(IABBB)
5 companies were honored for ethical business practices and selected to receive the 2022 BBB International Torch Awards for Ethics.
The International Association of Better Business Bureaus (IABBB) announced the winners of the 2022 International Torch Awards for Ethics (SM). Five businesses are honored for their outstanding commitment to leadership character and organizational ethics. Each will be honored at a virtual ceremony on November 30, 2022.
The winners are:
· Greater Prairie Business Consulting, Inc., Irving, TX
· Cross Pointe Auto, Amarillo, TX
· The Dan Company, Nashville, TN
· First Community Mortgage, Murfreesboro, TN
· Credit Union of Texas, Allen, TX
Presented annually since 1996, the BBB International Torch Awards for Ethics recognize businesses in North America that maintain an outstanding dedication to upholding ethical business practices and promoting trust in the marketplace.
“The International Torch Awards for Ethics is one of the most important programs we do each year,” said Kip Morse, IABBB President and CEO. “BBB sets standards to make trust a fundamental component of the American marketplace, but these businesses are out there every day making it happen. By awarding them the 2022 International Torch Award for Ethics, we are demonstrating to the business community that adhering to Better Business Bureau ethical standards is the hallmark of successful, competitive companies.”
About the winners
Category 1 (1-10 Employees)
Greater Prairie Business Consulting, Inc., Irving, TX: For over 20 years, Greater Prairie Business Consulting’s founder and solopreneur James J. “Jim” Talerico, Jr. has helped small to mid-sized privately held and family-owned businesses across North America tackle tough business problems to improve their organization performance. The company provides free post-project support and guarantees an ROI for the consulting solutions installed in a client’s company. Each client is given a copy of the Institute of Management Consultants Professional Code of Ethics to demonstrate the company’s commitment to ethics. Clients are also periodically asked for feedback to ensure the client’s satisfaction with their projects. During the Covid-19 shutdown, Mr. Talerico created a certification course entitled “8 Steps to Becoming an Ethics-Focused Organization” TM to help small businesses improve their focus on compliance and ethics. In June 2022, he won two-(2) Gold Stevie Awards for “Thought Leadership” at the American Business Awards ® in New York City, and more recently “Texas CEO of the Year,” by CEO Today Magazine. In October 2022, he was identified as a “Top Management Consultant Entrepreneur to Watch in 2023” by Entrepreneur Magazine, in large part because of the book. Mr. Talerico gives back to the community through his industry’s association, by providing pro bono work, and by donating to causes important to his values. Greater Prairie Business Consulting, Inc. was named a winner of the 2021 Torch Award for Ethics (SM) presented by BBB serving North Central Texas.
Cross Pointe Auto, Amarillo, TX: Cross Pointe Auto is a locally owned Christian business that is committed to building relationships with the community by providing superior customer service during the auto buying experience. Established in 2009, the company prides itself on meeting the transportation needs of its customers with honesty and integrity. This starts with its hiring practices. The company interviews extensively as a team, giving current employees the opportunity to select the best candidate for the job. Whether it is training in sales, leadership, law, and regulations, all team members participate in the company’s training process. Team members at Cross Pointe Auto also have the ability to approve repairs for a customer's vehicle within $150 or less without management approval. All used vehicles sold go through a 153 Point inspection and most have a 3 month/3,000 miles warranty. The company strives to be an active participant in its community. From sponsoring events to donating cash to organizations in need, to hosting blood drives or delivering critically needed blood to local hospitals or cancer treatment centers, the company believes in giving back to its community. Cross Pointe Auto received the 2021 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics (SM) presented by BBB Amarillo, TX.
Category 2 (11-99 employees)
The Dan Company, Nashville, TN: The Dan Company has provided high-quality home remodeling and general contracting services to its surrounding community since 2010. The company adheres to a strong commitment to communication, transparency, intentionality, and community. These four values play a significant role in the way CEO Dan Bird leads his team. From the leadership team to the field crew, each team member has an opportunity to provide their feedback about the goals of the organization, projects, or their work-life balance either through regular individual calls, morning meetings or during their performance reviews. The company also hosts quarterly company-wide events so that staff can get to know one another outside of their daily jobs. Customer satisfaction is also top of mind for The Dan Company. Each customer receives calls at different stages of a project to make sure their expectations are being met and to give them a space to voice any concerns they may have about their project. The company also provides weekly billing so that customers are up to date on their budget spending. The Dan Company has never shied away from spending more money on a project to ensure the integrity of the work, even if it means sacrificing some of the profit for the job. Whether they are contributing to a cause, donating construction materials, or helping the community get back on its feet after a natural disaster, The Dan Company and its team members are committed to giving back. The company was the recipient of the 2021 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics (SM) presented by BBB Nashville, TN.
Category 3 (100-499 employees)
First Community Mortgage, Murfreesboro, TN: Since 2002, First Community Mortgage’s (FCM) mission has been to enable more people to secure their American Dream through home ownership. FCM is dedicated to educating its customers, so they feel confident they are making the best choices that fit their individual needs for one of the largest investments of their lifetime. The company launched the Multicultural Lending Initiative in 2016 with the primary objective of providing support to potential homebuyers in underserved communities. The initiative has evolved to take a multidimensional approach to promoting homeownership, using intensive market outreach, opening a Home Opportunity Center in the Multicultural Epicenter of Nashville, and creating educational materials and events providing orientation tailored to the unique needs of the clients. Employees work every day to ensure the customer experience does not stop at the client but helps the entire home-buying team. The company continuously invests in the growth and development of its team members through its First Community Mortgage Leadership Academy. And FCM employees are recognized each year with the company’s We Serve Four Award. Team members are nominated by their peers for a focus on the client experience, continual employee engagement, giving back to others, consistent shareholder returns, and participation in company events. The company’s commitment to community service and to its clients from all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds is an integral part of its corporate culture. FCM was the recipient of the 2021 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics (SM) presented by BBB Nashville, TN.
Category 4 (500 or more employees)
Credit Union of Texas, Allen, TX: Founded by a group of Dallas teachers in 1931, Credit Union of Texas (CUTX) has been providing financial services to members throughout North Texas for nearly 100 years. Living out its vision to deliver an unexpected experience, CUTX has grown to over $2 billion in assets and serves over 150,000 members. The organization is constantly cultivating an experience that is inclusive, unifying and empowering for all parties and stakeholders. Employees are empowered to help each customer with their personal financial needs and end every interaction with a smile. That is the CUTX way. Every month, CUTX highlights more than 15 examples of employees delivering an outstanding member experience through its ongoing program, Experience Champions. Throughout the organizational structure, numerous employees have found a passion for starting community initiatives, educating the population on personal finances, and bringing the credit union to communities in need of its services. In honor of its heritage as a credit union founded by a group of teachers, CUTX remains focused on supporting its local schools. Each year, the CUTX team supports 36 school districts throughout the region in the form of scholarships, academic and athletic programs, and teacher sponsorships. The organization also provides support for key initiatives involving suburban homelessness, domestic violence, special needs, food scarcity and child advocacy. CUTX is the recipient of the 2021 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics (SM) winner presented by BBB serving North Central Texas.
In addition, four businesses were named finalists in the competition.
· Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie, Louisville, KY - for its dedication to community engagement and commitment to empowering children through reading.
· Basement Systems USA, LLC, Elkton, MD – for providing its customers with superior, high-quality products and creating a healthy work environment for its employees.
· Integrated Project Management, Burr Ridge, IL – for creating a thriving and sustaining value–based culture and providing excellent benefits and services for its workforce.
· Preferred Credit, Inc., St. Cloud, MN - for providing honest, superior services with a commitment to operational excellence and for going above and beyond during times of uncertainty.
Winners and finalists are selected by an independent panel of judges. Businesses are evaluated against criteria such as leadership commitment to ethical practices; commitment to organizational culture; internal practices to build better customer relationships; and organizational commitment to the community. To be eligible for entry in the BBB International Torch Awards for Ethics, a business must first be a winner of its local BBB awards program.
Media Contacts: For more information, journalists should contact Melanie McGovern at 703-247-9351 or [email protected]