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Union Mutual Named a Finalist for Deane C. Davis Outstanding Business of the Year Award

Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce have announced the three finalists for the Deane C Davis Outstanding Business of the Year Award: Marathon Health, Union Mutual and Vermont Creamery.

One of these impressive finalists will be named the Deane C Davis Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year on Thursday, May 11 in an awards presentation ceremony at the Sheraton Burlington Conference Center at 7:30 pm. The announcement will come during the 2017 Best of Business (BOB) Awards.

This year’s finalists exemplify the resourcefulness, innovation and success of Vermont’s businesses. They all share a dedication to their employees, communities and Vermont’s natural environment. Each represents a unique story of vision, commitment and growth.

 

Union Mutual

Union Mutual, a property/casualty insurance company based in Montpelier for over 140 years, exemplifies the standards set by Governor Davis during his lifelong devotion to service and success. Governor Davis helped instill those expectations as a member of Union Mutual’s Board of Directors after his governorship. Union Mutual has long been providing quality jobs through their home office on State Street or the home offices of their many remote claims adjusters and marketing representatives. The mission of Union Mutual is to provide superior insurance products via unparalleled customer service, which they have been doing since 1874. With their mission, Union Mutual embodies the business excellence representative of the Deane C Davis award, making them a strong contender in the race for this distinction.

 

Marathon Health

Marathon Health is a national leader in employer-sponsored onsite healthcare and is headquartered in the Champlain Mill along the Winooski River in Winooski. Marathon Health has stayed focused on its core mission since its inception in 2005: To transform lives by empowering individuals to live healthier lives, and to help organizations realize the financial savings that result in supporting a healthy, thriving workforce. In showcasing the essence of business growth while maintaining a strong commitment to the wellbeing of employees and the community, Marathon Health has risen to the top and easily stands among the top three competitors for the Deane C Davis Outstanding Business of the Year distinction.

 

Vermont Creamery

Vermont Creamery, located in Websterville, strives to produce the highest quality cheeses and dairy products by using local ingredients, while supporting and developing family farms. They aim to exemplify sustainability by being profitable, engaging staff in the business, and living their mission every day in the Creamery and on the farm. Vermont Creamery works actively to create a challenging and engaging workplace for its employees. Vermont Creamery is a Certified B Corporation, which demonstrates their commitment to being a socially and environmentally responsible business. Their dedication makes Vermont Creamery a strong competitor for this award.

To recognize and honor Vermont’s best companies, Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber created the Deane C Davis Outstanding Business of the Year Award in 1990. Named for the former Governor of Vermont, this annual award honors a Vermont business that shows an outstanding history of sustained growth while displaying an acute awareness of what makes Vermont unique. Commitment to the environment and dedication to employee relations are key components to receiving the award.

Join Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber as they unveil this year’s award recipient at the Vermont Business Magazine Best of Business (BOB) Awards on Thursday, May 11, 2017, at the Sheraton Burlington from 5-8 pm. The winner will be announced at 7:30 pm.

Vermont Business Magazine is the state’s most respected business publication. Since 1972, VBM has published statewide business, economic and political news and commentary, business and individual profiles, data, analysis and statistics.

The largest statewide, private, not-for-profit business organization, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce represents nearly every sector of the state’s corporate and hospitality community. Its mission is to create an economic climate conducive to business growth and the preservation of the Vermont quality of life.

Demonstrated success by:

* Continued growth in number of employees and/or sales.
Does the company have a clear mission statement that allows sustainable growth for itself and its employees? Does the company’s goals and objectives create incentive for sustained growth? Does the company’s marketing strategy keep up with a constantly changing market place?

* Commitment of company resources, including employees to community projects.
Does the company have a community relations function at its corporate level? Does the company encourage employees to participate in community projects? Are company officers involved in community projects?

* Recognition of the environment as a natural and economic resource for Vermont.
Does company policy incorporate Vermont’s natural environment in the production or marketing of its product(s)? Is the company actively involved in the development of local, regional or state natural and economic environmental policies?

* Creation of a positive work environment for all employees.
Does the company involve its employees in operational policy creation? Does the company create incentives for employee participation in company and community projects? Does the company’s human resources policies provide for meaningful and continuing employee evaluation?

Standards of Excellence:

The Deane C. Davis Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year Award is the prestigious recognition of a company in Vermont who has met the highest standards of excellence in the past year to improving its sales, the work environment for its employees, and its contribution of its resources to its community.

The honoree has demonstrated success through:

  • Continued growth in number of employees or sales
  • Commitment of company resources, including employees to community projects
  • Recognition of the environment as a natural and economic resource for Vermont
  • Creation of a positive work environment for all employees

The economic well-being of Vermont rests squarely on the success of its businesses, large and small, which provide jobs, products, and services to consumers in Vermont, across the United States and around the world. Many companies in Vermont fully exemplify the Deane C. Davis Outstanding Vermont Business Standards of Excellence. They have used these standards as a guideline to improve their business, their employees and their community. These standards are relevant to all businesses, small and large.

Meeting the highest standards of excellence is the direct cause of the success of any business. Even if the market is ready and consumers are willing, the ability to attain the highest standards of excellence combined with a clear, definable mission statement is vital to any company’s longevity.

Eligibility:

To be eligible the nominated business must have its corporate headquarters in Vermont for at least 10 years. Subsidiaries of international corporations may also be nominated if their U.S. headquarters are based in Vermont and if they operate largely autonomously. Please note, this award is designated to a for-profit business as the judging committee will take the growth of sales into consideration.