The time has come for you, the public, to cast your ballots for the Small and Large Business of the Year awards to be presented by the Greater Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce. The awards will be presented by the chamber during its annual Chairman’s Installation and Awards Ceremony March 31st. The reception will be held at the Rendezvous, 40 Avenida Escuela staring at 5:30 p.m.
To cast your votes, complete the ballot that will be published in the Sierra Vista Herald/Bisbee Review and drop that ballot into one of the following ballot box locations: The Herald, 102 Fab Ave; Sierra Vista Chamber of Commerce, 21 East Wilcox; National Bank of Arizona, 1160 E. Fry Blvd., and National Bank at 25 S. Highway 92. Ballots may also be obtained from the bank tellers.
The deadline to cast your ballots is March 17th. Make your choice known.
Here are the nominees in the small business category: E.F. Edwards Financial, Horizon Moving Systems of Sierra Vista and Photography by Ty
E.F. EDWARDS FINANCIAL, INC.
According to Joe T. Stroud Jr., President of E.F. Edwards, his company is dedicated to providing honest residential and commercial real estate mortgage loan services to owners and buyers throughout Arizona. The company is not a “one size fits all” mortgage lender and spends a great deal of time with its customers in order to provide mortgage related education, and to determine exactly what they want and need in mortgage services in order to identify the best mortgage for them. E.F. Edwards loan officers often spend up to three or more hours with a customer at the initial interview to get the answers to the all-important questions. The company does not offer “toxic´loans.”
According to Stroud, “we truly seek customers for life and have done many mortgage loans for the same customer…over time. We are members of our industry’s professional organizations, as well as members of many civic and professional organizations where we share information.”
The company also presents classes to realtors, appraisers, escrow officers and members of the mortgage industry; is actively involved in enhancing its own professional knowledge and in the past six months, each of the loan originators has participated in at least 24 hours of continuing professional education, and passed both national and state Loan Originator licensing examinations with scores well above the national average. Half of the loan originators have received over 40 hours of continuing education in the past six months. Stroud points with pride to a professional and friendly work environment that reduces employee turnover. The full-time Loan Originators have been with E.F. Edwards for at least 11 years and others up to 14 years. There is a competitive compensation program including a retirement program. The employees frequently remark about the “family atmosphere.”
As for community involvement, E.F. Edwards actively supports: NAMI; Salvation Army; Girl Scouts, local school and sporting events. Employees have been involved in raising dollars for “Just for Kids”; scholarships have been offered for students at Cochise College; the company has sponsored many adult and children’s softball teams; Little League; and was the major sponsor for last year’s regional football tournament. Contributions by its employees have also been made to; San Pedro Kiwanis, Project Graduation, Red Cross, Boys and Girls Club and other organizations.
E.F. Edwards, when possible, always chooses or recommends local title companies and appraisers, and actively supports the Southeast Arizona Association of Realtors, as well as, the local Multiple Listing Service by sponsoring one professional meeting a month. The company uses local businesses to manage the company’s retirement plan, printing, signage, gifts, flowers, lock rekeying, document storage, banking, accounting, office products, property rental, legal services, health care, automation and services.
E.F. Edwards had has an office in Sierra Vista since 1993 and has 6 full time employees. To quote Stroud, “We do our job professionally. We pay our employees well. We pay our bills on time. I believe our company is a good citizen and contributes well to our community.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TY
Photography by Ty’s business model is based on delivering a quality product in a timely manner at a reasonable cost. The 2-member staff answers all email and voice mail inquiries within one business day. In 2009, the business added a fifteen-terabyte server to help process photographs more efficiently. Recently the on-line store supporting the business was updated to include novelty photography products. To help with customer service after the sale, Photography by Ty provides the customer with a follow-up email or phone call.
Photography by Ty provides over 20 local charities and civic groups with in-kind and pro bono photography services. Every year on Christmas Eve, the business owners ring the bell for the Salvation Army. The business also supports a photography mentoring program with Buena High School’s Photography program.
Photography by Ty always purchases office and photography supplies locally. The business also uses local printers for calendars, brochures, and business cards. According to Ty, “local Sierra Vista businesses offer all the small business supplies required by the small business owner.” The company also supports local restaurants with business meetings and client dinners, and supports other Sierra Vista chamber members with a special low-cost storefront and interior photographs for website and advertising.
In 2009, Ty’s documentary coverage of the Historic Soldier Relocation project provided the company
with its first congressional recognition letter and produced his fourth Pulitzer prize submission in feature photography. That seven-month project was done pro bono for the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
HORIZON MOVING SYSTEMS OF SIERRA VISTA, INC.
As Cochise County’s first business to win the Better Business Bureau’s business ethics award, Sierra Vista’s Horizon Moving has consistently demonstrated excellent customer service practices by its entire team of professionals for over 45 years. Always striving to provide its customers with the highest quality relocation possible, whether moving across the street or around the world, Horizon Moving of Sierra Vista, an agent for United Van Lines, has historically proven to be a strong performer in its industry. In 2009, United ranked Horizon nationally in its size category with a 93% willingness to recommend based on customer survey returns. Chris Snodgrass was named “National
Sales Person of the Month” in February and earned an elite spot in United’s Masters Club. Office Manager and Lead Move Coordinator Tanny Schmidt was named United’s national winner of the “Heart of Quality” award for her dedication to the customers. Horizon, as a team, was honored with United’s national “Customer Choice Award” as the number one agent in its category in quality scores. In a struggling economy, with sluggish home sales and decreasing relocation opportunities. the entire team of 14 employees pulled together to finish strong.
Horizon was started over 85 years ago by the Dusenberry family in Tucson. Now, 3 generations later, the Horizon tradition of community involvement is well-known. In February Horizon’s President and owner Bruce Dusenberry was named Man of the Year by the Tucson Metro Chamber, honoring his commitment to community service. This honor exemplifies one part of Horizon’s mission statement; “Supporting Our Communities.” Every Horizon branch has deep roots in its community and actively seeks to support service organizations and charitable causes. As a member of the chamber, and active in the Military Affairs committee (MAC), Horizon has proudly supported our troops by sponsoring MAC awards for deserving military and civilian support personnel. Horizon has long been a member of Rotary, the Huachucans, Huachuca 50 and other service organizations.
The Horizon team has donated its services to the Sierra Vista Regional Health Center Foundation delivering Christmas trees every December in support of the Festival of Trees. Other services and donations were provided to Catholic Social Services, Boys and Girls club, Forgache House, Sierra Vista Police Dept., Special Olympics, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army, Good Neighbor Alliance, Sierra Vista Symphony, County food banks, hospital Candlelight Ball and Key West fund raisers, Buena Project Graduation and many others.
“Shop Local” is a Horizon mandate. Horizon does business whenever possible with local merchants and service providers. This is demonstrated in a number of ways: as a sponsor of the Chamber Expo and “Shop Local” bags; as a local vendor doing business with Les at Ace; Leo at Competition Tire; Johnny at J&L Auto Specialties; Greg at Monty’s Motors; Elizabeth at Romisco Signs; Nancy at Stuff’n Baskets; Poppy at Sierra Vista Flowers; Glenn at Office Smart; Clayton at Specialty Advertising Lines and many more. Horizon is actively dedicated to providing referrals to local businesses.
The nominees for the Large Business award are: Donovan Dodge Chrysler Jeep Mazda, Sierra Toyota and Sierra Animal Hospital.
SIERRA TOYOTA
Sierra Toyota’s logo, “the feel good block” represents how it wants its customers to feel when doing business with them. Every experience should leave the customer with a good feeling of having completed a vehicle purchase with no pressure, up-front negotiations, and ethical practices. Those same attitudes apply to all those who service their vehicles with Sierra Toyota. This company has been ranked #2 with Toyota, in the region of 70 dealers, in customer sale satisfaction, and #17 nationwide of 1228 dealers. The service department has been ranked #9 in region and #320 in the nation. Awards have been many including: the BBB Ethics; recognition for sales, service and parts excellence; customer relations; and the first auto dealership to win the Comerica Bank Arizona Companies to Watch. 50 businesses throughout the state were chosen on the basis of: business growth; customer service; community involvement and entrepreneurial spirit.
Even with a down economy Sierra Toyota has done its best to continue support of community organizations, charitable and military venues. Owner Elsie MacMillan serves as co-chair of the chamber’s Military Affairs Committee (MAC). She reaches out to other businesses in the community
seeking support with sponsorships, gift donations, speakers for the monthly luncheons held on Post. The dealership is also a contributor with luncheon support and gifts. The annual awards and NETCOM competition are also supported with finances or in-kind gifts. Support is also provided for the Good Neighbor Alliance with the purchase of several tables and donation of prizes during the annual fund raising dinner event. Contributions are also made to the Good Samaritan Station.
The company continues to support WorkForce Alliance, Cowboy Poetry and Musical Gathering, Buena Project Graduation and many other organizations such as: Sierra Vista Open; Kiwanis; Rotary; Sierra Vista Symphony.
Sierra Toyota, when it built its new facility, utilized as many local businesses and contractors as possible, with an estimated return to the local economy of more than one million dollars. Local purchasing includes: building supplies, office products, printing, forms, parts, body shop repairs, motor vehicle services, gas electric, cable, water, IT services, advertising and media, towing, specialty auto installations, accounting/legal, and food establishments. It is estimated that the dealership spends at least $500,000, if not more, a year to support other businesses in Sierra Vista.
As MacMillan put it, “We do our best to encourage community people, as well, to shop local at our dealership, since all transactions provide tax dollars for Sierra Vista, provide employment for 40 people and will help us continue to support the community in return.”
SIERRA ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Sierra Animal Hospital, with 23 full-time employees, has aggressively expanded over the last four years, and continues to grow and employ significant staff, despite the down economy. It has aggressively responded to the needs of the community….especially the lack of weekend and veterinary coverage. Sierra Animal Hospital is now Cochise County’s only seven day a week veterinary practice, and is the only practice in the county with evening hours seven days a week.
With Southern Arizona’s only pet ambulance, another level of service has been added by this facility.
There are now plans to create a 24-hour emergency response service, with medically supported transport to Tucson, providing veterinary emergency coverage to an area that cannot support a traditional 24-hour veterinary practice.
Sierra Animal Hospital is dedicated to its staff with a generous bonus scheme, including bonuses for taking continuing education and other education. There is a mix of local and national training courses for staff members, as well as, a significant in-house training program that includes its own online training and staff information portal. There are routine open staff meetings and departmental meetings to keep everyone informed and aware. Regular social gatherings are also a feature of life at the hospital, as is a high level of flexibility regarding scheduling. Staff benefits include: vacation time, 401K plan, health insurance allowance, scrubs, professional association dues, and target and educational bonuses.
The hospital is also a pioneer in the use of internet and social networking, and has developed new technological tools to provide better care for its patients such as: video monitoring of hospitalized cases with online access for doctors and staff. It is also in the process of becoming a paperless practice with electronic pet medical records and the computerization of all aspects of the hospital’s business.
Through its own internal Staff Rescue Fund, employees and the company contribute voluntarily and monies can be used to help pet owners who are unable to pay for their pets’ treatment. The hospital promotes awareness of the transmission of animal diseases to humans through its participation at community events with booth and literature. It is a sponsor of, and contributor to, Cherry Creek Radio Patrol; sponsor of Cox Media’s Pet Corner; involved with Sierra Vista and Cochise County animal control by helping treat victims of abuse and neglect. Regular talks are given at schools regarding pets and pet care, along with career advice for older students. The hospital is now experimenting with an intern program to attract recent veterinary graduates to Sierra Vista.
Special pricing is made available for military families, equivalent to that of on-post services. The hospital also works with animal rescue groups, and employees, on their own time, actively work with non-profits.
Sierra Animal Hospital has built a strong and lasting relationship with local suppliers over the past 25 years. “Shopping local, being business and client friendly, and always being at the forefront of technology are just some of the ways that Sierra Animal Hospital hopes to continue making Sierra Vista and Cochise County a great place to live and have a pet.”
DONOVAN DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP MAZDA
Employees with Donovan maintain good relationships with their clients no matter what the job or purchase. Donovan purchased and installed a software system that reminds sales and service personnel to follow up with clientele and maintain good relationships with customers via letters, personal calls and birthday reminders. The dealership has had one of the highest Chrysler Customer Satisfaction indexes in the business. Customers for life is the mantra. The company distributes a monthly employee newsletter recognizing great work by staff and highlighting the “employee of the month”. Birthday cards and gift certificates are presented, company picnics for employees and families are held and owner John Donovan hosts 10 to 14 veterans who work for him at the annual Bring a Vet to Lunch Observance. The many long-term employees are testament to the good work environment at Donovan where the owner and management strive to provide a positive, comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. It’s the personal touches such as: flowers for Valentine’s Day; lunch provided every Saturday for all working employees and the generosity to all staff by Donovan that make it a great place to work. All employees are treated fairly, people are given second chances. Everyone is a member of the Donovan family.
John Donovan has been actively involved in his community throughout the years. He has been an active member of the Chamber of Commerce since 1984, and also served on its board of directors. He also served on the board of the U f A South Foundation, is an active BBB member. His community service includes: award sponsor Military Affairs Committee and annual Military Awards banquet; sponsor and participant in Relay for Life; active supporter and sponsor of numerous community events; conducts food drives, toy drives; involved in Festival of Trees for benefit of Sierra Vista Regional Health Center; strong supporter of youth sports, 4H programs and has helped raise money for schools. Donovan has been an active supporter of the United Way, the Nomaden Motorcycle Club’s Christmas in July Ride, and has sponsored vehicles for “Hole in One” contests in many golf tournaments. He often supplies vehicles for parades, and is a key organizer of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The deadline to cast your ballots is March 17th. Make your choice.