Thirty-three Ouachita Parish businesses have been nominated for the 2013 Thomas H. Scott Awards of Excellence. The nominations honor companies making significant contributions to the Ouachita Parish economy through capital improvements, expansion, job creation, and community involvement during 2012/2013. This year’s nominees have created or retained more than 726 jobs in Ouachita Parish and made capital investments totaling $47.7 million.
The fifteen finalists in the small business (less than 10 employees) category are: Arrive In Style, LLC; Aspirations Salon and Spa, LLC; Avocado’s, LLC; Bob Moss Carpet One; Chef Pat Nolan Catering; Direnzic Technologies & Cybersecurity, LLC; FatCat Burgers; Fay’s Fat Burger & Grill; Fontana Lawn and Garden Service, LLC; Hamilton House Inn; i Encourage Fitness, LLC; Mikado Asian Fusion; Ready 2 Excel DBA Club Z! In-Home Tutoring; The UPS Store and; Wellness Initiative, LLC.
The nine finalists in the medium business (between 11-50 employees) category are: Diversity One Staffing; Helping Hands Pediatric Care; IBM; Kilpatrick Funeral Home; Liberty Healthcare Systems IOP; Rain The Salon and Day Spa; St. John Pharmacy; The Mulhearn Corporation LLC and; Trio’s.
In the large company (51-100 employees) category, the four nominees are: Centric Federal Credit Union; Coast Professional, Inc.; Dick’s Sporting Goods and; River and Rail Cantina, LLC.
The five nominees for the Corporate category (over 100 employees) are: Glenwood Regional Medical Center; InterMountain Management, LLC; Joe Gear Companies; St. Francis Medical Group and; The Guest House.
A reception will be held Thursday, May 30th at 6:00 p.m. at the ULM Conference Center to honor each nominee and recognize their accomplishments during 2012.
The highlight of the reception will be the presentation of the Thomas H. Scott Awards of Excellence to one winner in each of the four business categories. In addition, special Judge’s awards will also be presented. Tickets for the event are $30 per person. For more information or to register for the event, call Ruthie Wheatley at 807-4004.
The Thomas H. Scott Awards of Excellence Reception is hosted by the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s College of Business and The News Star. Sponsors for the reception are: Allen, Green and Williamson, Atmos, ANGUS, Brookshire’s, Progressive Bank, P & S Surgical Hospital, IberiaBank, Strauss Interests, The City of Monroe, Opus Broadcasting, KTVE10, The Radio People, DeltaStyle, and Patty Stewart Photography.