Top Texas Family Businesses Announced

Family businesses from across the state of Texas are slated to be honored on Thursday, Nov. 2, at the 17th Annual Texas Family Business of the Year Awards Banquet on the Baylor University campus.

Baylor's Institute for Family Business sponsors the program, which is designed to recognize firms whose families demonstrate a commitment to their community and strong business and family values.

"As a university which values both family traditions and business accomplishment, we are proud to honor firms whose families have demonstrated a commitment to each other and to business continuity, and who are responsive to the needs of their employees, communities and industries," said J. David Allen, director of the John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship at Baylor's Hankamer School of Business.

"Our goal is to honor outstanding family-owned businesses in the areas of community commitment, family values and successful business management," said Dr. Terry Maness, dean of the Hankamer School of Business. "We found companies that have shown concern for their family and their role in the business and community, as well as demonstrating contributions to their industry."

This year's award winners are:

Small family business of the year — First Dallas Holdings Inc., Dallas

Medium family business of the year — Pulliam Pools, Fort Worth

Large family business of the year — DAVACO Inc., Dallas

Community commitment award — Escapees RV Club, Livingston

Family values award — Almcoe Refrigeration Co., Dallas

Fastest-growing award — Cedar Eaters of Texas, Boerne

Founders award — Grubbs Infiniti, Euless; Aldrich-Thomas Group, Realtors, Temple

Well-managed award — Global Shop Solutions, The Woodlands

Heritage award — The Jones Truck Insurance Agency Inc., Waco

Finalists in this year's competition were: A-1 Banner and Sign Co. Inc./Authentic Granite and Marble, Waco; Gillette Air Conditioning Co. Inc., San Antonio; Howell Oil and Gas Inc./East Texas Fuels Inc./Howell Interests Inc., Marshall; Lifeguard Aeromed Inc., Fort Worth; and Teacher's Tools, Lewisville.

Dr. Reagan Ramsower, vice president for finance and administration at Baylor, is scheduled to be the evening's keynote speaker. For more information on the banquet or the competition, please contact Mary Abrahams at (254) 710-4159 or Mary_Abrahams@baylor.edu.

More News ...