Deep within every company are driven individuals who yearn to change ethics in the workplace. For the past 18 years, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the BBB Center for Ethics have given awards to students, businesses and nonprofits at the Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics for aligning with their mission – to provide ethics education, direction, and recognition to the community, for the purpose of strengthening the career lives of future and current employers and employees. The BBB Center for Ethics believes the ideal workplace is built by a superior workforce.
The 18th Annual Torch Awards was held on October 19th and hosted 240 guests and around 70 businesses and nonprofits represented from the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana areas. “We have the privilege to learn about many businesses who truly value ethics, especially in industries that we don’t typically think make it a priority. It’s inspiring to see companies that strive to be the best of the best for consumers who are looking for trustworthy businesses. It’s not an easy application and not easy to win…and shouldn’t be for this sets the good and the great apart,” says Trisha Sefakis, Director of Communications for the BBB.
The application is a rigorous process that involves writing a strong essay and an intense self-evaluation on how one handles ethical practices. Torch Award winners are driven by passion for their work, employees, customers, community and principles and are chosen based on their ethical decision making – not on best practices, growth or revenue. All current and past winners have the chance to be advocates by giving real-life examples of business ethics in their industry by being a part of an Ethics Panel at high schools and colleges.
Matthew King, CEO, and Co-Founder of Drone Camp was the winner of the Student of Integrity Scholarship in 2012. Corrie McGlothlin, Vice President for BBB Center for Ethics recalls, “When we interviewed him, he was drawn to our scholarship because he truly believed in ethics. He wrote a strong essay on business ethics and used the same principles when he saw a need to educate kids in drone ethics. Matthew fit right in with the strong values that we hold for the Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics and it was especially exciting to see it come full-circle.”
This year’s Keynote speakers included Brian Thomas from 55KRC and Paulette Thomas from BakerHostetler. Colin Mayfield from WLWT Channel 5 News did an amazing job as the MC for the event. “We would like to thank the Sharonville Convention Center for their hospitality and for becoming an Ethics Allies Sponsor to further our program. We love the updated look of the building and had many compliments on how great the food was and how friendly and helpful their staff was,” Corrie McGlothlin complemented.
Another congratulations to the 2018 winners! From left to right in the photo are:
Jason Clarke- Clarke Contractors
Rich Brandenburg- Donnellon McCarthy Enterprises Inc.
Tom Armstrong- A-Pro Southwest Ohio Home Inspection
John Mitchell- Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Do you know someone or think you exemplify outstanding ethical practices? Nominate someone or yourself today by going to torchapp.org to begin the process. Check back to see the dates for the 19th Annual Torch Awards in October 2019 at the Sharonville Convention Center!
