Five local companies to be honored by Better Business Bureau

Five local companies will be honored at the Better Business Bureau Serving Delaware’s 49^th Annual Dinner to be held April 7, 2014 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront. Our keynote speaker for the evening will be Dr. Robert Laskowski, CEO of Christiana Care Health System.

Dr. Laskowski will offer remarks on the changing face of the healthcare industry, ethics in healthcare and consumer choice. Senator Thomas R. Carper is also scheduled to offer remarks. 215 business and community leaders will attend this annual celebration of ethics.

Four local companies will be awarded theBetter Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics. The “Torch Awards” are presented annually to those companies who exhibit high ethical standards of behavior toward customers, suppliers, shareholders, and employees. “Each of these companies displays a unique level of commitment to business ethics and customer service—they truly embody the foundation and mission of the Better Business Bureau. We are proud to have such an elite group represented this year,” said Christine Sauers, president of the Delaware Better Business Bureau. Awards are given in four categories based on company size. The 2014 award recipients are:

• Diamond State Financial Group
• SSD Technology Partners
• Tidewater Utilities
• Barclaycard US

In addition, E. Michael “Mike” Rush, Jr., will announce the winner of the 22^nd Annual Edward M. Rush, Sr. Memorial Award for a family run business. In 1993, the family of Edward M. Rush, Sr., established this award honoring Mr. Rush’s memory for setting high standards for family-owned businesses.

The award is given annually to an outstanding family-owned and operated Better Business Bureau Accredited Business who also exemplifies the ideals of community and civic service. The winner of this award is not announced until the evening of the dinner. Past recipients include the Delmarva Broadcasting Company (Steinman Family); i.g. Burton Company (Burton Family); Trinity Logistics (Banning Family) and Union Park Automotive (Ursomarso Family) to name a few.