DAYTON, OHIO, May 8, 2012 - Your Better Business Bureau hosted its annual Eclipse Integrity Awards dinner this evening. Nearly 550 people joined your BBB at the David H. Ponitz Sinclair Center to honor six organizations with the prestigious Eclipse Integrity Awards, five Students of Integrity Award winners and its third annual Torch Award winner.
Your BBB’s Eclipse Integrity Awards, sponsored by The Dayton Power and Light Company, Serco, Inc., WesBanco Bank, Inc., Back To Business I.T., WDTN-TV, Cox Media Group Ohio and LITE 94.5, are about ethics, honesty and integrity. The competition was tough. Your BBB received over 240 nominations recognizing the outstanding performance of Miami Valley businesses and nonprofits.
Students of Integrity, sponsored by Dayton Dental Collaborative, recognizes five high school seniors for their high moral character and outstanding ethics. The winners were selected from nearly 70 excellent nominations from over 80 Miami Valley high schools. Each of the winners is recognized as a BBB Student of Integrity and will receive a $1,000 scholarship to a college of his/her choice.
The local Torch Award is dedicated to the legacy of great Miami Valley business pioneers, such as John Patterson, Wilbur and Orville Wright, Charles Kettering, Colonel Edward Deeds and most recently Clay Mathile. It was through their ingenuity, leadership, generosity and mentorship to others that the Miami Valley has stood the test of time and recreated itself again and again. This award honors businesses have inspired, mentored and provided valuable support, education and guidance to businesses and community leaders that have went on to make their successes in the Miami Valley.
Eclipse Integrity Award Winners
The Eclipse Integrity Awards 51+ employees category winner was Detmer & Sons, Inc. (Fairborn). The 26-50 employees category went to Elements IV Interiors (Dayton). The Ohlmann Group, Inc. (Dayton) was honored in the 11-25 employees category. LifePlan Financial Group, Inc. (Miamisburg) was the winner in the 1-10 employees size. The Nonprofit Integrity Award in the $500,001+ in revenue category went to United Rehabilitation Services of Dayton (Dayton). And, the Nonprofit Integrity Award in the $0-$500,000 in revenue category was awarded to PFLAG Dayton (Dayton).
The Eclipse Integrity Awards are presented to businesses demonstrating significant, unique and continuous commitment to exceptional customer service, trust and fair play in the marketplace and day-to-day living. The award winners perform during moments of truth, as well as demonstrate high ethical standards through policies, training and/or staff. They exercise outstanding internal business practices, practice honest competition and have a reputation in the community for sound ethics, service/products and community service. They also promote truth in advertising, exceed customer expectations and support the ideals of your Better Business Bureau.
The philosophy at Detmer and Sons, Inc., the 51+ employees Eclipse Integrity Award winner, is to supply customers with the best possible solutions to their problems in a timely manner and fair price. This family-owned business, which provides HVAC sales, service and installation for commercial and residential customers, treats customers as they would want to be treated. From hiring and training to customer philosophy and company goals, integrity is woven in the fabric of this company. Detmer and Sons has raised over $30,000 for the American Cancer Society and donates time to install the HVAC system and ductwork for Habitat for Humanity. Integrity is a necessary ingredient to running this successful organization.
Elements IV Interiors, the 26-50 employees Eclipse Integrity Award winner, began as a service-only company doing work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and quickly morphed into a full-service distributor for commercial interior products. The company attributes its success to teamwork and commitment to client satisfaction and believes integrity is what sets it apart from others. Team members go above and beyond to ensure 100 percent customer satisfaction in pursuit of delivering the ‘WOW’ factor to clients. With a strong belief in giving back to Dayton, Elements IV Interiors selflessly gives time, talent and treasure to make the community a better place to live and work. Elements IV Interiors is a solid corporate citizen, which believes in doing business the right way all the time.
Focusing on creating the future, The Ohlmann Group, Inc., the winner in the Eclipse Integrity Awards 11-25 employees category, provides effective marketing, event planning, PR, print and Web site design and new media development services. Team members believe their actions for clients will determine the future of the agency and community. Earning clients’ trust by operating with integrity is its constant goal. A staffer said, “The Ohlmann Group is special because of the dedication to its team members, strength of its leadership and its commitment to being nothing short of brilliant.” Leadership values giving back and allows employees to use an hour of paid time per week to volunteer at nonprofits of their choice. Integrity is the cornerstone of The Ohlmann Group.
Since 1989, LifePlan Financial Group, Inc., the winner in the Eclipse Integrity Awards 1-10 employees category, has strived to make a positive difference in people’s lives by establishing long-term and caring client relationships. Specializing in financial planning, investment management and life transition planning, LifePlan’s team members have clients’ best interests at heart, as well as the competence and integrity required to help clients achieve their unique and special needs. LifePlan Financial Group, Inc. places a strong focus on community involvement evident in its support of the Financial Planning Association, Good Samaritan Hospital and Dayton Opera, to name a few. For LifePlan Financial Group, Inc., high integrity isn’t an option.
The Nonprofit Integrity Awards are presented to nonprofits or charities demonstrating outstanding community service through their mission and commitment. The nominees practice ethical and responsible fund raising and demonstrate strong fiscal responsibility and board oversight. They have measurable results reported honestly and promote the vitality and overall health of our community. They also demonstrate regular and effective communication with constituencies and clients. Additionally, they support the ideals of your BBB and meet your BBB’s standards for charitable accountability.
United Rehabilitation Services (URS), the Eclipse Integrity Award nonprofit winner in the $500,001+ in revenue category, provides a full continuum of services, including daycare, vocational training, therapy and respite programs. URS offers a safe, meaningful place where adults with disabilities can work, socialize and instill a sense of purpose in their lives. The team believes it’s essential to be recognized as an agency of integrity and trust and puts the needs and interests of those they serve first in everything they do. The URS staff and board members are intentionally involved and visible in the community, which contributes to its being a well-respected organization. This successful organization has touched the lives of over 250,000 people through caring and compassionate services.
PFLAG Dayton, the winner in the Eclipse Integrity Award $0-$500,000 in revenue category, started in 1989 as a support group for parents of gays and lesbians. Today, this small, but mighty, organization provides support to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender individuals and their family members and friends. It also advocates for changes in laws and public policy to bring about equality for all citizens. PFLAG Dayton has a culture of inclusion. The organization welcomes everyone, no exceptions. Community involvement is vital to PFLAG Dayton. The organization wants to be a good community citizen who works effectively and cooperatively with others. It also depends on its community partners to recommend its services to people in need.
Students of Integrity Winners
William Blincoe is an intelligent and respectful young man who stands above many in achievements, ambition and ability. Honest, trustworthy and sincere, William is well liked because he respects people. Ranking third in Wayne High School’s senior class, he is also the National Honor Society president, section leader in his school band, is captain of the Varsity Academic Challenge team and has been recognized for his efforts in Boy Scouts of America, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. Active in his church as the youth ministry vice president, he recognizes the need to give back to one’s community. With plans to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati, William Blincoe demonstrates exceptional maturity and determination. His potential for success is limitless.
Diligent, dedicated and determined, Caitlin Culp manages to balance a rigorous academic curriculum with a variety of extracurricular pursuits. This Troy High School honor roll student enthusiastically participates in National Honor Society, Key Club and student government. Athletically, Caitlin is a member of the cross-country, swimming and track teams. A testament of her character and service, Troy Chamber of Commerce selected Caitlin for the Teen Leadership Troy organization. She has founded the Troy chapter of the US Soccer Foundation’s Passback Program, which provides new and gently-used soccer equipment to youth across the globe, and through her involvement in CISV, she has served as a delegate and counselor educating and inspiring action for a more just and peaceful world. She is a person of the highest integrity, a model for her peers to emulate.
A born leader, Mallory Livingston achieves anything on which she sets her sights. Her record of accomplishment speaks for itself and she will surely be one of our leaders of tomorrow. This Mississinawa Valley High School valedictorian candidate is president of the student body, vice president of the FFA and captain of her volleyball and basketball teams. Mallory shows compassion and dedication to helping others in her community by organizing a breakfast for community leaders and members of the police and fire departments in an effort to thank them for their service. She has planned and organized an annual dance marathon raising money to benefit Dayton Children’s Hospital and works to conduct a school-wide recycling program. Mallory consistently displays good character. She is of outstanding value to her community and a positive role model to all.
Stephanie Mee is a hard-working young lady who stays true to her personal beliefs and leads by her excellent example. Always prepared and willing to accept challenges, she tackles obstacles as a way of improving her skills. She is Miamisburg High School’s cross country and track and field teams’ senior captain, a member of the swim team and National Honor Society, senator in her student government and active in her church youth group. Stephanie’s skill and creativity earned her first place in a painting competition where she received a Scholastic Art and Writing Gold Key Award. Her passion and commitment are evident in the time she spends volunteering at Kettering Medical Center and doing mission work with mentally disabled adults and homeless. The integrity, work ethic, honesty and determination she displays are exemplary.
Rachel Slauter promotes a positive outlook on life with a motivation and drive to succeed. Described as bright, outgoing and enterprising, she is very involved in her academics, school and community. This two year MVP and varsity team captain, spends hours on the soccer field and is a valuable member of the team. This honor roll student was twice awarded the Edward Jones Investments Athlete of the Month. She’s a true leader, organizing events to help others evidenced by her recently coordinating fellow students in a fundraising project benefitting a Carroll High School student killed by a drunk driver. Rachel’s worked many hours to organize soccer games to raise money for MS and breast cancer awareness. She and her fellow National Honor Society members also worked to organize a book drive. Rachel Slauter personifies ethics in leadership, community service and academic excellence.
Torch Award Winner
From its start as the Sunshine Fund, Wright-Patt Credit Union is dedicated to the principles of people helping people. Celebrating 80 years in business, the company sees its role in the Dayton area as a force for economic development, creating high-value jobs and helping people make healthy financial decisions. It believes as members become more financially secure, their communities become better places to live. It strives to make the Miami Valley a better place for all its constituents by making a difference where it can, whether through the organization’s financial support and/or employee involvement in the community.
John North, BBB president/CEO says, “Your BBB has been promoting integrity in the marketplace for 100 years. As your BBB celebrates its centennial anniversary, it’s excited to honor these organizations and students as they are a beacon of light for others as they strive to do the right thing in their day-to-day operations.”
An independent panel of judges selected the Eclipse Integrity Award winners. The Eclipse Integrity Awards judges included Neil Arthur, Arthur Associates, LLC; Dan Davis, PNC Bank; Michael Goldshot, Goldshot, Lamb & Hobbs; Lisa Grigsby, AIDS Resource Center Ohio, Inc.; Sharon Howard, Dayton Development Coalition; Dr. Joe Petrick, Ph.D., SPHR, Institute For Business Integrity; Harry Seifert, Standard Register Company; Yvonne Bravo Wathen, Dayton Hispanic Chamber; and Susie Woodhull, Woodhull, LLC.
Another independent panel of judges selected the Students of Integrity Award winners. The judges were Duante Beddingfield, Freelance Writer; Rebecca Benná, Five Rivers MetroParks; David Bohardt, St. Vincent De Paul; Rick Dobson, Randd Associates Printing & Promotions, Inc.; Lynda Hoffman, Vectren Corporation; Allie Quakenbush, Extreme One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning; Laura Roesch, Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley; Ty Stone, Sinclair Community College; and Ariel Walker, City of Dayton.
About Your BBB
Your BBB is an unbiased nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB Accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. Your BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability ReportsTM and charity BBB Wise Giving ReportsTM and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, your BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is difference in viewpoints. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 125 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than three million local and national businesses and charities. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information about your BBB.
