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Cornerstone Alliance                                                                                          FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 19, 2009

38 W. Wall Street                                                                                                4 Pages

Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Contact:                Jamie Balkin

Phone:                   (269) 757-0207

FAX:                        (269) 925-4471

businesses honored at combined annual meeting

Benton Harbor, MI—Thursday, February 19, 2009— Local business people were honored at the Combined Annual Meeting of Cornerstone Alliance and Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce and their affiliate organizations. The meeting was held at the Mendel Center for Arts and Technology at Lake Michigan College, on Thursday, February 19, 2009.

Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Pat Moody, said “Collectively, the companies we are honoring this evening were responsible for creating over 342 new jobs, a 36.9% average increase for facility expansions, a 56.5% average increase in sales performance, and average capital investments of over $8.2 million. Total area-wide investments from job providers equaled over $155 million.”

SILVER STAKE AWARD WINNERS

Silver Stake Award winners have either created 25 new jobs, increased sales or unit volume by 25%, expanded their facilities by 10%, or increased capital investment by at least $100,000. The recipients were:

GOLD STAKE AWARD WINNERS

The Gold Stake Award winners either created 50 new jobs, increased sales or unit volume by 50%, expanded facilities by 25%, or increased their capital investment by at least $200,000. The recipients were:

PLATINUM STAKE AWARD WINNERS

Platinum Stake Award winners either created 100 new jobs, increased sales or unit volume by 100%, expanded facilities by 50%, or increased their capital investment by at least $300,000. The recipients were:

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARDS

“The Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes the importance of both sectors of our business community: commercial and manufacturing,” stated Moody. “All the winners met or exceeded the most stringent criteria, including staying power, growth, creativity, response to adversity, and community involvement.”

Entrepreneur of the Year—Commercial Division

Moody presented the recipient of the 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year—Commercial Division—to Bill Crowder of the Signature Automotive Group.

Moody said, “The Signature Automotive Group located at 680 E. Napier Ave., a Toyota, Scion, Hyundai & Mitsubishi dealership, expanded in late 2007. Thanks to substantial sales growth over the past 4 years, the company needed more space for servicing and maintaining vehicles. They wanted a facility and staff that could lead them into the next 15 years of growth.

Moody added “What Signature has been able to accomplish here, despite economic instability, is a result of a commitment to the company and the community they serve. None of which would have taken place without the efforts of General Manager Bill Crowder.  While 2008 was not a growth year for them, they were actually able to improve their Toyota volume by 5 units while the rest of the country saw declines. 

Entrepreneur of the Year—Manufacturing Division

Moody presented the 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year—Manufacturing—to Rich Oles and Bill Wycoff of PSG-Plastic Service Group.

Moody shared, “On Christmas Eve 2008, Stevensville entrepreneur Rich Oles dispatched a very special message to his customers, vendors, family and friends. His e-mail began with a quote about leadership from Robert Jarvik. He then moved into explaining how his company, PSG-Plastic Service Group, Inc. continues to adjust in dealing with today’s events and looking beyond the current crisis into tomorrow’s success.”

“His group of companies is family owned and operated, allowing them to adjust to the market as needs arise. That, in large part, explains how his company, in sharp contrast to media reports from across the nation, saw sales grow by an amazing 65% in 2008, with one major product line selling four times more than had been initially planned for,” added Moody.

“Naturally, Rich is very proud of his team’s hard work, and the significance of such growth in current conditions. PSG continues to gain market share while competitors are losing it. The timing and the tone of the Christmas Eve message made it very inspirational and uplifting, and Rich, his partner Bill Wycoff and his entire crew are working around the clock to make those forecasts a reality,” concluded Moody.

LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD

Moody presented the 2008 Large Business of the Year Award to Ausco Products, Inc.

Moody said, “In these uncertain times, it is difficult to imagine a company continuing to grow in the past year. But that is exactly what Ausco Products did in 2008. In 2008, Ausco increased sales revenues by 14.6%, making it the highest brake sales year in the company’s history. Over the past five years, Ausco has grown 80%. They attribute their growth to three things:

1.      Great Employees. Employees who exemplify Ausco’s core values of positive attitudes, respect, integrity, flexibility, and dedication. It is one thing to talk about core values. Ausco employees live them.

2.      Heavy Investment in Technology. Rather than fighting it out in the trenches with “me too” products, Ausco’s strategy is to develop custom, high value, and often patentable products that solve the demands and specifications of its customers. By doing so, Ausco’s position with the customer is unique-they are the only game in town. In many cases, the competition has been locked out. For example, Ausco was recently awarded their 11^th platform at John Deere.  Of these 11 platforms, four of the brakes are patented. All 11 of the brakes are unique designs with Ausco as the sole approved source.

3.      Focus. Ausco employees universally understand that putting quality first and putting the customer first are their first priority. Keeping focus on the customer and his needs are paramount to the success of any company, and Ausco employees live it everyday.

CORNERSTONE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GREEN BUSINESS AWARD

Moody shared this award is designed to reward sustainable businesses working to preserve and protect the environment. Moody presented the 2008 Cornerstone Chamber Green Business Award to Freedom Finishing, Inc.

Moody said, “Some businesses like to be considered “green” because it’s the politically correct thing to do.  Then, there’s Freedom Finishing, Incorporated in Benton Charter Township, their company is based on the principle that they are Earth friendly.” 

“Owner Gloria Ender insists that her e-coating company will always go above and beyond whatever environmental regulations may require.  As they go about their daily operation, Freedom Finishing employs water-based, non-flammable chemicals, and then presses additional machinery into action to literally suck-up any excess.  The company has also taken advantage of the RETAP Program which employs retired technical assistance professionals who conduct an energy-efficiency audit to reduce energy and waste material costs as much as possible,” added Moody.

“The company sought out “Green Certification” to confirm their environmental credentials.  As a result, her company is now so self-conscious that they recycle their oil, and chemical drums.  They even use recycled paper plates for the company’s pizza parties each week. Their certification is a huge plus with clients like Haworth and John Deere who hold her in high esteem for having achieved that status,” concluded Moody.

EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD

Moody reported the Excellence in Customer Service Award is presented by the Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Team. Excellence in Customer Service is defined as: the ability of an organization to continually and consistently exceed the customer’s expectations. The 2008 Excellence in Customer Service Award was presented to Twin Cities Electric.

Moody shared, “The Berrien Artist Guild, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation which owns and operates the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph, Michigan. They are on a tight budget and on numerous occasions this past year they have found themselves in need of electrical work to maintain and improve their building in order to continue to serve our community in arts and culture. In March of 2008, they publicized through the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan a need for the donation of electrical services. Twin Cities Electric, Inc. stepped forward.”

“Twin Cities Electric donated labor and did the electrical work for a new area at the Box Factory. In May, 2008, they had an electrical problem that needed immediate attention and Twin Cities Electric was at their site and fixed the problem in one hour. In August, 2008, they again donated the electricity for a new office area,” added Moody.

“Twin Cities Electric has refurbished all the emergency lighting in the building and installed the electricity in a new bathroom and made several repairs for them this past year. Their service has always been quick, professional, high quality and always at a very competitive price,” concluded Moody.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Moody said, “Finally, tonight…we recognize two important people without whom our organization would be considerably less effective.  They play key roles in ancillary arms of the Cornerstone family.”

2008 AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR

The Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors group is comprised of local business professionals that are charged with the responsibility of bringing community attention to Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce and its members that it serves. The Ambassadors are volunteers who represent the Chamber at ribbon cuttings, act as hosts at monthly Business After Hours events, volunteer to work at our Annual Reception, Golf & Picnic outing, and the Fall Trade Fair. They also make member retention calls to ensure that each member is contacted on an annual basis. Additionally, Ambassadors place a welcome call to new members to thank them for joining the Chamber, provide a personal invitation to the next Chamber event and answer any questions the new member may have.

Moody said, “The Ambassadors are an invaluable group. The success of our Chamber is driven by our Ambassadors dedication, commitment and their generous time that they devote to our organization. This year’s Ambassador of the Year is Glenn Wilson.  A lifelong resident of Michigan's Great Southwest, he is a Realtor with Re/Max Sunset Coast, starting his real estate practice in 1989. He enjoys being an
Ambassador for Cornerstone and truly enjoys the meet and greet at the Business After Hours.  He encourages members to attend these informal gatherings to promote fellowship and learn about members’ businesses.”

SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES PARTNER OF THE YEAR

Moody said, “It has been said that you are only as strong as those individuals that you surround yourself with.  Cornerstone Alliance Small Business Services is honored to be in the company of Mark Miller of Klute Miller Johnson, PLC.”

“Mark is always willing to assist Small Business Services clients and has even volunteered his time to be one of the presenters of the CORE FOUR class offered by Small Business Services,” added Moody.

Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven organization encouraging the growth of business through networking, advocacy, visibility and benefits for all of our members. The Chamber represents over 700 businesses that provide over 40,000 jobs for our community.