Application packets are now being accepted for the 20th Annual Texas Family Business of the Year awards which will be presented November 5, 2009 at a banquet on the Baylor campus in Waco. The Institute for Family Business at Baylor University hosts this annual awards ceremony to recognize and honor outstanding family firms from across the state.

Winners will be chosen in three general categories - large (more than 151 employees), medium (51-150 employees) and small (50 or fewer employees). Outstanding firms are also honored in the special categories of Family Values Award, Community Commitment Award, Fastest-Growing Family Business Award, Well-Managed Family Business Award, Founders Award and Heritage Award.

To apply a firm must be headquartered in Texas and have one or more of the following characteristics:

1. has been owned and operated by different generations of a family

2. the potential exists for ownership to be passed on to a younger generation

3. more than one member of a family has active employment in an organization owned by a family

4. a family holding company which is presently operating a business

Outstanding family firms show concern for their family and its role in the business and community, demonstrate contributions to their industry and their community and are role models for the family in business.

For an additional application package contact Dawn Maitz at the Institute for Family Business at phone 254-710-4159, fax your request with your name and address to 254-710-3724, or e-mail at (Dawn_Maitz@Baylor.edu)

Click here for the Application Form in Word format.

Completed application materials must be received by August 14, 2009.

The Judges of the 20th Annual Texas Family Business of the Year awards are affiliated with the Institute through its Forum series. Each has expertise in the field of family business, either heading successful companies, family business consulting or teaching family business. They have graciously agreed to read and research each and every application sent to the Institute for Family Business.

The entries are judged on the following criteria: Family Involvement, Community and Industry Involvement and Business Success and Succession. The information our judges must determine is:

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
Is this family involved in the family business in a positive manner? Is it evident the family makes an important contribution to this firm? Is the family concerned for the community? Does the family understand its role in the business? Has the family planned for its future involvement in the business?

COMMUNITY AND INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT
Does this business make a significant, positive contribution to the community? Is this business making a significant, positive contribution to its industry? Is this business concerned for its employees? Is this business a positive impact on society? Is this business contributing to the general economic well-being of its community?

BUSINESS AND SUCCESSION
Is this a successful business? Will this business probably survive succession? Does this business evidence strategic planning? Is this business innovative? Does this business practice sound management?

There are also six special awards, in which size is not a determining factor:

FAMILY VALUES AWARD
This award is given to the SUCCESSFUL family business that has shown the greatest commitment to family values by nurturing healthy relationships and stability over successive generations.

WELL-MANAGED FAMILY BUSINESS AWARD
This award is given to the SUCCESSFUL family business, which demonstrates management techniques resulting in efficiency and effectiveness in operations and contributing to the quality of the work environment.

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT AWARD
This award is given to the SUCCESSFUL family business that demonstrates a commitment to improving their community and to the overall well-being of their community.

FASTEST-GROWING FAMILY BUSINESS AWARD
This award is given to the SUCCESSFUL family business that demonstrates rapid growth over a short-period of time and has implemented innovative business techniques in achieving this growth.

FOUNDERS AWARD
This award is given to the SUCCESSFUL family business that has grown and adapted to present and future markets while maintaining the identity and original concept of the founder.

HERITAGE AWARD
This award is given to the SUCCESSFUL family business that has overcome statistical odds to achieve the rare status of maintaining continuous existence through at least three generations of family ownership.

Please remember, even though you are well known, the judges do not know your company policies. You must tell or show how you are involved as a family, what contributions you have made to the community, and what you have done to ensure succession of your business. All information is confidential and access is limited strictly to the Institute for Family Business and the three judges in your category. Good luck and we look forward to your completed nomination form.

Completed application materials must be received by August 14, 2009.