The Greater Greenwood Chamber honored seven outstanding companies and businesspeople at its “Annual Chamber Celebration,” held April 26, 2018. The Chamber presents the awards annually to acknowledge outstanding business achievement, remarkable construction, and extraordinary volunteerism. The 2018 awards and winners are: • Pride and Progress Award for Renovation: Randy Faulkner & Associates • Pride and Progress Award for New Construction: FC Tucker Company • Salute Award (10 employees or less): Paul’s Glass • Salute Award (11-49 employees): UFit, Inc. • Salute Award (more than 50 employees): DiscountFilters.com • Ambassador Committee member of the Year: Michael Budensiek, owner, UFit • Member of the Year: Teresa Harwood, vice president, Lee & Associates “Today’s business world is dynamic and success is achieved through evolving journeys. The winners of this year’s awards deserve applause and accolades for the success their businesses have achieved,” said Christian Maslowski, Greater Greenwood Chamber president and CEO, “and for the commitment to our business community. To borrow a phrase – a rising tide lifts all boats – so too have these companies improved our entire community and helped move it forward.” UFit, Inc., sponsored the 2018 awards. Franciscan Health presented the 2018 “Annual Chamber Celebration” ceremony. Pride and Progress Award (Renovation and New Construction) Winners The Pride & Progress Awards recognize organizations that made outstanding design efforts which positively contributed to their business success and enhanced our community. The 2018 award winner for building renovation is Randy Faulkner & Associates (https://www.rfanda.com/), which had an incredible vision to bring new life to a 30-year-old building, Jonathan Byrd’s. The redevelopment of this location allowed for 12 tenants, and there are currently only 4 spaces out of the 12 available to rent. From the start of the remodel of this location, the surrounding area has also seen many updates including the remodel and housing of the Union Savings Bank and the Circle K gas station. The 2018 award winner for new construction is FC Tucker Company of Greenwood (http://www.talktotucker.com/greenwood), which successfully created an office environment that supports its workers with a collaborative space and a comfortable, flexible work area, all on one level. Because this new building better suits the needs of their agents, this company has been able to recruit additional talent and grow. Salute Award Winners The Chamber’s Salute Awards recognize Chamber member businesses which have demonstrated success in one or more of the following areas: growth and stability, commitment to quality, creative/unique solutions to challenges, and entrepreneurial spirit. This year, awards were presented in three categories according to the recipients’ number of employees. The 2018 winner in the category of 10 employees or less is Paul’s Glass of Greenwood (https://www.paulsmobileglass.com/), whose owner began his company in 1987 replacing automotive glass. In the early 2000s, he came into contact with Sun Windows, a manufacturer of windows that were designed differently. Fifteen years later, this company became a large-volume dealer out of their small office in downtown Greenwood. Their gross annual sales have been trending upward ever since, and in 2017 they surpassed $2M in sales, representing a 58 percent increase in just the last two years. The 2018 winner in the category of 11 to 49 employees is UFit, Inc. (http://personaltrainerindy.com/), a fitness company offering one-on-one and small group personal training and fitness coaching. This recipient opened their first location in 2013 and planned to grow into two locations by the end of 2017. They superseded this goal by successfully operating four locations, with a fifth and sixth coming in 2018-2019. Their growth and entrepreneurial spirit is clearly driving success. While less than 50 percent of gyms survive their first five years of operation, UFit has four locations and grown sales 69 percent over the last two years. The 2018 winner in the category of more than 50 employees is DiscountFilters.com (https://www.discountfilters.com/), which was founded in 2004 by a local Greenwood entrepreneur. Today, DiscountFilters.com is one of the largest online retailers of filtration products in the world, shipping over 750,000 orders in 2017 alone. In May of 2017, the company embarked on an aggressive sales and marketing approach that doubled their sales revenue overnight. Today, the company employs over 100 full-time employees, with an additional 25-50 peak demand individuals. Ambassador of the Year Winner This award is given to the outstanding volunteer Ambassador Committee member, based on the volunteer’s engagement, merit and efforts mentoring new business members throughout the recent calendar year. This year’s winner is Michael Budensiek, owner of UFit (http://personaltrainerindy.com/). Chamber Member (Person) of the Year Winner This award is presented to a person who goes above and beyond to activate his or her company’s membership, support the Chamber, and promote the Chamber and its members. The 2018 winner is Teresa Harwood, Vice President of Lee & Associates (https://www.lee-associates.com/people/?office=2406&broker=15472). Maslowski noted, “The Chamber believes true business success lies in the heart of each company – its people. Each of these award-winning stories is a testament to strong leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, and a focus on people, both clients and employees.” About the Greater Greenwood Chamber of Commerce The Greater Greenwood Chamber, incorporated in 1954, is a 501(c)6 business membership organization. Its growing membership represents nearly 700 small organizations, big corporations, and self-employed individuals located in northern Johnson and southern Marion counties in Central Indiana. The Chamber provides members with networking, education, and promotional opportunities, and serves as advocates of their business interests. www.GreenwoodChamber.com
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