Family Business
Family Style: Washington Family Business Awards 2012
By Lisa Wogan November 8, 2012
This article originally appeared in the December 2012 issue of Seattle magazine.
This is the third year for Seattle Business magazines Washington Family Business Awards. And if ever a time seemed apt to call out the contributions of the family-owned business, it is now. As the economy slowly awakens from its prolonged nap, family-owned businesses are leading the way. Whether by virtue of committed owners whose shareholders are truly their closest relatives, or long-term strategies that ensure the survival of a company even in hard times, the best family businesses got through the downturn in relatively good shape because to do otherwise was simply not an option. Their owners and stakeholders knew that words like trust, consistency and stewardship are not marketing buzzwords. They are promises that must be kept. Between 60 and 70 percent of all businesses in the United States are family owned. They create employment. They create wealth. They create community. On the pages that follow, we celebrate some of the best.
Legacy Winner: Campbell’s Resort on Lake Chelan
Transitions Winner: Dishman Dodge Ram Chrysler
Best Practices Winner: AAOA Healthcare
Community Winner: Grounds for Change
LARGE FIRMS
Gold Winner: Baker Boyer Bank
Silver Winner: Powell-Christensen Inc.
Silver Winner: Oak Harbor Freight
MIDSIZE FIRMS
Gold Winner: Cascade Gasket and Manufacturing Company
Silver Winner: Canlis Restaurant
Silver Winner: The Woods Coffee
SMALL FIRMS
Gold Winner: Dynamic Language
Silver Winner: Parfitt Way
Silver Winner: Westport Winery
2012 WASHINGTON FAMILY BUSINESS AWARDS JUDGES
Clarence Barnes, Dean School of Business Administration, Gonzaga University
Dori Brewer, Partner Perkins Coie
Steve Brilling, Family Business Director Albers School of Busines and Economics, Seattle University
Ron Dohr, President Dohr Family Business Consulting
Craig Nelson, President Washington Employers
Catherine Pratt, Director Family Enterprise Institute, Pacific Lutheran University
Christian Schiller, Managing Director Cascadia Capital
Rich Simmonds, Managing Partner Simmonds Associates