(BBB)
Better Business Bureau® of Eastern and Southwest Missouri and Southern Illinois (BBB®) honored 11 businesses and two charities with 2022 TORCH Awards and two students with Student of Ethics awards. The awards were presented at a luncheon on Oct. 20 at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis.
“BBB TORCH Awards recognize companies and charities committed to exceptional service and high ethics,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB St. Louis President and CEO. “These organizations have truly joined BBB’s mission of advancing marketplace trust in an exemplary way, and they are role models for other businesses and nonprofits in the community.”
Bestselling author and business thought leader Stephen M.R. Covey was the keynote speaker. Covey is the former CEO of Covey Leadership Center, the force behind The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. His books include The SPEED of Trust – The One Thing That Changes Everything, and his newest, Trust and Inspire.
KSDK evening news anchor Kelly Jackson emceed the event.
Eleven companies are being recognized for their commitment to exceptional business ethics and customer satisfaction:
- AccuCare Home Health Care of St. Louis, founded in 1994, employs nearly 300 caregivers to provide high-quality care with integrity to thousands of area clients. “Winning a TORCH Award is a tremendous honor for AccuCare Home Health Care because the BBB is a trusted and credible source of information for both consumers and businesses alike,” says Cindy Penning, director of business development.
- Aleto Construction Group is a family-owned remodeling firm with more than 1,000 successful home renovations under its belt. The business emphasizes environmental responsibility in its work, as well as a high level of customer satisfaction. “We at Aleto Construction Group strive in making the experience of remodeling seamless for our clients, and this award proves we are doing a good job,” office manager Dean Ritchie says.
- Anton’s Air Conditioning and Heating has been serving the heating and cooling, plumbing, and indoor air quality needs of the St. Louis area for more than 40 years. President Craig Denton says the company’s BBB Accreditation “means we are recognized as a company that is ethical and delivers the highest standard of service.”
- BELOMAN, in business for more than 60 years, provides not only a wide range of heating, cooling and plumbing services, but also a full-service sheet metal shop to meet many architectural needs. Brittany Dwiggins, marketing coordinator, says winning a TORCH Award “means that the passion we have for this industry and drive we have to make our customer happy is reflecting in our work.”
- Design Aire Heating and Cooling has grown from its roots as a one-man heating business operating out of a South St. Louis home into a fourth-generation family-owned company with more than 100 years of HVAC experience. "Winning the TORCH Award is a great validation that the customer service practices that are at the heart of Design Aire are not only being embraced by everyone in the company and appreciated by our customers, but also noticed by an organization as reputable as BBB,” vice president Seth Goldkamp says.
- Extreme Electrical Contractors has grown from 2 employees to more than 40 employees over the last 10 years and has diversified to include excavation services for underground infrastructure in addition to a full range of electrical work. “Winning this award means the world to us,” says Caleb Hunter, co-owner. “It is a testimony to our customers and our team on the work that we perform and how well we perform it.”
- Pure Pest has been offering pest control and disinfecting services in the St. Louis area since 1954, with significant growth in the last few years. “Our team at Pure Pest is committed to going the extra mile for our neighbors, no matter what the service, circumstance, or situation,” says marketing manager Stephanie Brown. “Winning a BBB TORCH Award confirms we are doing right by our customers and living out one of our values, which is integrity.”
- Rottler Pest Solutions is a household name in pest and wildlife control, serving three states while remaining locally owned by three generations of the Rottler family. "It’s an honor to be recognized for what we do best -- our customer service, and providing our consumer with a unique and personable experience,” marketing manager Sarah Young says.
- StraightUp Solar is a major player in the growing field of residential and commercial solar panels, with more than 100 employees and nearly 2,000 completed projects under its belt. “The TORCH Award signals the importance of our company values in our daily interactions with our customers' projects,” says Eric Schneider, director of business development.
- Stratum Structural Systems is a specialty contractor with expertise in basement waterproofing and foundation repair, as well as egress window installation. “By winning the BBB TORCH Award, we feel validated that our approach to rapid customer service and a dedication to ethics has been noticed,” founder Matt Ford says. “With the honor also comes great responsibility to carry this forward and renew our efforts in these areas.”
- Volpe Consulting and Accounting Services offers a full range of financial services to small businesses and franchises throughout the St. Louis area. Apple Volpe, CEO, says winning a TORCH Award “is a validation of our tireless efforts to maintain a high standard of service to our clients, and the resultant trust that our clients have for us.”
Two nonprofits are being recognized for their commitment to outstanding ethics and exceptional service to clients and community:
- Angels’ Arms operates a network of foster homes serving nearly 100 children every year, with a goal of keeping sibling groups together. Bess Wilfong, executive director, said the organization is pleased to win a TORCH Award “because it conveys to the community that we manage our operations in a professional and responsible manner.”
- Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis provides a wide range of services and support for people with Down syndrome and their families. “We are a relatively small organization, but we dedicate many resources to ensuring we are operating with the highest ethical standards,” says Erin Suelmann, executive director.
Two high school students are being honored with the $2,500 Student of Ethics scholarship award:
- Caroline Bouc, Althoff Catholic High School, Belleville, Illinois
- Jesse Gathungu, Principia School, St. Louis
Dave Mungenast Family of Dealerships was the underwriting sponsor for the 2022 BBB St. Louis TORCH Awards. Caleres and Nestlé Purina were the event's Student of Ethics sponsors. Contributing sponsors were AccuCare Home Health Care of St Louis, Ameren and Lewis Rice.
