Seattle Business magazine honors family businesses at the 2012 Washington Family Business Awards

SEATTLE (November 30, 2012) – Seattle Business magazine honored the impact and legacy of Washington state’s top family-run companies at the 2012 Washington Family Business Awards Thursday evening at Bell Harbor International Conference Center. Campbell’s Resort on Lake Chelan, founded in 1901, received the Legacy Award, which honors a company that celebrates multiple generations of progressive family management. A dozen other firms from around the state were also honored for outstanding achievements in family business. The event received the generous support of presenting sponsor Cascadia Capital and signature sponsors Bader Martin, Chase Commercial Banking, and Perkins Coie LLP.

Keynote speaker Michael Garvey, founder and chairman of Seattle-based Saltchuk Resources, told the audience of 240 attendees that perpetuating family involvement in a closely held enterprise is a noble calling that is essential to maintaining a viable economy. He also offered his nine points of effective leadership, applicable in any setting but crucial, he believes, in family enterprise. They are:

1. Don't worry about being the smartest person in the room.

2. Don't worry about getting credit for good things that happen.

3. Take personal responsibility for the bad things that happen.

4. Operate your business on principles.

5. Treat everyone the same.

6. When you make a mistake, admit it and apologize.

7. Focus on the issues and on others and try to cultivate the trait of selflessness.

8. Hold yourself to high standards.

9. Don't beat yourself up when you don't measure up to your own standards. Just resolve to do better.

The 2012 Family Business Awards Recipients

Small Companies

Winner: Dynamic Language, Tukwila

Silver Award: Parfitt Way Management Corporation, Bainbridge Island

Silver Award: Westport Winery, Aberdeen

Midsize Companies

Winner: Cascade Gasket and Manufacturing Co., Kent

Silver Award: Canlis Restaurant, Seattle

Silver Award: The Woods Coffee, Lynden

Large Companies

Winner: Baker Boyer Bank, Walla Walla

Silver Award: Oak Harbor Freight, Auburn

Silver Award: Powell-Christensen Inc., Grandview

Community Award: Displaying a steadfast commitment to giving back

Winner: Grounds for Change, Poulsbo

Transitions Award: Exercising a clear vision for family succession

Winner: Dishman Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, Spokane Valley

Best Practices Award: Perpetuating family governance

Winner: AAOA Healthcare, Kirkland

Legacy Award: Celebrating multiple generations of progressive management

Winner: Campbell’s Resort on Lake Chelan, Chelan

2012 Washington Family Business Awards judging panel:

Clarence Barnes, Dean, School of Business Administration | Gonzaga University

Dori Brewer, Partner | Perkins Coie LLP

Steve Brilling, Family Business Director, Albers School of Business 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 | Pacific Family Business Institute

Complete coverage of the 2012 Washington Family Business Awards is featured in the December issue of Seattle Business magazine and at seattlebusinessmag.com.

ABOUT SEATTLE BUSINESS: Seattle Business is a monthly magazine read by thousands of business executives across the state. Annual events tied to its editorial coverage include the Executive Excellence Awards, Leaders in Health Care, the Washington Manufacturing Awards, Washington’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, the Green Washington Awards, Tech Impact Awards and Washington's Family Business Awards. Seattle Business is owned by Minneapolis-based Tiger Oak Publications, which also publishes Seattle magazine, Seattle Bride magazine and more than 20 other leading regional publications.

###