Looking back more than 10 years after her business received an Excellence in Family Business Award, Lori Luchak can still remember the feeling of the ceremony.
Luchak, President of Miles Fiberglass & Composites, said being named a Family Business of the Year by the Austin Family Business program in 1999 not only gave her sense of validation for her family’s hard work, but a chance to reflect.
“The Austin Family Business Award allowed our family to celebrate the joy of being a family business and forget about the hard work of balancing family and business for one special night,” Luchak said.
Fruithill, Inc., started in 1919 in Yamhill, Ore. The farm grows cherries, plums, hazelnuts, wine grapes and other crops, and last year was named the Small Family Business of the Year.
Linda Schrepel, a member of Fruithill’s third-generation, said participating in the awards helped the family connect with the history of the business and the family.
“I like that in a way we were forced to put together our family history because now it is together,” she said. “The history is down and it’s there for generations to read.”
The program is currently accepting nominations for the 2013 Excellence in Family Business Awards. To nominate a business, fill out the online form, or visit the Excellence in Family Business Awards website for more information.
Deadline for nominations is April 1. Businesses may still apply for the awards without being nominated before May 1.
Now in their 25th year, the awards honor innovative family businesses from around the Northwest who demonstrate innovation, entrepreneurship and a commitment to community involvement.
More than 180 companies have been honored in this peer-reviewed competition since the awards were first presented in 1988.
