Vermont Business Magazine The Grossman School of Business at the University of Vermont honored three family businesses for excellence in the areas of entrepreneurship, and innovation at the UVM Family Business Awards on October 13 in Billings Library. As recognition that family businesses are a major driver in the world economy has increased, the UVM Grossman School of Business recognizes every year those alumni and Vermont based businesses that have achieved lasting success, and demonstrated a commitment to creating sustainable business through leadership and vision.
This year’s honorees, recognized for their ability to overcome challenging succession issues and for contributions to community and industry, included a health and wellness company, a newspaper and market research organization.
Dr. Pramodita Sharma, the Daniel Clark Sanders Chair & Professor of Family Business at the Grossman School of Business, told the assembled crowd “Each of our winners has demonstrated a commitment to creating sustainable business through leadership and innovation.”
Since 2013, the UVMs Family Business Awards awards have recognized 17 family enterprises and together these remarkable companies have:
- Been in existence for 835 years with the current families
- Provide employment to over 7,500 individuals
- Report combined annual sales of over $500 million
A six-person judging panel, composed of past winners, alumni, and local business owners, selected Vermont-based businesses or out-of-state businesses run by UVMs alumni based on the following criteria: financial success; governance structures; contributions to the community and industry; and innovative business practices or strategies.
1st Generation Family Enterprise Award
The RehabGYM is a leader in the professions of both physical therapy and athletic training. “RehabGYM” is one word as the business is one space, rehab and proactive care merged together. Their innovative approach to health and fitness applies evidence-based knowledge to proactive care as well as rehabilitation and focuses on treating the whole body rather than just an injured body part.
Multi-Generational Global Family Enterprise Award
Schlesinger Associates is a marketing research company, specializing in data collection. They provide answers to brands’ important questions about their customers and potential customers, which in turn, drive the best decisions for success in the marketplace.
Vermont Legacy Family Enterprise Award
The Addison Independent (AI) was founded in 1946 with the closing of the Middlebury Register. The AI has always been a family-owned independent newspaper. Its’ aim is to tell readers about their friends and neighbors and about events in local government, schools, sports and business that affect how readers live. The AI also provides readers everything they need to know about local entertainment and events.
Source: UVM