Rebecca Harpster
Golden Gate Better Business Bureau
Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern coastal California recently recognized three exemplary local businesses through the Torch Awards for Ethics competition.
The Torch Awards were created to honor businesses that demonstrate their commitment to trust and marketplace ethics, and the award embodies BBB’s mission to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. The Torch Awards illustrate the importance of trust and integrity, and the award is presented to businesses that strive to go above and beyond in their dealings with customers, employees, vendors and the community. BBB received dozens of entries from across the Bay Area and Northern California coast and from various industries.
BBB proudly announced the winners of the regional 2017 Torch Awards for Ethics on May 1. They include:
- Category I (1-10 Employees): The Kastrop Group
- Category II (11-49 Employees): Wedge Roofing
- Category III (50-99 Employees): Escrow.com
“Torch Awards winners demonstrate the highest ethical standards of trust toward customers, employees and the communities in which they do business,” said Lori Wilson, President and CEO of BBB serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California. “We are proud to present this prestigious award to these deserving businesses.”
Each business went through a meticulous application process to illustrate its commitment to ethics and community leadership. They were judged by an independent panel of judges; including local business leaders, university professors, authors and politicians. Judging criteria included leadership commitment to ethical practices, communication, performance management practices, human resource practices and commitment to the community.
Winners of the 2017 Torch Awards are now qualified to enter the 2017 International Torch Awards for Ethics. Presented annually since 1996, the International Torch Awards for Ethics honors companies who demonstrate best practices in leadership character and high standards of organizational ethics that benefits their customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and communities. To enter the International Torch Awards for Ethics, a business must first be a winner of their local BBB award program.
The 2017 awards are over, but it’s never too early to start thinking about 2018! You can learn more about the Torch Awards and the 2017 winners at go.bbb.org/sf-torchawards. You’ll be able to nominate businesses and apply in the beginning of 2018.
You can reach your BBB at info@bbbemail.org or (510) 844-2000, or by visiting goldengate.bbb.org.
