Spotlight! On Business Award Recipients Announced
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Celebrates Member Businesses’ Achievements
TACOMA, Wash. – Seven Spotlight! On Business award recipients were announced at the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s awards luncheon held at Hotel Murano today.
The Spotlight! On Business Awards recognizes the accomplishments and civic contributions that Chamber member businesses make to the community. The selection committee, made up of volunteers, based their choices by following five criteria: staying power, growth in employees, evidence of contributions to community-oriented projects, innovativeness of product or service and response to adversity.
2014 Spotlight! On Business Award Recipients:
Small Business Award: AlphaGraphics Tacoma
Recognized for their dedication to the community by pledging time, materials, and products to numerous non-profits and through their involvement with the Children’s Museum of Tacoma, Habitat for Humanity, and Communities in Schools. They also recently expanded their facility to 5,000 square feet from 3,000 square feet to meet the needs of their steadily growing number of clients.
Medium Business Award: Kel-Tech Plastics
Recognized for their business’s remarkable growth including expanding from three employees to currently more than 37 employees, Kel-Tech Plastics believes in staying cutting edge by adding new equipment and learning about new materials and fabrication processes to ensure that they keep their clients on the frontline of the industry.
Large Business Award: Pacific Continental Bank
Recognized for their steady growth, nearly tripling in size since 1972, this once small community bank has grown into a notable regional bank, with 296 employees serving the key markets of Washington and Oregon. Along the way, Pacific Continental Bank has consistently been ranked as one of the top employers in the Pacific Northwest by almost all relevant industry and news publications.
Non-Profit Organization Award: FISH Food Banks of Pierce County
Recognized not only for their service model where their clients are able to choose the food that meets their family's dietary needs, cultural and personal preferences and their Connection Centers which provide a one-stop shop for families in need, but for their innovation in engaging in new practices to serve their clients. By implementing bulk buying, FISH Food Banks of Pierce County were able to save more than $70,000 in 2014 off their food purchasing budget. They even share these bulk bargains with partner agencies who do not have the buying power to accomplish bulk buys on their own.
Minority Owned Business Award: Power Crews
Recognized for their expansion and growth while pursuing their mission of empowering individuals with disabilities to become self-employed using their skills and talents, Power Crews recently acquired space with the Salvation Army of Tacoma for their business and their business partners are now being featured at four farmers markets and MultiCare Health System’s gift shops.
Veteran-Owned Business Award: Stewart & Son Computer Services
Recognized for their success, including a 31% average growth in sales every quarter since opening in 2012, United States Army veteran owner Wade Stewart, began with
one important goal in mind: creating a customer-centric niche for computer, network and server support services for small businesses. Stewart and Son began with one person, then hired their first employee in May of 2013, just 13 months after starting, adding their 2nd full-time employee in September of 2013 and, as business continued to grow, hired their first part-time apprentice in February of 2014.
Business Supporter of the Military Award: RallyPoint/6
Recognized for their strong support system in providing comprehensive resources to not only Veterans, but also to their family members and individuals who currently serve in the Armed Forces with resources that include housing difficulties, employment preparedness and search, educational opportunities, financial and legal options, and volunteer opportunities. RallyPoint/6 is a convening location in the community where the service member, veteran or family member can get connected with community organizations that will assist on their next steps forward to their new objective.
The Chamber applauds the award recipients and finalists for their contributions to the community and Pierce County’s economy.
The Chamber extends its gratitude to Spotlight! On Business Awards Presenting Sponsor Business Health Trust, Awards Sponsor Tapco Credit Union, B2B Sponsor 2014 News Tribune Business Expo, Media Sponsor Clear Channel Outdoor, Business Supporter of the Military Award Sponsor Harborstone Credit Union, Entertainment Sponsor Hardcastle AV and Gift Sponsor Harry & David, for their support in making the event possible.