Better Business Bureau Honors Companies for Integrity
Four Organizations Take Home Honors

The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) announced the recipients of the 2007 BBB Integrity Awards at a ceremony held at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis on Tuesday evening (October 23rd). Kim Jeffries, long time Twin City radio host, was emcee of the event.

The BBB Integrity Awards are presented to businesses in Minnesota and North Dakota that have demonstrated a solid commitment to conducting their business practices in an ethical manner. Companies must show integrity in how they treat their customers, employees, and vendors. Winners are chosen by an independent panel of judges.

"These companies show that ethics and integrity are core values of their organizations," said Bert Hubbell, president and CEO of the BBB. " They join an elite group of businesses that understand that dealing fairly and honestly with employees, customers, and vendors is important not only to their profitability, but to the marketplace as a whole."

The 2007 Integrity Award winners are:

• Category I (1 to 10 employees): Brinkman Russell, Inc, Oakdale, MN. Brinkman Russell is a full-service residential remodeling firm built on an unwavering commitment to complete customer satisfaction.
• Category II (11 to 99 employees): Financial Concepts, Plymouth, MN. Financial Concepts is an independent consulting firm dedicated to assist in management of customized strategies for group & executive benefits, retirement plans, and wealth management.
• Category II (11 to 99 employees): Valley Pools & Spas, Burnsville, MN. Valley Pools & Spas, family owned and operated since 1974, is a full-service swimming pool, spa, and sauna business.
• Category III (100 + employees): Becker Furniture World, Becker, MN. Becker Furniture World is a complete home shopping destination featuring furniture, accessories, flooring, lighting, electronics, cabinetry, countertops, appliances, fireplaces, fixtures, pools, spas and more.

Businesses that were chosen as finalists were: EDS Builders, Inc; Quality Coaches; Bonfe's Plumbing, Heating & Air Service, Inc; and Complete Basement Systems.

"The BBB Integrity Awards program highlights the importance of corporate conscience and responsibility in fulfilling a company's obligation to the marketplace to do what is right and fair," said Sarah Hilliker, Director of Member Services and coordinator of the Integrity Awards. "These organizations demonstrate to the business community that adhering to BBB ethical standards is the hallmark of successful, competitive companies."

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2008 BBB Integrity Awards and can be made by customers, vendors, or even the company itself. To nominate a company for the 2008 Integrity Awards, click here.

This year, the BBB added another dimension to the awards ceremony by naming six teens as "Students of Integrity." "This was our first year offering scholarships to high school seniors from Minnesota and North Dakota," said Barb Grieman, vice president of the BBB and coordinator of the Student of Integrity Scholarship Program. "Students were asked to write essays to demonstrate their understanding of the importance for integrity and ethics in their lives." Judges based their decisions on the students' commitment to ethics and integrity and less on grade point average. A silent auction was held at the Integrity Award event to support the scholarships. Winners are:

• Emily Hanson, Waseca High School - $5,000
• Josh Lancette, New Life Academy, Oakdale - $1,000
• James McKeown, Bemidji High School - $1,000
• Elizabeth Steele, Mounds View High School, Arden Hills - $1,000
• Michael Steele, Mounds View High School, Arden Hills - $1,000
• Alex Willoughby, Hettinger Public High School, Hettinger, ND - $1,000