Posted 1:29 am Friday, February 10, 2012
Local Businesses Receive Awards For Excellence
By CASEY MURPHY
Business Editor
Two local businesses were honored Thursday night at the BBB Centennial Celebration and Awards Ceremony.
In addition to celebrating 100 years, the Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas presented the BBB Awards for Excellence to two companies that exemplify ethical behavior and display integrity in all aspects of their operations — toward their employees, vendors, customers and within their community.
The BBB Award for Excellence for a company with more than 25 employees was given to Traditions Restaurant and Catering.
Robert Owens opened Traditions on South Broadway Avenue in 1999 and has found success in the cafeteria-style concept. Owens has been in the cafeteria business for 35 years, working as a general manager for Luby’s Cafeteria for 23 years before opening Traditions. Last year, he and his wife Kandi opened Corner Bakery Café and Toppings Yogurt Shoppe.
Business Editor
Two local businesses were honored Thursday night at the BBB Centennial Celebration and Awards Ceremony.
In addition to celebrating 100 years, the Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas presented the BBB Awards for Excellence to two companies that exemplify ethical behavior and display integrity in all aspects of their operations — toward their employees, vendors, customers and within their community.
The BBB Award for Excellence for a company with more than 25 employees was given to Traditions Restaurant and Catering.
Robert Owens opened Traditions on South Broadway Avenue in 1999 and has found success in the cafeteria-style concept. Owens has been in the cafeteria business for 35 years, working as a general manager for Luby’s Cafeteria for 23 years before opening Traditions. Last year, he and his wife Kandi opened Corner Bakery Café and Toppings Yogurt Shoppe.
Travel Masters received the BBB Award for Excellence for a company with 25 employees or less.
Sharon Kay Howell is founder, owner and president of Travel Masters, a travel agency she launched more than a quarter-century ago in Tyler.
Ms. Howell and her agents at Travel Masters, 915 WSW Loop 323, help customers book anything from group and corporate travel to luxury leisure and cruise vacations.
“The mission of the Awards Program is to promote both the importance of ethical business practices and the willingness and efforts made by outstanding businesses to ensure our marketplace remains fair and honorable to everyone,” BBB President/CEO Mechele Agbayani Mills said in a prepared statement. “Today more than ever it’s necessary that we spotlight and celebrate companies in our region who operate with integrity in all aspects of their operations.”
Sharon Kay Howell is founder, owner and president of Travel Masters, a travel agency she launched more than a quarter-century ago in Tyler.
Ms. Howell and her agents at Travel Masters, 915 WSW Loop 323, help customers book anything from group and corporate travel to luxury leisure and cruise vacations.
“The mission of the Awards Program is to promote both the importance of ethical business practices and the willingness and efforts made by outstanding businesses to ensure our marketplace remains fair and honorable to everyone,” BBB President/CEO Mechele Agbayani Mills said in a prepared statement. “Today more than ever it’s necessary that we spotlight and celebrate companies in our region who operate with integrity in all aspects of their operations.”
There were 20 companies nominated for the awards.
Finalists for companies with 25 or less employees included Culinary Crossroads and United Heritage Credit Union.
Finalists for companies with more than 25 employees were Vascular Specialists, Jennings Scrap and Salvage Company, Joe Tex, Inc., Rudd Services and Strategic Fulfillment Group.
Winners were chosen by an independent panel of judges.
For the first time, the BBB Student of Integrity Scholarship was given to a high school student who demonstrated exceptional character, leadership and ethical values, providing them with the opportunity to continue their education beyond high school and become a future leader. Shelby Marie Jonston attends Paul Pewitt High School in Naples, where she is captain of the varsity cheer squad, vice president of the National Honor Society, is senior class historian and is the layout and design editor for the yearbook. She plans to attend The University of Texas at Austin and major in art history.
Interactive entertainer/comedian Adam Christing entertained the sold-out audience of about 250 people at The Arbor in Tyler.
He has been ranked among the top five after-dinner speakers in America and has performed for more than 3,000 audiences in North America. He mixes humor, leadership and creative communication and has a knack for “getting everybody laughing.” He is the founder of “Clean Comedians” and has been featured on more than 100 radio and TV shows, including “Entertainment Tonight,” FOX News and ABC World News.
Sponsors include Tyler Junior College and TJC West Campus; Southside Bank; Hibbs, Hallmark & Company and The Genecov Group.
Finalists for companies with 25 or less employees included Culinary Crossroads and United Heritage Credit Union.
Finalists for companies with more than 25 employees were Vascular Specialists, Jennings Scrap and Salvage Company, Joe Tex, Inc., Rudd Services and Strategic Fulfillment Group.
Winners were chosen by an independent panel of judges.
For the first time, the BBB Student of Integrity Scholarship was given to a high school student who demonstrated exceptional character, leadership and ethical values, providing them with the opportunity to continue their education beyond high school and become a future leader. Shelby Marie Jonston attends Paul Pewitt High School in Naples, where she is captain of the varsity cheer squad, vice president of the National Honor Society, is senior class historian and is the layout and design editor for the yearbook. She plans to attend The University of Texas at Austin and major in art history.
Interactive entertainer/comedian Adam Christing entertained the sold-out audience of about 250 people at The Arbor in Tyler.
He has been ranked among the top five after-dinner speakers in America and has performed for more than 3,000 audiences in North America. He mixes humor, leadership and creative communication and has a knack for “getting everybody laughing.” He is the founder of “Clean Comedians” and has been featured on more than 100 radio and TV shows, including “Entertainment Tonight,” FOX News and ABC World News.
Sponsors include Tyler Junior College and TJC West Campus; Southside Bank; Hibbs, Hallmark & Company and The Genecov Group.
