CORVALLIS, Ore. – Nominations are being accepted for the 2009 Excellence in Family Business Awards, presented by Oregon State University’s Austin Family Business Program. The awards program, first presented in 1988, is both the first and longest-running family business recognition series in the nation.

Reser’s Fine Foods of Beaverton, Nosler, Inc. of Bend and Solar Summit of Philomath were among the Oregon companies that received Excellence in Family Business Awards in 2008.

Nominations, including self-nominations, for this year’s awards can be submitted on behalf of family-owned businesses throughout the Northwest including from Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and California. Nominations can be submitted online at http://www.familybusinessonline.org or by mail, fax or telephone. The deadline for completed nominations is April 1, with the full application due May 1. Judging will begin shortly after.

“The excellence awards were designed to honor family businesses that possess exemplary leadership, community contributions, and long-term viability,” said Robin Klemm, director of the program and holder of the A.E. Coleman chair in family business at Oregon State University. “More than 150 premier family businesses have been recognized and now serve as role models to inspire others.”

The three highest scoring applicants in each size category will be required to make a 20-minute presentation to the judges on June 12 in Portland.

One winner and two runners-up will be named in four divisions that are determined by company size. The divisions are: Micro (nine or fewer employees); Small (10 to 24 employees); Medium (25 to 99 employees); and Large (100 or more employees) The 2009 winners will be announced at an awards celebration set for Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Oregon Zoo in Portland.

The awards program is one of many year-round activities of OSU's Austin Family Business Program – a strategic program of the College of Business – that works to support and encourage family-owned businesses.

The Excellence in Family Business Awards program was founded to honor the accomplishments and contributions of family businesses for their innovation, entrepreneurship, commitment, and community involvement.

Source: 

Robin Klemm,
800-859-7609

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