Annual Awards 2008
EDCO pays tribute to Central Oregon's business innovation, growth, and success
At a standing-room only event entitled “Serious Business. Serious Fun” at Seventh Mountain Resort, Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) presented their 2008 Awards of Excellence October 30. The awards are designed to recognize Central Oregon’s traded-sector employers who have created new jobs, investment, and partnership for the betterment of the region. Our goal is to reward those “unsung heroes” who are making a difference behind the scenes and forging partnerships to make Central Oregon more business friendly, and to educate EDCO Membership about the stability and strength traded-sector employers bring to the region.
This year six outstanding contributors in the following categories were honored:
Excellence in Manufacturing - Warm Springs Composite Products
- Recognizes the most dramatic innovation and/or progress in Central Oregon manufacturing.
- Accepted by Jake Coochise on behalf of Duane Darnell
- Awarded for recognition of WSCP’s transformation into an international exporter to eleven different counties. The company produces door components and recently landed a contract to supply the world's tallest building under construction, The Burj Dubai.
Economic Development Partnership of the Year - Steering Committee of High Desert Enterprise Consortium (HiDEC)
- Recognizes most outstanding collaboration, either between companies or public/private enterprise within the past year.
- Accepted by Greg Hastings of Precise Flight on behalf of the entire committee, consisting of: Tom Petullo, BrightWood Corp.; Duane Darnell, Warm Springs Composite; Richard Murphy, Woodgrain Millworks; Steve Bettis, Fuqua Homes; Carl Harbour (chair), PCC Schlosser; Bruce Faling, Contact Industries; and founding member Dave Slavensky, Structus Building Technologies.
- Awarded for fostering partnership and collaboration between manufacturing-based companies through Central Oregon. In less than two years, HiDEC has expanded from its initial 13 members to 26 members whose companies make up over 3500 jobs in Central Oregon.
Entrepreneur(s) of the Year – Dan Hobin and Greg Meier, G5 Search Marketing
- Recognizes outstanding success of an early stage company or individual and the entrepreneurial spirit.
- This Bend-based company, started in 2004, has explosive growth plans – hiring 48 new employees over the next two years and with projected revenue of $3.5 million in 2008. G5 Search Marketing gives business owners visibility into which advertising efforts (traditional or online) produce their most profitable customers.
Central Oregon Product of the Year – BTL (formerly Bend Tarp and Liner)
- Recognizes the most innovative, successful, pioneering or otherwise outstanding product manufactured in Central Oregon.
- Accepted by CFO Steve Caldwell
- BTL was recognized for the geomembrane panels (also known as “tarps”) of enormous size (e.g. 450 ft x 235 ft) created in their environmentally controlled 84,000 sf fabrication plant in Prineville. BTL’s tarps are used around the world for vital applications, from waste containment to potable water storage to industrial processing.
Private Sector Person of the Year –Carl Harbour, PCC Schlosser
- Recognizes outstanding leadership and/or initiative in the public sector, within Central Oregon.
- Harbour was honored for his time, resource, and organizational commitments to get the High Desert Enterprise Consortium (HiDEC) off the ground. He travels the country, reviewing exemplary lean manufacturing practices, and brings that knowledge back to PCC and to HiDEC to increase the region’s global competitiveness.
Public Sector Person of the Year –Carrie Novick, Redmond Airport Manager
- Recognizes outstanding leadership, initiative and other contributions to the economy from the private sector, within Central Oregon.
- Novick has been instrumental in moving the region’s commercial airport to levels unparalleled in other communities in the western U.S. She’s made over $100 million in capital and operating improvements during her tenure and has expanded flight service to new locations.
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