Nominations Sought For Florida Family Business Awards

More than 240 business and community leaders from around the state attended last year’s event, at which Creative Recycling and the McNichols Company from Tampa, Quality Plywood from Clearwater, the Scott McRae Automotive Group from Jacksonville, Certified Slings from Casselberry (near Orlando), and the Staff Restaurant from Ft. Walton Beach received recognition as winners, and several businesses from elsewhere in the Sunshine State were acknowledged as finalists.

Anyone wishing to nominate a business may use the online form at www.ut.edu/academics/business/fbf.html, or request a nomination form from Wendy Plant, center coordinator for the College of Business, at (813) 253-6221, x3782, (813) 258-7236 (fax) or wplant@ut.edu (e-mail).

“Family business continues to be the solid foundation for the Florida and U.S. economies,” said Joe McCann, dean of UT’s Sykes College of Business. “While other economic sectors suffer, family owned and controlled businesses are healthy and growing. This program is dedicated to making sure that growth continues.”

Criteria include, among others, the innovation of the business’s strategies and practices, expression of positive family values in the business and the quality of the link between the family and the business, contributions to the community, and overall growth and viability.

Five categories are awarded: large (more than 250 employees), medium (50-250 employees), small (fewer than 50 employees), heritage (more than 50 years) and new (less than 10 years). A community service award also is presented, and may be awarded to a nominee from any category.

Nominations for this year’s award must be received by Friday, Feb. 13. Winners will be awarded at a half-day program on Friday, May 14.

 Nominations remain active for three years. All family businesses headquartered in Florida are eligible, and self-nominations are encouraged.

For more information, contact the Office of Public Information at publicinfo@ut.edu.