Local organizations honored for dedication to integrity and ethical business practices.
The Torch Awards for Ethics is the most prestigious honor BBBGWP bestows on businesses and charities operating within its eight-state service area. Winners are selected based on their commitment to operational integrity and ethical business practices.
Media Contacts:
Logan Hickle, PR and Communications Manager | logan.hickle@thebbb.org
Whitney Slade, Communications Director | pr-communications@thebbb.org
SEATTLE, WA. Oct 28, 2021 - Better Business Bureau Great West + Pacific (BBBGWP), has named five businesses and one charity as winners of its 2021 Torch Awards in Washington State.
Sound Bookkeepers – Small Business of the Year
Superior Exterior Systems – Small Business of the Year
Inland Medical and Rehab, Inc. – Medium Business of the Year
Mainstream Electric Heating Cooling & Plumbing – Large Business of the Year
Everyone for Veterans – Spark Recipient
Heartline Ministries – Charity of the Year
The Torch Awards for Ethics is the most prestigious honor BBBGWP bestows on businesses and charities operating within its eight-state service area. Winners are selected based on their commitment to operational integrity and ethical business practices.
“We were thrilled to receive more than 300 Torch Awards submissions this year from businesses and charities alike,” said Tyler Andrew, president and CEO of BBBGWP. “It was truly inspiring to learn how each business makes a daily commitment to not only uphold ethical business practices, but also embody the true meaning of integrity. We hope this recognition helps the winners and finalists stand out in their local communities and encourage more businesses to operate with those same principles.”
Each organization was asked to supply responses to prompts focused on their team's character, culture, customer engagement, and community involvement.
Sound Bookkeepers, established in 2018 in Shoreline, strives to instill accuracy and ethics in all operations, no matter how miniscule. "We’re setting the standard for what affordable but accurate bookkeeping should be, done by people with integrity who understand the importance of proper bookkeeping while also keeping the books in line with what an IRS auditor is looking for, said Owner and CEO, Russ Schulman.”
Superior Exterior Systems, established in 2010 in Battle Ground, does not hesitate to correct their wrongs and reinstall if they need to. “Each of our team members is uniquely qualified to enhance the overall culture of our business by being ‘accountable for their influence’, said Co-Owner, Michelle Peterson. “We ask if there is an opportunity for them to change an outcome of a situation for the better, that is what they need to do.”
Inland Medical and Rehab, Inc., established in 1988 in Spokane, centers its customers around its mission of independence, mobility and rehabilitation. “For 40 years, Frank has dedicated his life to helping patients, with an emphasis in pediatric care, said Chief Operating Officer, Donald Whitney. “He is the person to help your child get mobile, with the perfect pediatric wheelchair and pediatric walking equipment that they will need to keep on track with their rehabilitation.”
Mainstream Electric Heating Cooling & Plumbing, established in 2000 in Spokane Valley, builds trust upon three pillars: empathy, expectation, and expertise. “As Vince Lombardi is quoted, ‘The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.’ Our staff is encouraged and empowered to not choose the easy way but to choose the right way, said President, Elaine Damschen.
Everyone for Veterans, established in 2017 in Issaquah, serves low-income combat veterans and their families. “Poor dental health means living every day with chronic pain and infection. This leads to a declined state of systemic health, depression, and low self-esteem,” said Executive Director, Jessica Elwell. “The veterans that we serve come to us with a myriad of physical and emotional traumas. Ethically navigating their intake process and assignment to dental professionals and volunteers is paramount to us.
Heartline Ministries, established in 2000 in Sunnyside, invests in families who reside in Haiti. “We recognize our role in Haiti as a U.S.-based organization and take the accountability and respect required to operate very seriously. We are guests in Haiti, and our ethics and integrity are vital to our impact,” said Director of Operations and Communications, Dave Kless.
Torch Awards winners from each state were announced as part of a virtual ceremony held on Oct. 28, 2021. Learn more about the impact of the BBB Torch Awards from previous winners featured in the “Passing the Torch” video series.
ABOUT BBB: For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands, and charities they can trust. In 2020, people turned to BBB more than 160 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.2 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at BBB.org. There are local, independent BBBs across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including BBB Great West & Pacific, which serves more than 20 million consumers in Alaska, Central Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Western Wyoming.
