8 Local Companies Announced as IMPACT Award Recipients

Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce March 4, 2015

Photo: Kimberly Anderson-Matich, President and CEO of Anderson Security Agency, Ltd. (ASA), took home the "2015 Response to Adversity" award.

Photo: Kimberly Anderson-Matich, president and CEO of Anderson Security Agency, Ltd. (ASA), took home the “2015 Response to Adversity” award.

The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (GPCC) has selected eight deserving local companies as recipients of its 28th annual IMPACT Awards. The IMPACT Awards honor the accomplishments of small and large businesses and the impact they have on the Valley’s business community and economy. This year — as in each of the past three years of the program — the GPCC recognizes two recipients in each of four categories: Community Champion, Economic Driver, Entrepreneurial Excellence, and Response to Adversity. The 2015 IMPACT Businesses of the Year will be selected from these honorees and announced at a luncheon on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at the Arizona Biltmore. The 2015 award recipients are:

Small to Medium Business Category (250 employees or fewer):
2015 Community Champion – Arizona School Choice Trust
2015 Economic Driver – HDR, Inc.
2015 Entrepreneurial Excellence – Pinnacle Transplant Technologies, LLC
2015 Response to Adversity – Anderson Security Agency, Ltd.

Large Business Category (More than 250 employees):
2015 Community Champion – Wells Fargo
2015 Economic Driver – Goodwill of Central Arizona
2015 Entrepreneurial Excellence – EXOS
2015 Response to Adversity – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

“These eight companies truly represent what makes our community such a great place to live, work and do business,” said Todd Sanders, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. “Their entrepreneurial spirit drives our state forward, and we are privileged to honor them for their leadership, commitment to community, job creation and economic impact.”

SMALL TO MEDIUM BUSINESS CATEGORY (250 employees or fewer):

2015 Community Champion: Arizona School Choice Trust  – Elizabeth Dreckman, President
The Arizona School Choice Trust (ASCT) is a state-approved school tuition organization (STO) that exclusively serves low-income children through the administration of three state tax credit scholarship programs: the Individual Tuition Tax Credit Program, the Corporate Tuition Tax Credit Program, and Lexie’s Law for Disabled and Displaced students.

2015 Economic Driver: HDR, Inc. David Skinner, Vice President/Southwest Area Operations Manager
HDR, Inc. is a well-known leader in engineering and architectural design. HDR has partnered with clients to shape communities and push boundaries of what’s possible since 1917. Located in Arizona since 1959, HDR employs more than 200 employees in its Arizona offices, and is the largest architectural, engineering and consulting firm in the state.

2015 Entrepreneurial Excellence: Pinnacle Transplant Technologies Russ Yelton, CEO
Pinnacle Transplant Technologies, LLC (PTT) is a multi-service tissue bank dedicated to the ethical participation in the Donate Life™ process. PTT has become a pioneer in providing placental allograft and also specializes in processing musculoskeletal tissue for use in orthopedic, dental, spine, trauma and other various medical procedures.

2015 Response to Adversity: Anderson Security Agency, Ltd. (ASA) Kimberly Anderson-Matich, President and CEO
Anderson Security Agency, Ltd. is a nationally recognized and locally owned security service firm that provides the highest quality customized security programs in Arizona. ASA has a stellar reputation throughout the Valley for providing unmatched security solutions to meet the needs of all types of businesses.

LARGE BUSINESS CATEGORY (More than 250 employees):

2015 Community Champion: Wells Fargo Pam Conboy, Regional President, Arizona Community Banking
Wells Fargo is a diversified financial services company that provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 8,700 locations, 12,500 ATMs and the Internet across North America and internationally. Wells Fargo has long roots in Arizona, having opened its first office here in 1877. Today the company has 259 banking locations and employs over 15,000 Arizonans.

2015 Economic Driver: Goodwill of Central Arizona  – Tim O’Neal, President and CEO
Founded in Phoenix in 1947, Goodwill of Central Arizona is a nonprofit organization that provides job training and other services for Arizonans who want to find a job, pursue a credential or degree, and strengthen their finances. Their mission—“We Put People to Work”—empowers individuals to be productive and independent. In 2014, their dedicated efforts resulted in over 43,000 job placements.

2015 Entrepreneurial Excellence: EXOS Dan Burns, Chief Executive Officer
Founded in 1999, EXOS has grown to become a leader in proactive health and performance, trusted by elite athletes, the military and innovative companies worldwide. EXOS designs and delivers health and performance game plans that guide people to achieve higher levels of success. With world-class partners, facilities, technologies and specialists spanning six continents, EXOS is progressing the intelligence behind human performance.

2015 Response to Adversity: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona  Richard Boals, President and CEO
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health insurance company. Founded in 1939, it is Arizona’s largest locally based health insurer and provides products, services and networks to more than 1.1 million individuals. With offices in Phoenix, the East Valley, Flagstaff and Tucson, BCBSAZ employs more than 1,400 Arizonans.

“It’s always humbling when community leaders recognize your efforts,” said  Rich Boals, CEO and president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. “Winning the IMPACT Award from the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce is a testament to the commitment our employees make every day to our customers. This award honors the hard  work of our employees.”

“Being selected as a 2015 IMPACT Award recipient gives HDR’s employee-owners well-deserved recognition for their role developing infrastructure, which is critical to our community’s economic growth and quality of life,” said David Skinner, vice president and Southwest area operations manager at HDR, Inc. “We’re delighted to be included in this great list of recognized businesses as well as extremely proud of our hard-working and caring employees.  It is both an honor and a privilege to receive this award from the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.”

“At Arizona School Choice Trust (ASCT), we have helped thousands of students to achieve their dreams. We’ve worked to make a difference in our communities; and we are only getting started,” said Elizabeth Dreckman, president of ASCT. “We thank the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce for the opportunity to share our story and recognizing our organization for the difference it makes. The IMPACT Award is very special to us, as it recognizes the hard work and passion of our staff and board.”

“Winning the IMPACT Award means that Anderson Security Agency’s 20 years in the Valley has not gone unnoticed. It’s great to be recognized by my peers and the community which I so strongly support,” said Kimberly Anderson-Matich, president and CEO of Anderson Security Agency, Ltd. “Whether I am assisting in changing legislation affecting the security industry, sitting on the board of Drug Free Arizona and the National Security Alliance or raising money for the Fallen Security Officer Memorial Fund, my goal has always been to make an impact. Being recognized affirms my mission and encourages me to continue down the same path.”

“At EXOS, we strive to foster a culture of innovation in order to help improve the health and performance of all those we work with. That’s why this award means so much—it represents the collective work of our team,” said Dan Burns, chief executive officer of EXOS. “We’re thrilled to be recognized for entrepreneurial excellence by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.”

“Winning the 2015 Impact Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence is a validation for our associates on the  dedication they have given to improving lives,” said Russ Yelton, CEO of Pinnacle Transplant Technologies. “This award exemplifies our focus on providing safe, quality-driven products to improve lives through innovation, collaboration and teamwork!”

This year’s IMPACT Award recipients join the long list of successful Valley businesses that have made an impact on our community. To view the prestigious list of past IMPACT Award recipients, visit www.phoenixchamber.com/recipients.

 

Speak Your Mind

In Business Dailies

Sign up for a complimentary year of In Business Dailies with a bonus Digital Subscription of In Business Magazine delivered to your inbox each month!

  • Get the day’s Top Stories
  • Relevant In-depth Articles
  • Daily Offers
  • Coming Events