On April 16, 2009, hundreds of individuals and local businesses gathered together the Downtown Des Moines Marriott to celebrate the heart of the BBB mission: To promote ethical and honest business practices in the community and in our lives.
At the luncheon, five local businesses and five students were honored with the prestigious Integrity Award based on their exemplary roles within our community. The business Integrity Award winners are selected in four categories:
The Awards are given to businesses that display the highest level of commitment to integrity. Businesses are judged according to specific guidelines, including:
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Behavior toward customers, vendors, suppliers, users, shareholders, employees and their communities.
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Long standing positive reputation and a satisfactory Reliability Report from the BBB.
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Marketing, advertising and communication practices that adhere to and exceed the “truth in advertising” principles, which the BBB wrote nearly 100 years ago.
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Ethics policies and training programs.
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Recommendations from industry peers, and civic and business leaders in their communities.
2009 Business Integrity Award Winners
BCC Advisers (under 15 employees)
BCC Advisers is an independent financial and management advisory firm specializing in merger & acquisition consulting, corporate finance, business valuation and litigation support. Since 1988 they have provided their consultation services to hundreds of companies both in the Midwest and around the globe. Led by President, Steve Jacobs, the company has steadily built a solid industry reputation based on their expertise, professionalism and personalized assistance. Because they hold no financial interests in the businesses they appraise, BCC Advisers is able to offer fair and independent appraisals and opinions about the value of a business and/or its assets.
Schaal Heating & Cooling (15 to 75 employees)
Schaal Heating & Cooling has been proudly taking care of central Iowa’s comfort needs for over 60 years. The company was founded in 1947 by Delmar Schaal. In 1980 it was bought by Wendell Fouche. When Wendell retired in 1997, his son, Roger Fouche became President and presides over the company today. Throughout the years, Shaal Heating & Cooling has steadily built a solid reputation base on principles of honesty, integrity and professionalism. In the last three years they have performed over 26,000 service calls and 1,500 installations with very few complaints. 100% customer satisfaction is Shaal Heating and Cooling’s number one goal. They do this not only by providing the highest quality service and equipment available in the industry, but also by providing a personalized and friendly touch in all that they do.
West Bank (75 to 250 employees)
For the past 116 years, part of West Bank’s mission is to build long term customer relationships and to provide mutual benefits for both shareholders and customers. As a community bank, West Bank places a high priority on bettering community in which they work and live. Every year they receive numerous requests for funding of various community projects. West Bank makes financial investments in the community through donations from the bank and through grants from the West Bancorporation Foundation. The Bancorporation Foundation simply referred to as "The Foundation," was established in 2004 and since then they have contributed over one million dollars to Des Moines and Iowa City communities.
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield (over 250)
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, along with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, insure or pay health benefit claims for over two million members in Iowa and South Dakota alone, and as an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Wellmark is a part of a national network of 39 plans that insures nearly 100 million people. For over 70 years, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s plans, programs and services focus on sound business practices and total quality management. Their commitment to the community is evidenced by the numerous organizations and non-profit agencies that they so generously help support. In 2008 alone, Wellmark contributed nearly 3.8 million dollars to various health and wellness causes, human service projects and cultural programs.
Goodwill Industries (Not-for-profit)
Any organization whose vision is: "Bringing out the best in people" is truly a deserving recipient of the Integrity award. This simple yet profoundly selfless vision is at the heart of the everyday actions and deeds carried out by Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa. Through their training, education, and employment programs Goodwill Industries gives people the necessary skills to put them back to work and allow them to gain or reclaim their independence. It doesn’t matter what one’s barrier to independence might be. Whether it is a person with disabilities or someone who is a recovering substance abuser, a homeless person, or an at risk youth, Goodwill Industries is dedicated to bringing out the best in people. From resume writing and interviewing skills to "on campus" or "sheltered" work environments, they offer a wide spectrum of client services based on an individual’s specific needs.
2009 Student of Integrity Award Winners
Melanie Adrian- Cedar Falls High School in Cedar Falls, IA
Kathleen Arnts- Alta High School in Alta, IA
Rachel Herr- Nodaway Valley High School in Greenfield, IA
Kayla Hovland- North Iowa High School in Buffalo Center, IA
Christopher Meyer- Creston High School in Creston, IA