The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (GPCC) recognized eight outstanding Valley businesses at the 29th annual IMPACT Awards on Wednesday.
Danzeisen Dairy and Cox Communications earned accolades as the 2016 IMPACT Businesses of the Year. The luncheon celebrated the remarkable contributions these companies and their employees make to the Greater Phoenix community.
The IMPACTful Nonprofit Award is new this year to the Chamber’s annual IMPACT Awards. This award recognizes the value of nonprofits in the Valley, while also taking into consideration the unique situation, scope and abilities of a nonprofit organization. The IMPACTful Nonprofit Award honors a nonprofit that exhibits success through community impact, innovation and adversity. Junior Achievement of Arizona was selected as the inaugural recipient of this award.
“Congratulations to Danzeisen Dairy and Cox Communications for being recognized as the 2016 IMPACT Businesses of the Year,” said Todd Sanders, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. “It is our great pleasure to recognize these successful, innovative and inspiring businesses. Their achievements and contributions to Arizona are truly deserving of special recognition. Both organizations enhance our community and demonstrate the true spirit of entrepreneurship and leadership in everything they do.”
Here are the winners and their categories:
2016 IMPACT Business of the Year (Small to Medium Business Sector – 250 employees or fewer)
Danzeisen Dairy – Kevin Danzeisen, president and general manager
Danzeisen Dairy is a family-run farm established for over 50 years in Phoenix. In 2014, Danzeisen launched its own brand and label, a bold move for a small dairy farm to shift away from producing milk for the Phoenix dairy cooperative. From the way Danzeisen’s milk is bottled to its retro glass bottles, quality is an important value that Danzeisen Dairy strongly works to uphold. It is also what differentiates them from other Arizona dairy farmers.
Danzeisen Dairy is committed to creating a positive impact on the entire community through its hiring, outreach and business culture. In addition to hiring teens to show them the value of hard work, Danzeisen also works directly with students to teach them the value of learning a trade and how it can set them up for a lifetime of success. Danzeisen is not only a true local brand, but a member of the community.
“Being named the 2016 IMPACT Small Business of the Year means that we are putting our vision, which is providing the best care to our cows and products to our customers, into action,” said Danzeisen Dairy President and General Manager Kevin Danzeisen. “I think if we didn’t care a lot about our cows, products and our community, we wouldn’t be here today.”
2016 IMPACT Business of the Year Award (Large Business Sector – More than 250 employees):
Cox Communications –John Wolfe, senior vice president & southwest regional general manager
Cox Communications is a dynamic telecommunications company that serves more than 6 million customers with more than 22,000 employees. As the nation’s largest privately owned cable and broadband company, Cox goes above and beyond to reinvest in its services and shares the rewards with its employees. The diversity of its employee base has also been a key business strategy since the company’s inception more than 100 years ago. Cox prides itself on providing comprehensive benefits that keep employees happy and healthy, leading to recognition as a “Best Place to Work” by the Phoenix Business Journal.
Cox is committed to seeing the community thrive and supports local youth and education initiatives. Since 1996, more than $6 million has funded youth and education programs in Arizona. Guided by its code of excellence, Cox improves the quality of life in the communities it serves and conducts business with honesty and integrity.
“Being recognized as the 2016 IMPACT Business of the Year by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce is a great honor,” said John Wolfe, senior vice president & southwest regional general manager at Cox Communications. “We were selected for not only our community impact, but also our community investment. We bring about $1.1 billion per year in economic activity to Arizona. We also have 3,200 employees who work here who volunteer their time and contribute to Cox Charities so we can help community groups grow.”
2016 IMPACTful Nonprofit:
Junior Achievement of Arizona, founded in 1957, educates Valley youth about careers, money and managing the economics of life. Each year, Junior Achievement works with more than 370 schools, 8,000 adult mentors, and diverse corporate and community partners to integrate curriculum on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and workforce readiness into the classroom for 97,000 Arizona students, kindergarten through high school. Out of 115 Junior Achievement offices nationally, Junior Achievement of Arizona ranks number 11 and served more than 1.5 million students since 1957.
The organization’s goal is to create empowered students and assist them in becoming prepared citizens that tackle challenges through critical and entrepreneurial thinking with a basic understanding of economics and financial management. Junior Achievement helps to shape the college and career-readiness conversation, and plays an important role in Arizona’s workforce and economic development.
IMPACT Award Recipients in the Small to Medium Business Sector (250 employees or fewer):
Danzeisen Dairy – Community Champion
The Dhaba/India Plaza – Economic Driver
Goettl Air Conditioning – Response to Adversity
Melrose Pharmacy – Entrepreneurial Excellence
IMPACT Award Recipients in the Large Business Sector (More than 250 employees):
Cox Communications – Community Champion
Caliber, The Wealth Development Company – Economic Driver
CopperPoint Insurance Companies – Response to Adversity
WebPT – Entrepreneurial Excellence
Sentinel Awards:
For their willingness to champion efforts that ensure Arizona’s business climate is healthy and competitive, the Chamber recognized Arizona State Senator Debbie Lesko, Arizona State Senator Don Shooter and City of Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton with Sentinel Awards.
“All of the companies and Sentinel Award recipients honored today truly showcased the greater Phoenix region’s breadth of expertise, leadership and innovation. Each honoree is an exceptional organization that is dedicated to setting high standards and fostering a stronger business community. We are proud to recognize their outstanding achievements,” Sanders said.
