The 14th Annual Torch Award for marketplace Ethics was presented to three Abilene businesses at an award luncheon on the campus of Hardin-Simmons University. Funeral Directors Life Insurance, Mike Tschaar Heating and Air Conditioning, and Stovall Realtors were selected from a field of 12 participants in the annual competition to select outstanding examples of ethical business conduct. An independent panel of judges made up from the business and academic community select the winning companies from the nominees. The Torch Awards are held in partnership with our three Universities. The keynote speaker was Dr. Jon Weidanz, founder and President of Receptor Logic Inc, a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Abilene. Dr. Weidanz is a Professor with the Texas Tech University Health Science Center in Abilene. He was recently appointed Chairman of the new Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology at Texas Tech University Health Science Center. He highlighted some of his work in biotechnology especially in the area of breast cancer search. “Potential areas of conflict exist and it is important to have in place checks and balances to prevent unethical behavior and the negative consequences and fallout from not upholding good business ethics.”
Profiles of Torch Award Winners
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Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company
6550 Directors Parkway
This company, founded in 1981 by four West Texas funeral home owners, has grown to a nation-wide provider of prepaid funeral insurance. FDLIC values integrity, honesty, transparency, continuous improvement, excellence, and leadership at the personal and corporate level. When they encounter difficult situations or questions of what to do or how to proceed, they ask, “What is the best, most respected thing to do?” This question is part of the company mission statement, “To be known as the best, most-respected provider of service to the funeral industry.”
This mission statement and their objectives have created a company culture characterized by helpfulness, friendship, encouragement, continual growth and personal development. The company also encourages and is widely known as a great place to work. This culture is not by accident and is carefully cultivated by the management team. The company believes in the biblical imperative, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. In so doing, the company knows that their customers and policyholders will also be treated with respect, outstanding care and support, and service that goes above and beyond.
Mike Tschaar Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.
25 Windmill Circle
Founded in 1996 this locally owned and operated business is in the heating and air conditioning business. They have a company policy of up front pricing, before work is done as a matter of maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction. Mike Tschaar knows that the company is only as good as employees, so winter time is filled with abundant training that will be most beneficial to the employee.
The customer that nominated the company said, “My air conditioner quit working yesterday & it was 105 degrees outside… I contacted four other companies. Each and every one of them informed me how this was their busy season and it would be at least 1 or 2 days before they could help me… I was on the verge of panic when I finally called Mike Tschaar… I spoke with Diane, who was immediately sympathetic and understanding …What a perfect angel she was to me at that time!”
Stovall Realtors
3382 s 27th
Steve Stovall started his business in 2008 after working in the Real Estate business for 20 years. He admits, “Some people thought that I was crazy to start a new real estate company in the middle of one of the worst financial crises in history, and they said that we would never make it past our first year.” The skeptics were proven wrong and in August 2010 Stovall Realtors opened a new custom built office.
Stovall Realtors is a locally owned and operated company independent of any franchise. Their mission statement reads in part… “to set the standard of honesty and professionalism in Abilene Real Estate.” Here is what one customer said, “Our agent was absolutely amazing! ..I had complete trust in her from the minute I met her.” Another wrote, “What impressed us was the integrity and attention to detail over every aspect of the process.”
Profiles of Torch Award Honorees
A-Town Cleaners
3180 South Treadaway
A-Town Cleaners is a locally owned dry cleaning and laundry with three locations in Abilene. The company knows that the foundation of their business is trust and believes that communication is the key to having an effective ethical working environment. This communication and training paid huge trust dividends when an employee found several hundred dollars in a pocket of a customer’s garment. She quickly alerted management and communicated with the customer the discovery.
Company culture is to give customers a WOW moment, a moment that leaves a customer in awe. One customer had this example of a WOW moment, “One of the buttons from my wife’s dress pants was missing. They took the time to search in the work area for this button but to no avail. Two weeks later…I was there to pick-up some other clothing, a small button was attached… how they were able to find this “needle in a haystack” I will never know.”
David Ballard – State Farm Agent
4901 Buffalo Gap Rd
Few people can say they have been in the State Farm Insurance business all their life, but David Ballard literally grew up in the business. David has worked for State Farm Insurance for 41 years, and before him his father Manly Ballard was a State Farm Agent for 56 years. From an early age David learned the values of success; do what is right, put the customer first, and help others. He learned by example, at 14 his father took him and his brother Brent to buy a lawn mower and edger in their name. They had to mow and trim the neighborhood lawns to make the payments. Any over that was their profit. An early and important lesson in work and free enterprise.
Due to the personal nature of insurance, David Ballard make himself available round the clock because insurance claims don’t always happen during regular office hours. Honesty, integrity and a work ethic are all key factors in the business.
Briercroft Inc.
4333 Crawford Dr.
This locally owned company was founded 31 years ago and since has grown into four operating divisions. They are fire & water restoration, construction, roofing and restoration equipment rental. Tim Dickenson, CEO and Brother Micheal Dickenson, CFO are the core management of the company. The company uses their mission statement and the BBB Standards of Trust to train their team members to conduct themselves at all times. They also ascribe to the work standards and values of the IICRC, an international restoration services industry organization. Their mission statement, BBB standards, a discussion of IICRC standards are all directly presented on the company public website for reference.
One of their customers said, “On a scale of 1 to 10, (10 being the best) I would have to rate Briercroft at about 15. Many thanks to your company.” Another said, “Your people kept their word, and cam when they stated they would arrive. Did a great job. It is great when a company stands behind their work and word. Thank You.”
Countryside Homes
2618 US Highway 83
This family owned businesses started building homes in 1997 with just a few homes per year. Today it is one of the largest home builders in the area. The company’s commitment to ethics is evident in their Mission Statement: “Build the Best Quality Home Available at a fair price, always being Honest, Fair and Reliable.”
One of their customers told the judges, “Frank and Janis Langley are honorable people who can be trusted with a deal involving hundreds of thousands of dollars secured with a handshake. If there is any small business in Abilene that is worthy of an award for integrity, it’s Countryside Homes.” A supplier had this to say, “Franks reputation of honesty is second to none, his integrity is beyond reproach, his attention to detail is unquestioned, and his business acumen leaves nothing to be desired
Lone Star Electric
301 Locust
Lone Star Electric was founded 22 years ago by Matt Robinson and Doug Jones, with two worn out pick-up trucks and a set of hand tools as Matt Robinson likes to tell it. Since then the company has prospered and grown, acquiring Key City Electric in 2008, and becoming partners with Knight Carpet opening Lone Star Lighting in 2010. The company believes that their commitment to customer service is what sets them apart from others.
A customer had this to say, “… there is no other electric company in town that we would trust more than Lone Star Electric.” Another wrote, “In every way they are a company we can trust and just as importantly, depend on. Lone Star Electric, their owners and employees, exemplify the heart of Abilene: caring, honest and dependable.”
Mankin & Sons Gardens
4002 N 1st
This third generation business is completely family owned and operated. The nursery, landscaping, tree care, and recently expanded into the floral business has grown but continues to have a long tradition of honesty and fairness in everything they do. It all starts with the company mission statement that starts: “… it is our mission to conduct our business in a truly ethical and socially responsible manner that contributes back to our community.”
The company associate handbook contains a “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics”.
This code states: “Mankin takes ownership and pride in ensuring ethical business practices in all areas of operation. We do not engage in unethical or illegal activities in the pursuit of business opportunities”. Here is what one supplier told the judging committee, “The atmosphere of professionalism and honesty he has is visible throughout his organization from the leadership he provides.”
ServiceMaster by A-Town/Hi-Tech
4402 S Danville Dr.
This locally owned company is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Starting as a carpet cleaning businesses, it was founded by Gary Glenn. You could say it was one man in a van but the company quickly grew. Names and locations changed over the years and the company evolved as the market and technology changed. Fire and water restoration services were added and in 1999 the company purchased the current location at 4402 S Danville.
One constant in this changing and evolving company is their commitment to good customer service and training and certification. Gary Glenn holds certifications as Master Water Restoration, Master Fire & Smoke Restoration and Master Textile Cleaner and currently serves as President of the Society of Cleaning and Restoration Technicians, a worldwide association for the cleaning and restoration industry.
Sign Pro of Abilene
2541 S Treadaway
Sign Pro is celebrating 17 years of service to the Big Country. Lou Murray President/Owner and Janelle Dry Manager have been a part of Sign Pro since its beginnings. Both are heavily involved in the area community on various boards and organizations. Lou has been an Honorary Squadron Commander at Dyess AFB for over 25 years.
One of the company’s vendors told the judges, “Sign Pro Abilene is, in my estimation, a perfect example of a company that emulates what the Torch Award is all about… They have been honest and ethical in all facets of their relationship…which is why I can make this recommendation with complete confidence.” Another vendor said, “Sign Pro is a model customer. I wish we had a thousand customers like Sign Pro of Abilene.”
WC Vending
5265 Sherbrooke Ln
Windell Lowe founded his company in 2008, but he has over 30 years’ experience with the soft drink industry. He has set some high goals for his company, “is to satisfy 100% of our customers 100% of the time.” He does this in part by providing the highest quality beverages, being a good citizen, and letting his actions and deeds speak louder than words.
One of the company’s customers told the judges, “We have used several vending companies but none compare to WC Vending.” Windell Lowe’s personality is a big part of his success. Another customer said, “Mr. Lowe always has a smile on his face and brightens our day each time he comes.” Another said, “We enjoy Windell, he comes in with a big smile makes us laugh, and feels like a part of our family.”
