Richardson Businesses Honored at Annual Business and Industry Luncheon
Seven Richardson businesses and organizations and two individuals received awards on Thursday, November 11, for the economic impact they have had in Richardson. Award recipients were recognized at the annual Business and Industry Awards Luncheon, an event that began in 1987, and held by the Richardson Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Richardson Rotary clubs. The purpose of the awards luncheon is to thank local businesses and organizations for creating jobs, building facilities, paying taxes and contributing to the local economy. The Rotary Clubs presented two annual awards: the Service Above Self award and the Ethnics award.
“We are very fortunate to have such an active and generous business community in Richardson. Our corporate citizens don’t just care about our city, they invest in our city. This event and these awards are our opportunity to show them our appreciation,” said Bill Sproull, president and CEO of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce.
The 2010 Business and Industry award recipients are:
Commercial Real Estate Project Award: Digital Realty Trust, for its Datacenter Park Project, a $200 million dollar investment in the 80-acre former Alcatel and Collins Radio campus, which was vacant for several years. Digital Realty Trust is remodeling and repurposing 800,000 square feet of space into high impact data centers. They have already attracted a number of Fortune 500 companies. The award was accepted by Bryan Marsh, senior asset manager.
Community Involvement Award: Reliable Chevrolet, for its consistent support of community events and activities. Reliable and its 125 employees are active in many community events including the Richardson Chamber’s Annual New Teachers Luncheon, the City of Richardson’s Wildflower! Festival, high school booster clubs, Methodist Richardson Medical Center, the Richardson Women’s Club and many others. The award was accepted by Dave Anderson, general manager.
Environmental Award: Lennox International, for producing several new energy products including: the industry’s first integrated solar-assisted residential heating and cooling system; the industry’s first commercial rooftop line to be rated at 17.0 SEER; and the industry’s first system to harness solar power for heating and cooling, while sending excess power back to the utility. The award was accepted by John Hurst, vice president of product management, residential heating and cooling.
International Business Award: Samsung Mobile, for its significant support of and economic investment in the community. Samsung has been headquartered in Richardson since 1996 and currently has 800 employees in Richardson. The award was accepted by Joseph Cheong, chief financial officer.
Newcomer Business Award: United Healthcare, which relocated to Richardson from Plano in 2008. The initial move brought 1,000 jobs to the city and occupied 154,000 square feet of leased space. In 2009, United Healthcare added 25,000 square feet and another 100 jobs. The award was accepted by Thomas Quirk, CEO for Texas-Oklahoma markets.
Public/Non-Profit/Educational Award: Methodist Richardson Medical Center and Richardson Hospital Authority, for forming a new partnership with Methodist Health System, which now operates the hospital and leases the facilities and equipment. The organization has spent more than $137 million in capital expenditures since 2000, to better serve the community. MRMC touches over 8,000 people annually through 169 community health events. Its charity care and government underpayments total nearly $40 million. The award was accepted by Ken Hutchenrider, president.
Richardson Loyalty Award: Vent-A-Hood, which has been headquartered in Richardson since 1961. Vent-A-Hood is the definitive home ventilation brand in the appliance industry. The company has an annual scholarship program which awarded scholarships of $2,000 each to 12 seniors from North Texas high school. Nine of the 12 recipients have family members employed at Vent-A-Hood. The award was accepted by Skip Woodall, CEO.
The three Rotary Clubs, Richardson Rotary, Richardson Central and Richardson East, gave their annual awards to following Rotarians: Dennis Stewart, a former Richardson city council member and a long-time Richardson police officer (now retired), was presented with the Service Above Self Award for his leadership and contributions to the community, and Arnold Stokol, O.D. was given the Rotary Ethics Award, which is given to the Rotarian who best exemplifies the principles of the Rotary 4-Way Test, Originally from South Africa, Dr. Stokol established his optometry practice in Richardson in 1981.
About Richardson Chamber of Commerce
The Richardson Chamber of Commerce is North Texas’ premier chamber of commerce and serves as the voice of the local Richardson business community. Since 2007, the Richardson Chamber has been instrumental in the expansion of more than 85 businesses, development of 75 new restaurants and creation of more than 8,100 jobs. The Chamber is the ideal PLACE for members to actively enhance their business opportunities in the North Texas region. The Chamber focuses on Professional Growth, Leadership, Advocacy, Connection- Building and Economic Development for the Richardson community. Founded in 1946, the Chamber has grown to serve nearly 1000 active members and is closely aligned with its local sister organization, the Metroplex Technology Business Council, as well as the US Chamber of Commerce. Find your PLACE, by learning more at www.richardsonchamber.com.