Seattle Business announces finalists for 2011 Washington Family Business Awards

Seattle Business magazine has announced the finalists for its 2011 Washington Family Business Awards. The finalists were drawn from a statewide pool of nominees that included enterprises in such diverse industry sectors as farming, retail, manufacturing and real estate.

The goal of the Family Business Awards is to honor family-owned businesses in Washington that are playing an important role in our economy by creating jobs, generating wealth and building community. The winners will be announced at the 2011 Family Business Awards banquet November 3, 2011, at the Columbia Tower Club. Keynoting the event will be Rene Ancinas, CEO of Port Blakely Companies.

The finalists for 2011 are:

The Bartell Drug Company of Seattle, the oldest drugstore chain in the nation, having prospered for 121 years by offering locally made products, engaging its customers and aligning business practices to family values.

Dicks Drive-in Restaurants, a Seattle-based chain of six fast food restaurants known for its great burgers and shakes and for the good wages and benefits it offers its employees.

Dix Corporation, a Spokane-based steel construction and rigging company that has handled diverse projects ranging from a floating golf green for the Coeur dAlene Resort to vessels for the U.S. Navy.

Hillcrest Bakery, a Bothell-based bakery whose trade secrets date back to a family bakery in Wormer, Holland, in the 1830s and which is now staffed by three generations of employees.

Hotstart Inc., a 69-year-old Spokane-based manufacturer of pre-heaters that improve the reliability of machinery such as generators, locomotives and ships.

MacKay Manufacturing, a second-generation Spokane manufacturer of medical devices that invests heavily in the well being of its 113 employees while sponsoring numerous community events.

Mercer Canyons, a Prosser-based grower of farm crops and owner of vineyards with 125-year-old history of focusing on wildlife enhancement and sustainable farming.

Metals Fabrication Co., a structural steel fabricator in Airway Heights that has invested to keep its manufacturing plant efficient while keeping its workforce intact during the recent downturn.

Nelson Legacy Group, a Redmond-based developer of commercial property that has a strategic plan and family code to ensure that the enterprise survives as a legacy family business.

Rainier Connect, a fifth-generation telephone company that provides comprehensive internet, cable and phone service in markets that include Tacoma, Chehalis and Centralia.

Skis Painting, a Kent-based, commercial painting company that has transitioned to second-generation family ownership and is now bringing the third generation into the business.

Sprague Pest Solutions, a third-generation family business that operates in eight Western states and continues to expand even as it works on developing a succession plan.

Stemilt Growers, a Wenatchee-based packer and farmer of apples, cherries and other fruit that dates back to 1893 and has emerged as a leader in sustainable agriculture.

Wallace Properties, a full-service commercial real estate enterprise that has given generously to charitable endeavors while also contributing to various regional development projects.

Finalists and winners were chosen by these judges: Clarence Barnes, dean, Gonzaga University School of Business Administration; Steve Brilling, executive director, Seattle University Entrepreneurship Center; Dan Gaffney, partner, Moss Adams; Bill Pettit, president, Merrill Gardens; Christian Schiller, managing director, Cascadia Capital; Rich Simmonds, managing principal, Simmonds Associates; and James Warjone, former CEO, Port Blakely Companies.