Smith & Gesteland: Wisconsin Family Business of the Year award winners announced

For additional information contact

Neil Fauerbach, Partner – Director of Marketing

Smith & Gesteland, LLP

Office: 608-828-3110 – email: neil.fauerbach@sgcpa.com

Madison, WI – Seven family businesses were honored in the seventh annual Wisconsin Family Business of the Year Award banquet held Thursday evening in Madison. Three grand awards were presented along with four special awards.

According to the Family Firm Institute, over 80 percent of all business enterprises in North America are family-owned. Nearly 35 percent of Fortune 500 Companies are family firms. Family businesses account for 78 percent of all new job creation, 60 percent of the nation’s employment, and 50 percent of the GDP.

“Family businesses are a major force in our economy”, stated Dennis Breunig, Managing Partner of Smith & Gesteland. “Success rates for family businesses are higher due in part to their emphasis on long-term survival, and the fact that their family values become their businesses values. They anchor their communities, provide jobs, support charities, and lead by example. We are proud to honor their achievements and contributions with these awards.

Winners were selected by an independent panel of judges from nominations submitted by the companies. The award program is sponsored by Smith & Gesteland, a Madison-based CPA and consulting firm, Associated Bank, and the Madison-based law firm of DeWitt Ross & Stevens.

Grand awards were presented in three size categories: Large (100+ employees), Medium (50-99), and Small (under 50). Special awards were given by the judges to companies excelling in a particular area.

Grand Awards

Miron Construction Company, Inc., Neenah – Large Company

Gordy’s Lakefront Marine, Inc., Fontana – Medium Company

Home Lumber Company, Whitewater – Small Company

Special Awards/Title

CJ & Associates, Inc., New Berlin – “Family 4 Families”

Rechek’s Food Pride, Beaver Dam “Food for Thought”

Ryan Brothers Ambulance, Inc., Madison – “First Community Response”

Sowinski Farms, Inc., Rhinelander – “Chip Off the Old Block”

Further information about the award winners can be found at http://www.familybusinessaward.com.