Finalists announced for 2008 Torch Awards

The judges have released the names of the finalists for the 2008 Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics presented by the Better Business Bureau in Southeast Texas and assisted by the College of Business at Lamar University. Following indepth studies of applications, supporting documentation, and on-site interviews, the finalists are: Large business category - Anderson Ford Mercury of Cleveland, Claybar Funeral Home in Beaumont, Bridge City, and Orange, and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service in Beaumont, Bridge City, Liberty, Orange, Port Arthur, and Vidor. In the small business category - DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Lumberton, Hightech Signs in Beaumont and Nederland, and The Walters Agency of Beaumont.

The two winners will be announced and presented at the 11th annual Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics Presentation Banquet on Tuesday, May 6 at the Beaumont Civic Center. The gathering, which will draw more than 600 business, civic and community leaders from across Southeast Texas, will also give recognition to the 2008 recipient of the "Friend of the Bureau" Award.

The featured speaker for the Torch Award Presentation Banquet will be Stephen M.R. Covey, author of The Speed of Trust and CEO/co-founder of CoveyLink Worldwide.

Award presenters will include media personalities Bob Phillips, host of "The Texas Country Reporter", Bill Leger and Kelli Phillips of KFDM-TV, Deedra Wilson and Dave Hofferth of KBMT-TV, Dana Melancon and Angel San Juan of KBTV-TV, Don Dodd and Jerry Jordan of The Examiner, Jack Pieper and Harold Mann of KLVI-AM, and J.B. and Skeeter of KD101-FM. The Live Auction will be conducted by Gary Lee Love of KD101- FM. Michael Clayton, President/CEO of the Better Business Bureau will be the master of ceremonies.

"The purpose of the Torch Awards is to recognize annually those for-profit

businesses in our eightcounty plus region committed to maintaining exceptionally high standards of ethical behavior in buyer and seller relationships," said Clayton.

A prestigious Selection Committee judged the entries and conducted onsite visits to select the finalists and the winners from companies that entered the competition. For-profit members and non-members of the Better Business Bureau from across the eight-counties of southeast Texas were eligible to enter. The judges include: JoAnn Block, Executive Director of the American Red Cross; Rachel Griffin, Executive Director of the Lumberton Chamber Of Commerce; Patrick Murphy, Executive Director of the YMCA of Port Arthur; David Pecora, Executive Director of the Anayat House; Marleen Swerdlow, Business Professor at Lamar University; and Uliana Trylowsky, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity.

Anyone may attend the May 6 Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics Presentation Banquet at the Beaumont Civic Center. A Silent Auction, with nearly 100 items, and an open reception will get underway at 5:30 PM. The banquet, program and presentations will begin at 7:00 PM. There will also be a live auction during the banquet. A $10,000 contribution will be made from the Better Business Bureau of Southeast Texas to Lamar University and the BBB College of Business Scholarships, bringing contributions over the last eleven years to $110,000. The Toby Castro Brothers will provide entertainment before and during the banquet and Peggy Starnes will sing "God Bless America".

Revenue from the event benefits the Better Business Bureau undergraduate business scholarships and the BBB Consumer Education Foundation, Inc. Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze corporate tables, as well as individual seats are available through Wednesday, April 30, and may be secured by calling Debbie Bridgeman at the Better Business Bureau. Call (409) 835-5951, ext. 117 or e-mail debbiebridgeman@ bbbsetexas.org for complete information and reservations.

Additional taxdeductible contributions to this worthwhile effort are also accepted by the Foundation, as well as donations for the silent and live auction.