Business and Industry | Community | Featured | NewsOctober 25, 2024

Winners Announced at Inaugural UAFS Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards

Written By: Ian Silvester

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Center for Economic Development recognized 13 winners at Thursday’s inaugural Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards at The Bakery District.

A committee of local leaders had the task of picking the celebrated businesses from more than 90 company nominations from across the region. Kendall Ross, associate vice chancellor for workforce & economic development, emceed the event and said the awards “celebrate the accomplishments and resiliency of both family-owned and small businesses.”

Willie Robertson, star of A&E’s “Duck Dynasty,” keynoted the awards. Robertson, CEO of Duck Commander and founder of Buck Commander, spoke about his family’s business, which grew from humble beginnings into a multi-million dollar empire.

Robertson noted that his family and faith are behind his personal and family business achievements. Everyone has a role in the business, and they oversee continued, long-term success.

“Sometimes you have a diamond in your company, but they are in the wrong spot. The goal is to maximize all skills, no matter the size of your business,” Robertson said.

Bill Hanna of Hanna Oil & Gas was awarded the Legacy Champion Award, which recognized his leadership, the standards of excellence he upheld after his father, Jim, passed the business to him, and what Hanna is doing for his sons.

“Without a shared dream by each generation to keep a business going, it won’t,” Hanna said after winning his award. “(The ceremony) is a good representation of why family-owned and small businesses are important. It’s a love of family and a love of being productive.”

Thursday’s inaugural awards also honored the 20^th anniversary of the Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Center. The center provides resources, peer networking, and relevant programming to families in business. It began as an idea to help multi-generational businesses thrive into future generations. Thursday’s event was a culmination of seeing it all come together.

The winners and a description of their awards are below:

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Small Business Awards:

• Technology and Innovation Business Award: SmartDraft, Inc.
  • A small business that demonstrated innovation in its products, services, or processes while achieving substantial growth in operations.
• Hispanic-Owned Business Award: Elmer’s Chem Dry
  • A small business that has achieved success and growth within the Hispanic community and promotes cultural diversity and inclusion.
• Women-Owned Business Award: Bookish: An Indie Shop For Folks Who Read
  • A small business that has flourished and expanded under female leadership, demonstrating both success and a commitment to empowering women in the business world.
• Early Success and Growth Award: Med Kwik
  • A small business that has experienced rapid success and growth within a short timeframe, achieving milestones such as acquiring customers, generating revenue, or securing funding.
• Black-Owned Business Award: Rowell-Parish Mortuary
  • A small business that succeeded in its industry while also making significant contributions to the advancement and prosperity of the African American community.
• Small Business of the Year: Burford Distributing
  • A small business with remarkable growth and sustainability despite limited resources showcasing innovation and adaptability.

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Family-Owned Business Awards:

• Succession Planning Award: My HR Professionals
  • A family business that, in its recent history, crafted and executed a succession plan, ensuring a seamless transition of leadership and securing the future of the enterprise.
• Emerging Luminary Award: Josh Mickle with Mickle Griffin Engineers and Surveyors
  • An individual award for a rising leader or emerging talent within a family business who demonstrates exceptional promise and impact within the company and community.
• Family Unity Award: WeatherBarr Windows & Doors
  • A family business characterized by strong familial bonds, collaborative spirit, and a shared vision among its members.
• Business Renewal Award: SPF America
  • A family business for its proactive efforts in ensuring the sustained growth, longevity, and prudent stewardship of assets with a keen focus on securing the interests of future generations.
• Legacy Champion Award: Bill Hanna of Hanna Oil & Gas
  • This is an individual award recognizing leadership within a family business that exemplifies the highest standards of excellence and contributes significantly to the business and community.
• Family Business of the Year Award: Littlefield Companies
  • A family business that has demonstrated remarkable contributions to its industry or the local community, leaving a lasting and positive imprint through its endeavors.

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The last award of the night was given to a trusted advisor to those mentioned above and other businesses. Merrill – The Lawson Hembree Group was named the Business Advisor of the Year for its work in advising or providing resources to either family-owned or small businesses in the community.

• Tags:
• Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards
• Center for Economic Development
• Jim Walcott