Institute for Family Business celebrates 25 years

WACO, Texas (November 6, 2014) – Baylor University’s Institute for Family Business will honor the 2014 Texas Family Business of the Year Award winner Marketplace Ministries and other finalists at an awards banquet Nov. 6 at Baylor University’s Bill Daniel Student Center.

The awards program – now in its 25^th year – recognizes outstanding firms whose families demonstrate a commitment to each other and to business continuity, and who are responsive to the needs of their employees, communities and industries.

Marketplace Ministries, based outside of Dallas, Texas, recently celebrated its 30-year anniversary as the country’s original and largest provider of workplace chaplains in the US and now internationally. A new book was recently released titled, “Chaplain,” on Founder and CEO Gil A. Stricklin and the unique ministry.

“The Institute for Family Business and Baylor University is privileged to honor great family businesses for the 25th consecutive year,” said Bill Worthington, director of the Institute for Family Business in Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business. “The applicant pool provided stunning examples of the impact that firm, family, and faith can have on individuals, businesses, and the communities they serve.”

This year’s winners are:

• Small Family Business of the Year – Aderhold Funeral Home – West
• Medium Family Business of the Year – B. C. Williams Bakery Services, Inc. – Dallas
• Large Family Business of the Year – Texas Bank and Trust – Longview
• Stewardship Award – Marketplace Ministries Inc. – Plano
• Community Commitment Award – Southwest University of El Paso – El Paso
• Family Values Award – Lucas Funeral Homes – Hurst
• Fastest Growing Award – Texas Financial Advisory – San Antonio
• Well-Managed Award – Hodges Capital – Dallas
• Founders Award – Texana Bank, N. A. – Linden
• Heritage Award – Riscky’s Barbeque – Fort Worth

Finalists are: Georgetown Mortgage, LLC (Georgetown); Lake Air Pool Supply, LLC (Waco); Nerium International (Addison); Ruby Media, Inc. (Dallas); Smotherman Farms, LTD (West).

“We are certainly thrilled to join these many fine companies who have received this prestigious honor. Over the last three decades we have attempted to be good stewards in this vital chaplain work with hurting men and women in today’s workforce in North America and all over the world,” Stricklin said.

Today, there are more than 2,800 Marketplace Ministries chaplains working at 3,400 client locations in 1,038 cities, 55 states and provinces and five international companies, including China in 2014.

Through the Texas Family Business of the Year program and other activities, the Institute for Family Business fulfills its mission to provide a forum for the development and dissemination of information relevant to the health and continuity of family businesses. Other educational and planning programs available to family business owners through the Institute include special interest seminars and entrepreneurship training classes.

ABOUT BAYLOR

Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.

ABOUT HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business provides a rigorous academic experience, consisting of classroom and hands-on learning, guided by Christian commitment and a global perspective. Recognized nationally for several programs, including Entrepreneurship and Accounting, the school offers 24 undergraduate and 13 graduate areas of study. Visit www.baylor.edu/business and follow on Twitter at twitter.com/Baylor_Business.