42 local semifinalists ‘Made the Cut Above’ and received surprise award deliveries
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The Better Business Bureau Serving Southeast Texas launched its first-ever “Paint the Town Blue” rollout April 29, marking a historic rebranding as the long-standing Torch Awards evolve into the BBB Diamond Awards for Excellence.
The day kicked off with a brief 11 a.m. press conference at the BBB Southeast Texas office, 4335 Laurel Ave. in Beaumont. Immediately following the announcement of the semifinalists — who officially “made the cut above” — a fleet of BBB Champions caravanned out to surprise 42 local businesses across the region.
“As our Southeast Texas business community evolves, so must the way we recognize its leaders,” said Darren Erwin, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau. “We aren’t just changing a name; we are elevating the standard of ethical excellence to a ‘diamond’ level.”
Elton Hollis, BBB SETX Foundation chairman, revealed the 42 local businesses advancing toward the Diamond Awards. BBB Champions then departed in a caravan to deliver signs and award packages.
The semifinalists, each of whom received a distinctive blue yard sign, are:
• 409 Group LLC, Beaumont — Rick Edgeworth
• Accent Compliance LLC, Winnie — Jackie Padgett
• Achtwood Pools, Orange — Larry Tyson
• Advance Financial, Jasper — William Monroe III
• Marish Ozmun–AFLAC Insurance Agency, Beaumont — Marishka Ozmun
• Alpha Products LLC, Beaumont — Oscar and Mayra Torres
• Brentwood Country Club, Beaumont — Brent and Lisa Coon
• By You Advertising, Buna — Jill Wedekind
• By You Promos, Buna — Jill Wedekind
• CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System, Beaumont — Paul Trevino and Paul Koester
• Coastal Roofing Specialist Inc., Lumberton — Jerry Sonnier
• Common Cents Credit Union, Beaumont — Donnielle Goff
• Copper Bullet Lodge LLC, Buna — Herb Wedekind
• D&A Food Services LLC, Beaumont — Elzane Krasniqi
• Elsa’s Greek Restaurant, Beaumont — Elzane Krasniqi
• Del Papa Distributing Co., Beaumont — Jeff Wheeler
• Discount Appliance Repair, Orange — David Wagstaff
• DuGood Credit Union, Beaumont — Clint Wilson
• Eastex Lube, Port Neches — Tandi Waite
• Edward J. Tracy Jr., attorney at law, Newton — Edward Tracy
• Fontnette Tax & Financial Services, Beaumont — Lorann Fontnette
• G&G Enterprises, Beaumont — Natasha and Colin Garrett
• Howell Furniture, Beaumont — Shawn Atkins
• Innovative Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, Beaumont — Robert Currie
• Iron Gate Studios, Beaumont — Cathryn Green
• J&J Exterminating, Beaumont — Robert John
• Key Real Estate Properties LLC, Nederland — Keely Ritchey
• LaRu Agency LLC, Beaumont — James Moore
• McInnis Construction Inc., Silsbee — Ricky McInnis
• National Foundation Repair, Beaumont — Darren Duffy
• Noack Locksmith, Nederland — Denise Lachausse
• Pate Industrial & Technical Services and Pate Services, Beaumont — Robert Pate
• Bluegrass Inspections, Port Bolivar — Jerry and Cindy Hardisty
• Port Arthur Community Federal Credit Union, Port Arthur — Sabrina Miguez
• Porter Plumbing Solutions LLC, Humble — Donald Porter
• Pure Hydration Plus, Beaumont — Alyssa Davis
• Royalty Ranch & Real Estate LLC, Silsbee — Sissy McInnis
• SETX Roofing Pros LLC, Lumberton — Steven Pike
• Southeast Texas Trimlight LLC, Port Arthur — Damion Guidry
• Taco Mex Fire, Beaumont — Juan Yat
• Tower Medical Center, Nederland — Tristen Schulz
• H&H Architectural Solutions, Beaumont — Kyle Hughes
Selections were made from a variety of applications from the Southeast Texas business community by a volunteer panel of judges.
This is the first year the BBB has transitioned from the Torch Awards to the Diamond Awards, featuring new criteria and categories.
Also, the Southeast Texas Businessman and Businesswoman of the Year Awards will be presented to recognize outstanding local business leaders who demonstrate integrity, strong leadership, and a commitment to ethical business practices. The honors celebrate individuals who not only achieve professional success, but also positively impact their employees, customers, and the Southeast Texas community.
The Diamond Awards for Excellence is 6 p.m. Thursday, June 4, at the Beaumont Civic Center.
— Dannie Oliveaux, dannieoliveaux@theexaminer
