Better Business Bureau serving Central, Northern and Western Arizona (BBB) revealed the 2016 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics winners during its 15th annual dinner sponsored by Wells Fargo.

BBB also presented its Luminary Award to a family and brand well known in the business community.

The BBB Torch Awards for Ethics recognize firms whose business practices and related activities exemplify BBB’s mission and principles to ensure the marketplace remains fair and honorable.

2016 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics Winners:

Category 1 (1-10 Employees)

Tri-City Transmission Service, Inc.

Category 2 (11-20 Employees)

Elite Shutters & Blinds, LLC

Category 3 (21-50 Employees) 

Overson Roofing

Category 4 (51-150 Employees)

Pitzer’s One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating

Category 5 (Over 150 Employees) 

American Traffic Solutions/ATS Processing Services
“These winners join a community of trustworthy businesses that understand how important trust, transparency and integrity are to business success,” said Matthew Fehling, BBB president and CEO.

BBB’s Torch Awards for Ethics is an annual program that gains public recognition for businesses who maintain a solid commitment to operating ethically. An open call for nominations occurs each fall and businesses who meet criteria are invited to submit a formal application. Companies are then selected by an independent panel of volunteer community and business leaders based on criteria established by the Council of Better Business Bureaus’ International Torch Award.

The following companies were also honored as 2016 finalists for their dedication to ethical practices:

  • Arizona Carpet and Restoration (Phoenix)
  • Trees For Needs (Phoenix)
  • Anytime Auto Glass (Mesa)
  • SunHarvest Solar (Phoenix)
  • Creative Business Resources (Phoenix)
  • Design Tree Maintenance, Inc. (Phoenix)
  • Dircks Moving & Logistics (Phoenix)
  • George Brazil Air Conditioning & Heating (Phoenix)
  • Caliber, The Wealth Development Company (Scottsdale)
  • Compass Cleaning Solutions (Tempe)

In addition to the winners and finalists, BBB honored its 2016 Luminary Award recipient. The award was established last year to honor an Arizona leader for positively impacting the community while embodying the spirit of BBB. Fehling presented the award to business leader Chris McMurry and family, recognizing McMurry Publishing’s support of BBB for nearly twenty years and most recently entrusting his former central Phoenix campus to BBB, who moved in two months ago.

“McMurry did more than just entrust us with their beautiful campus. They supported our vision of building stronger ties in the business community by donating more than one million dollars in FF&E that they had invested in just a few years earlier,” Fehling said. “Without McMurry’s generous act, our organization would not be in a state-of-the-art, fully furnished campus positioned to immediately invite local businesses to use our services and accommodations.”

Another highlight of the night included a dynamic keynote address from Scottsdale author and contributing writer to Forbes and Huffington Post Louis Efron, who signed copies of his book How to Find a Job, Career and Life You Love. As former Head of Engagement for Tesla Motors, Efron told the room of 400 business owners and leaders why it is critical to be engaged on purpose.  Wells Fargo was the presenting sponsor for the 15th year in a row while radio and television personality Pat McMahon served as master of ceremonies for the 11th year.