BBB Bestows Torch Awards
Upon Seven Colorado and Wyoming Businesses
Seven businesses — Chapel & Collins, Colorado Customware, Vaught Frye Ripley Design Inc. and Poudre Valley Health Systems, Fort Collins; McWhinney, Loveland; Professional Finance Company, Greeley; and A Thru Z Document Destruction, Cheyenne — were honored this year for exemplary business ethics by the Better Business Bureau serving northern Colorado and greater Wyoming. The awards were announced at the 2009 BBB Torch Awards for Business Ethics April 23 in Fort Collins.
The BBB Torch Awards honor companies that, in addition to demonstrating exemplary management practices, uphold high standards in relationships with customers, suppliers and shareholders, show honesty and integrity in marketing and advertising, and give back to their communities.
Peers, colleagues and customers nominated businesses for the award and business students at the University of Northern Colorado, Colorado State University and the University of Wyoming prepared entries. An independent panel of judges selected this year’s winners.
About the Recipients
Chapel & Collins was created when Donna Chapel and Dennis Collins joined their business practices in 2004. They manage $150 million in investments. “Being awarded for ethical behavior is one of the most flattering awards you could ever ask for,” Chapel said. “Especially in this day and age when the focus is on all the people who haven’t done things right.”
Colorado Customware was founded 20 years ago by Lori Schlotter as a means to provide state-of-the-art software solutions to local and regional governments. The company has 67 customers in 15 states. Schlotter said the Torch Award is a tribute to dedication and hard work to create a successful company “with integrity and employees who have worked for years to create that.”
Vaught Frye Ripley Design Inc.,which began in 1986, has evolved over the years without veering off course. “We’ve always treated our employees well, our consultants well. We’ve always been fair and honest. It’s the way we’ve always worked,” said Robin Pelkey, director/stockholder. “In doing so, you develop a good reputation and people trust you.”
Poudre Valley Health Systems, with more than 3,400 employees and 500 physicians, would not exist without trust, said Pam Brock, vice president of marketing and strategic planning. “Our patients and community place their lives in the hands of professional health providers. We take that trust very seriously and know that we must continue to earn it every single day.”
McWhinney founder and CEO Chad McWhinney said that “Our reputation as being a great place to work attracts associates of the highest caliber with strong values, worth ethic and commitment. To be able to attract and retain the best and brightest is an important positive result of working every day to do what’s right even in the face of great adversity.”
Professional Finance Company was founded 105 years ago and is now owned by Mike and Lori Shoop. “The Torch Award is a tribute to our 120-plus employees who are committed to the highest standards of ethical behavior,” said Mike Shoop, noting the industry is one of the most difficult to work in and often the most misunderstood. “But it’s one that’s critical in our nation’s economy.”
A Thru Z Document Destruction was started six years ago by Tom and Merrie Ellsberry. “This is confirmation and recognition that the things we set out to do in our business for our customers and for our employees has worked and someone has noticed that it worked,” said Merrie Ellsberry.
Start With Trust. For more information about the BBB Torch Awards, visit wynco.bbb.org or call 970-484-1348 or 800-564-0371.