per year. www.edoptions.com

Edward Jones is a leader in the financial services industry with nearly 7 million clients in North America and Europe. The company is focused on building personalized customer relationships and adheres to a quality-oriented, long-term investment philosophy. Locally, it employs 670 associates at its Tempe campus where it conducts broker training and mutual-fund processing. It has 130 branch offices in the Phoenix area with plans to add 250 more over the next five years. The company is extensively involved with charitable causes including the Valley of the Sun United Way and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. www.edwardjones.com

House of Tricks Restaurant in Tempe started in a small rented house in 1987 with a staff of five, and grew by adding patios and an outdoor bar before finally purchasing the original house and the historically-recognized home next door. Today, with its distinguished wine cellar, talented chefs and staff and affordable gourmet menu, it attracts a loyal clientele who enjoy the restaurant’s dedication to service and quality. It serves food at Empty Bowls and other charity events, and through its annual Wine Fiesta donates funds to venues and programs which support children, culture and learning. www.houseoftricks.com

Southwest Gas was founded in 1931 in California and expanded into Arizona in 1979, growing into one of the southwest’s leading providers of natural gas. Delivering one of the most efficient, clean forms of energy available, the company is dedicated to ethical, responsible growth and takes active roles in supporting local communities and organizations like the United Way, the Urban League, chambers of commerce and others. Southwest Gas has been recognized with the President’s “Points of Light” award for its positive impacts on the communities it serves. www.swgas.com

Veolia Transportation started in 1875 with a horse drawn tram in France and has grown into one of the largest public transit organizations in the U.S. and internationally. Today, it operates the Valley Metro bus system and has coordinated it in Tempe with neighborhood Flash and Orbit shuttles and connections to the light rail to serve as a transportation system for the community. The company embraces environmental and social awareness and a focus on quality of life in the cities that it serves, actively engaging with and supporting the community through a wide variety of causes. www.veoliatransportation.com

Last year’s recipients of the award were Morrison Maierle and Telesphere. 

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