Business leaders gathered on Business Ethics Awareness Day in Minnesota to honor four companies with the 15th annual Minnesota Business Ethics Award (MBEA). The recipients of the award included:
- Small Company Category: Spanlink Communications Group, Minneapolis, MN
- Mid-Sized Company Category: Doherty Employment Group, Edina, MN
- Large Company Category(two firms honored this year): Marvin Windows and Doors, Warroad, MN and Restaurant Technologies, St. Paul, MN
Each MBEA recipient received a crystal award along with a congratulatory letter from Gov. Mark Dayton. Dayton also declared Wednesday, May 14, 2014 Business Ethics Awareness Day in the state of Minnesota.
“Minnesota is fortunate to enjoy a strong reputation for ethical business, and this award acknowledges this,” says Dyanne Ross-Hanson, president of Exit Planning Strategies, LLC and MBEA co-chair.
“Building a reputation for high ethical standards in business doesn’t happen overnight,” says David Rodbourne, MBEA co-chair. “Understanding there is no quick fix, organizations must earn reputations day after day.”
The finalists for the MBEA were lauded for their commitment to ethics in business. They included: Irish Titan, Edina, MN, Western Bank, St. Paul, MN Bay West LLC, St. Paul, MN, North Star Resource Group, Minneapolis, MN and Alexandria Industries, Alexandria, MN. All were recognized as outstanding Minnesota businesses.
The award luncheon keynote was Mary Brainerd, President and CEO of HealthPartners, one of Minnesota’s most respected leaders. In honor of the 15th year of the award, the ceremony at the Nicollet Island Pavilion included a special tribute to past recipients and finalists.
The MBEA was founded by the Society of Financial Service Professionals – Twin Cities Chapter and the Center for Ethical Business Cultures (CEBC) at the University of St. Thomas, Opus College of Business. Joining these two organizations as a sponsor is the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) – Minnesota. The MBEA recognizes Minnesota businesses that exemplify and promote ethical conduct in the workplace, the marketplace and the community. More information about the MBEA can be found at www.mnethicsaward.org.
