Some of the most dynamic businesses in Arizona were honored Wednesday as winners at the 2015 Industry Leaders of Arizona (ILoA) Awards, which recognize the contributions and impact of Arizona‐based companies on both the economy of Arizona and in the communities they serve.
Companies were selected from five key industries:
• Aerospace and defense
• Commercial and residential real estate service contractors
• Food and beverage (non-hospitality)
• Healthcare support services
• Software/data support
““This is one of the most prestigious corporate award programs in Arizona,” said says Cheryl Green, publisher of Az Business magazine, which hosts the awards. “It recognizes both the CEO and CFO along with the contributions and impact these Industry Leaders bring to the state of Arizona.”
Sponsors of the awards were Arizona Central Credit Union, CRESA, Lovitt & Touche, McGladrey, Polsinelli, Stat Doctors and Merestone.
Here are the 2015 winners:
Commercial and Residential Real Estate Service Company of the Year:
Parker and Sons
Leadership: Paul E. Kelly, CEO; Erika Doyle, controller
Address: 3636 E. Anne St., Phoenix
Website: parkerandsons.com
What it does: Parker and Sons, celebrating its 40th year in business, is a leader in the HVAC and plumbing industry.
How it leads: At the heart of its success is Parker and Sons’ value system, which it calls its SPIRIT values — Service, Performance, Integrity, Respect, Innovation and Teamwork. The leaders of Parker and Sons say the company’s success is driven by team members who not only care, but care enough to do the right thing and go the extra mile.
Aerospace and Defense Company of the Year:
Robertson Fuel Systems, LLC
Leadership: Tom Harrison, CEO; Barry Sullivan, CFO
Address: 800 W. Carver Rd., Tempe
Website: robbietanks.com
What it does: Robertson Fuel Systems designs and manufactures crashworthy and ballistically self-sealing fuel systems for helicopters and ground combat vehicles for U.S. and international customers.
How it leads: Robertson is the acknowledged world leader in fuel containment and ballistic tolerance, having designed, manufactured, and fielded more than 4,500 crashworthy, ballistically self-sealing primary and auxiliary fuel systems for rotary and fixed winged aircraft and ground combat vehicles since 1976. Robertson systems self-seal against ballistic threats ranging from 7.62mm and .50 caliber Armor Piercing (AP) straight and tumbled projectiles to 23mm High Explosive Incendiary (HEI) and meet/exceed military crashworthy requirements.
Food and Beverage Company of the Year:
Sprouts Farmers Market
Leadership: Doug Sanders, CEO; Amin Maredia, CFO
Address: 11811 N. Tatum Blvd., #2400, Phoenix
Website: sprouts.com
What it does: Sprouts is a healthy grocery store committed to healthy living that offers fresh, natural and organic foods at great prices.
How it leads: Recently named one of the top five supermarket chains by Consumer Reports and headquartered in Phoenix, Sprouts employs more than 15,000 team members and operates more than 175 stores in 10 states. Central to Sprouts’ identity is a genuine commitment to responsible retailing, which includes constructing and operating its farmers markets in a way that reduces energy use.
Healthcare Support Services Company of the Year:
Avella Specialty Pharmacy
Leadership: Rebecca M. Shanahan, CEO; Prem Goyal, CFO
Address: 1606 W. Whispering Wind Dr., Phoenix
Website: avella.com
What it does: Avella is a national specialty pharmacy offering breakthrough medications, clinical excellence and support to individuals with complex healthcare issues.
How it leads: Avella offers more than just innovative specialty medications. Its clinicians and staff members provide guidance that helps individuals manage complex health conditions like cancer, hepatitis, HIV, infertility and others. Avella partners with prescribing physicians to serve as a valuable member of a patient’s healthcare team. Avella complements these efforts with the latest technology, including mobile health tools that offer convenience to its patients.
Software and Data Support Company of the Year:
InEight
Leadership: Bill Ponseti, CEO; Jason Trueblood, CFO
Address: 9977 N. 90th St., #200, Scottsdale
Website: ineight.com
What it does: InEight’s technology solutions help companies design, estimate, control and connect all aspects of their capital and maintenance projects, from the back office to the job site.
How it leads: In May 2014, the company introduced the InEight name which represents the vision to empower customers with an innate ability to more effectively manage their capital and maintenance projects from start to finish. More than 500 companies now use InEight products, including some of the largest companies in the engineering, construction and operations; mining; oil and gas; and utilities industries.
Innovator of the Year:
GPS Insight
Leadership: Robert Donat, CEO; Wayne Holder, CFO
Address: 19001 N. Scottsdale Rd., #400, Scottsdale
Website: gpsinisght.com
What it does: GPS Insight is a leading GPS tracking software provider for commercial and
government fleets.
How it leads: GPS Insight innovates most in its technology and is typically the first to bring new capabilities to the GPS tracking space. The way in which it innovates most, however, is by continuously working with customers and prospects to hear about what they require. By pairing its technology with user requirements, GPS Insight brings its product continuously to the next
level while satisfying existing and future customers.
Transformation Award:
Inventure Foods
Leadership: Terry McDaniel, CEO; Steve Weinberger, CFO
Address: 5415 E. High St., Phoenix
Website: inventurefoods.com
What it does: Inventure Foods is a sales and marketing company that focuses on healthy and natural snacks and frozen foods. Its brands include company-owned brands Boulder Canyon, Poore Brothers, Rader Farms, Fresh Frozen Foods andlicense brands including Jamba, Seattle’s Best Coffee, TGI Friday’s, Nathan’s Famous and Vidalia Brands snacks.
How it leads: As a smaller food company, Inventure’s ability to develop unique product concepts that are brought to the market quickly has enable it to compete against some of the industry giants.
Founder’s Award:
Sunstate Equipment
Leadership: Chris Watts, president and COO; Garth Price, CFO
Address: 5552 E. Washington St., Phoenix
Website: sunstateequip.com
What it does: Sunstate provides top quality rental equipment and tools to its customers so they can get the job done safely and efficiently.
How it leads: With the trend toward users outsourcing their construction equipment rentals, Sunstate has successfully navigated the changing face of the industry for more than 30 years. The company is defined by its core values: people, integrity, safety, challenge, empowerment, teamwork and fun. Sunstate’s leadership believes that if they take care of their employees, the employees will take care of their customers.
