Baylor University's Institute for Family Business honored outstanding businesses at its 18th Annual Texas Family Business of the Year Awards Banquet on Thursday, Nov. 15, in the Barfield Drawing Room at Baylor University's Bill Daniel Student Center.

The program recognizes firms whose families demonstrate a commitment to each other and to business continuity, and who are responsive to the needs of their employees, communities and industries.

"Starting, owning and operating a family business is the foundation of the American dream," said J. David Allen, director of the John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship at Baylor's Hankamer School of Business. "It is our privilege to honor the dedicated, hard-working risk-takers in the state of Texas who contribute so much to our economic and social well-being."

This year's winners are:

Small Family Business of the Year - Poppa Rollo's Pizza, Waco

Medium Family Business of the Year - Williams-Pyro, Fort Worth

Large Family Business of the Year - Harrison, Walker & Harper, Paris

Community Commitment Award - Herb's Paint & Body, Richardson; Triad Adoption dba Child Placement Center, Killeen

Family Values Award - Pied Piper Pet & Wildlife, Hamlin

Fastest Growing Award - Quala-T Imprints, Waco

Well-Managed Award - Concote Corporation, Dallas

Founders Award - Sames Motor Company, Laredo

Heritage Award - Citizens National Bank of Texas, Waxahachie

Finalists in the competition were: Austin Gutterman, Austin; Azbell Electronics, Waco; Century 21 APD, El Paso; Claffey Pools, Southlake; Johnson Sewell Ford Lincoln Mercury, Marble Falls; Oliver Goldsmith, Waco; Truman Transfer & Storage, Victoria.

Through these types of programs, the Institute for Family Business fulfills its mission to provide a forum for the development and dissemination of information relevant to the health and continuity of family businesses. Other educational and planning programs available to family business owners through the Institute include special interest seminars and entrepreneurship training classes.

For more information about the competition or program, contact Mary Abrahams at 254-710-4159 or Mary_Abrahams@baylor.edu.

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