BEA winners from 2001 through 2006

The following companies and individuals were the PBN’s Business Excellence Award honorees in the first six years of the BEA program. The descriptions that follow date back to the time of the original awards.

Business Leadership: John C. Warren, chairman and CEO, The Washington Trust Co.

When John C. Warren joined The Washington Trust Co. in 1996, as president and chief operating officer, it was a small regional bank with a half-dozen branches in the South County region and about $550 million in assets. Within a decade, it grew to 16 branches, $2.4 billion in assets and a staff of nearly 500. In addition, the bank has gained acclaim for its employment policies and for its community outreach, which includes extensive volunteerism.

Business Excellence (over 100 employees): Bryant University

Bryant University was established in 1863 to provide business training for soldiers returning from the Civil War, and throughout its history, it has adapted to the needs of the marketplace. In recent years, however, Bryant has taken particularly great strides, implementing state-of-the-art technology, developing strong international programs, and building strong ties to the local business community.

Business Excellence (under 100 employees): Lighthouse Computer Services Inc.

Tom Mrva, president of Lighthouse Computer Services Inc., says the secret to the company’s success is that it truly listens to its customers, it embraces even the toughest IT challenges, and it hires top-notch, experienced people. Combine that with a smart strategy – to shift its focus from selling software and hardware, to providing IT services – and you’ve got a recipe for rapid and sustainable growth.

Entrepreneur: Andy Tolley, founder, American Ecotech

Andy Tolley got the idea to start American Ecotech after an anthrax scare in 2002. Earlier in his career, he had worked for Ecotech, an Australian manufacturer of air and water pollution measuring equipment, and he saw an opportunity to bring those products to the U.S. market. Within four years, sales boomed from $8,000 to $1.5 million, fueled by contracts with government agencies, labs, universities, large companies and more.

Community Involvement: Advanced Financial Services Inc.

In the summer of 2000, Advanced Financial Services Inc. replaced its annual picnic with a day of volunteering; the entire staff did maintenance work at a camp run by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County. It was the beginning of a new tradition that has benefited several local nonprofits, and part of a larger culture of giving that also includes substantial cash donations – more than $4 million in a single year from the company and employees.

Excellence in a Nonprofit Organization: Crossroads Rhode Island

For people who have no place to go but up, Crossroads Rhode Island provides a way. The nonprofit not only provides shelter, food, clothing and a place to shower for hundreds of homeless people every day – it also offers job training and adult education, free dental services and health care referrals, and a wide range of social services. In addition, it works to raise awareness of the causes of homelessness and advocates for the most vulnerable.

Business Leadership: James Purcell, president and CEO, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

Jim Purcell had quite a task ahead of him when he was chosen to head Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. His unflagging efforts to restore the state’s largest health insurance company to its proper place as a corporate and civic leader made him the winner of this award.

Business Excellence (over 100 employees): Blackstone Valley Security

BVS, with offices in Boston and Rhode Island, is a leader in security services. With over 400 employees and strong sales in the health care industry, high-rise security and investigative services, BVS adds to the local economy in many ways.

Business Excellence (under 100 employees): Northeast Engineers and Consultants

The ability to anticipate and meet the needs of the market has driven Northeast Engineers and Consultants to a period of rapid growth. A subsidiary, Secure Global Engineering, opened an office in Baghdad in 2004. NE&C is a New England company above all else and continues to serve the area in a competitive stance.

Entrepreneur: Enviro-Clean Inc.

It’s all about mold. Enviro-Clean has developed new technologies that innovate for its entire industry. The company has saved area homeowners and business people over $3 million in 2004 alone. Seen as an expert in his field, Eric Anderson lectures widely and has written articles to dispel misconceptions about mold problems.

Community Involvement: Bank Rhode Island

BankRI’s commitment to strengthening the social fabric is rooted in a conviction that community-building is not just a moral endeavor, but also a sound business strategy. Through contributions to arts organizations, help for the homeless and otherwise involvement by executives and other employees, BankRI has helped make Rhode Island a better place.

Excellence in a Nonprofit Organization: Family Service of Rhode Island

It is not easy to pinpoint one program offered by Family Service of Rhode Island – a supercenter of human services for people in need. The agency’s mission is “to respond creatively to the unmet needs of individuals, families and the community by building partnerships that help people help themselves.”

Business Leadership: John Bowen, president, Johnson & Wales University

Johnson & Wales and its six campuses have about 16,000 students and offer more than 40 undergraduate and graduate degrees. Unique features include a four-day class week, the opportunity to earn two degrees (associate and baccalaureate) in four years and hands-on training around the world. A 32-year veteran of the school, Bowen became the university’s fourth president last year and has recently helped lead the school’s growth.

Business Excellence (over 100 employees): Gem Plumbing & Heating

Since 1949, Gem Plumbing has been a family-owned business. It has grown from one employee to more than 300 and handles more than 100 service calls a day. Gem continually strives to provide the best in customer service coupled with knowledgeable plumbers and service technicians.

Business Excellence (under 100 employees): Newport Collaborative Architects

Since it spun off in October 1998 from Smithfield-based contractor F.H. French Co., French Design Builders has completed dozens of commercial and industrial projects – everything from small add-ons to a huge industrial building and distribution center in Cumberland. The company’s co-founders are Rick Hall and Jim Vaughn.

Greatest Place to Work: Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island

Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island is one of the nation’s leading specialty hospitals for women and newborns. The primary teaching affiliate of Brown Medical School for obstetrics, gynecology and newborn pediatrics, Women & Infants performs more than 9,700 deliveries per year.

Community Involvement: Koch Eye Associates

Koch Eye Associates started as a small company in 1981 and has grown to more than 20 doctors and more than 130 employees, in nine locations. They perform myriad procedures including cataract operations, glaucoma and refractive laser surgery and cosmetic eye operations.

Entrepreneur/Innovation: Cool Polymers

Cool Polymers is a Warwick-based company that develops thermally conductive plastics. In its relatively short existence, Cool Polymers has found immediate success with heat-conductive plastics and has worked on some high-profile projects including work with Apple and its PowerBook line of notebooks.

Business Leadership: Merrill Sherman, president and CEO, Bank Rhode Island

Merrill Sherman has guided BankRI to a position of strength in the banking community in Rhode Island. Through her leadership the bank has become the fifth largest bank in the state. The customer service orientation and insistence on hiring experienced lenders has established BankRI as a valuable resource to the customers and a powerful community partner.

Business Excellence (over 100 employees): GTECH Corp.

Founded in 1981, GTECH Corp. is a publicly traded company and conducts business in more than 40 countries. More than 900 people are employed at the company’s Rhode Island headquarters making GTECH one of the state’s largest employers. Through innovation, strategic planning and sound business acumen, GTECH has become a highly respected Rhode Island business institution.

Business Excellence (under 100 employees): Pot Au Feu

In 1972 when Pot au Feu restaurant was founded, Providence was a graveyard and many people had given up on the idea that it could be revived. Thirty-two years later the renaissance is flourishing and Pot au Feu remains an integral part of the community. The restaurant business is notoriously difficult. With a dedication to training, quality control and an assurance of guest satisfaction Pot au Feu has become a shining example of success.

Greatest Place to Work: The Washington Trust Co.

The Washington Trust Co. was our only two-time winner in the first four years of the Business Excellence Awards. This accomplishment only hints at their service to the area. The Community Involvement and Greatest Place to Work awards are always the most contested and Washington Trust demonstrated true business excellence in both. Ask anyone who works there, is a customer or has benefited from their community service.

Community Involvement: Partridge Snow and Hahn LLP, Counselors at Law

While the primary beneficiary of the efforts of the firm’s PS&H Philanthropic Program is Children’s Friend and Services, many other not-for-profits also benefit. The program was launched as a firm-wide initiative to encourage employees to volunteer. The model structure consists of three elements, sponsoring a CFS family for the year, support for the totality of CFS programs and Pro Bono legal services for the agency. The entire staff of Partridge Snow and Hahn has successfully participated in these efforts.

Entrepreneur/Innovation: R.I.-Vineyard Fast Ferry

For a young, entrepreneurial company, the Fast Ferry has made substantial waves in their field. They provide high-speed ferry service from Quonset Point, RI to Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard that only takes 90 minutes. Four hundred passengers can be accommodated in luxury aboard their high-speed catamaran The Millennium. Operating seasonally from May through October, plans are in the works for year-round service.

Business Leadership: Helmut Thielsch, Thielsch Engineering

With the late Helmut Thielsch at the helm, Thielsch Engineering posted sales of $50 million in 2002 and employed 200 people. The company consists of four groups: the professional engineering group, the testing services group, water management groups and the energy group.

Business Excellence (over 100 employees): FM Global

FM Global, a policyholder-owned commercial and industrial property insurer, has an international reputation. The company’s roots go back more than 167 years. Many of the company’s clients are Fortune 1,000 companies. The company has 4,000 employees worldwide, with more than 600 in Rhode Island.

Business Excellence (under 100 employees): Watch Hill Partners

The Providence-based company is a consulting firm with a focus on program management, office and network and application infrastructure that offers customer relationship management services. At the helm is president and CEO Brad Waugh, a former executive vice president of c.w. Costello and Associates Inc.

Community Involvement: Hasbro Inc.

Community involvement has been paramount to the Pawtucket-based toy manufacturer. The company has two grant-making arms: The Hasbro Charitable Trust and the Hasbro Children’s Foundation. One of the company’s biggest community service projects locally was the Boundless Playground at Roger Williams Park, which 400 Hasbro volunteers helped build.

Greatest Place to Work: South County Nursing and Subacute Center

South County Nursing and Subacute Center has found success by retaining a full complement of staff in a profession with high turnover. A pleasant atmosphere and a team of people dedicated to helping their clients is a key to making the center a great place to work, administrators say.

Business Leadership: Cheryl Merchant, president and CEO, Hope Global

Employment and Training: Hope Global

One of the first things Cheryl Merchant did on taking over the company nearly four years ago was to take the traditional textile manufacturer – and its 500 workers – on to the high-tech superhighway. The company has invested heavily in technology upgrades and worker training.

Business Excellence: Taco Inc.

The 82-year-old Cranston company manufactures pumps, valves and control equipment for heating and air-conditioning systems. Over the last decade, the company has seen a 14 percent hike in revenues. Taco employs 200 workers, and boasts a turnover rate of less than half a percentage point.

Community Involvement: The Washington Trust Co.

The Washington Trust Co., founded in 1800, is a state-chartered bank with branches in Rhode Island and Connecticut. The company is active in community activities. It encourages nearly all of its 400 employees to help out in their communities through a series of incentives.

Innovation: Heartlab Inc.

The Westerly-based maker of cardiovascular information management systems was ranked 145 on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies. The company was started by Robert Petrocelli and Jonathon Elion. Originally located in Providence, the company moved to Westerly to bring it closer to New York and New Jersey markets.

Emerging Entrepreneur: French Design Builders, Inc.

Since it spun off in October 1998 from Smithfield-based contractor F.H. French Co., French Design Builders has completed dozens of commercial and industrial projects – everything from small add-ons to a huge industrial building and distribution center in Cumberland. The company’s co-founders are Rick Hall and Jim Vaughn. •