(IABBB)
The International Association of Better Business Bureaus (IABBB) announced the winners of the 2023 International Torch Awards for Ethics. Four businesses are honored for their outstanding commitment to leadership character and organizational ethics. Each was honored at the BBB Trust Summit on November 16, 2023.
The winners are:
- The Congruity Group
- Rescue One Air
- GBQ Partners, LLC
- Optima Tax Relief
Presented annually since 1996, the BBB International Torch Awards for Ethics recognize businesses in North America that maintain outstanding dedication to upholding ethical business practices and promoting trust in the marketplace.
“The International Torch Awards for Ethics is one of the most important programs we do each year,” said Kip Morse, IABBB President and CEO. “BBB sets standards to make trust a fundamental component of the American marketplace, but these businesses are out there every day making it happen. By awarding them the 2023 International Torch Award for Ethics, we are demonstrating to the business community that adhering to Better Business Bureau ethical standards is the hallmark of successful, competitive companies.”
About the winners
Category 1 (1-10 employees)
The Congruity Group, Dayton, OH
The Congruity Group is a consulting firm that creates environments for C-Suite leaders to strategically engage with their C-Suite peers from their key customer accounts. Services include executive-level customer advisory boards; customer engagement assessment; hot topic roundtables; ideation labs; in-depth customer interviews; industry think tanks. Congruity Group was a recipient of a 2023 BBB Torch Award for Ethics(SM) from the BBB of Dayton and Miami Valley.
Category 2 (11-99 employees)
Rescue One Air, Tempe, AZ
Rescue One Air is a residential and light commercial HVAC heating and cooling company that specializes in sales, service, maintenance, and installation. Rescue One Air provides a single resource for all aspects of heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems - from planning, engineering, and construction, to equipment, sales, installation, repair service and maintenance. The company backs up their commitment through professionalism and customer satisfaction. Rescue One Air was a recipient of a 2022 BBB Torch Award for Ethics from the BBB serving the Pacific Southwest.
Category 3 (100-499 employees)
GBQ Partners, Columbus, OH
GBQ is a tax, consulting and accounting firm based in Columbus, OH that empowers growth: Growth of people, communities and clients’ businesses.
For over 70 years, GBQ is driven by the outcomes that they know can change the lives of those they work with and for. It is this purpose that drives and inspires them every day. “It’s why we exist.” GBQ is a 2022 recipient of the BBB Torch Award for Ethics from the BBB of Central Ohio.
Category 4 (500 or more employees)
Optima Tax Relief, Santa Ana, CA
Optima Tax Relief is a tax resolution firm providing assistance to individuals and businesses with IRS and state tax debts. Offering full-service tax resolution and employing over 600 professionals, Optima has resolved over a billion dollars in tax debts for their clients, helping their clients achieve a better financial future by making their tax issues a thing of the past.
Optima Tax Relief is a 2021 recipient of the BBB Torch Award for Ethics from the BBB serving the Pacific Southwest.
In addition, ten businesses were named finalists in the competition.
Category 1 (1-10 employees)
25th Street Automotive Inc., Phoenix, AZ
ActionCoach Bluegrass, Louisville, KY
Bridge City Law|Accident & Injury Lawyers, Portland, OR
Category 2 (11-99 employees)
Baird Foundation Repair, San Antonio, TX
Boxelder Consulting & Tax Relief, Denver, CO
Category 3 (100-499 employees)
Carson Wealth, Omaha, NE
Lumber 1 Home Centers, Mayflower, AR
Tax Relief Advocates, Irvine, CA
Category 4 (500 or more employees)
Reborn Cabinets, Anaheim, CA
Risas Dental & Braces, Phoenix, AZ
The finalists and award-winning companies were selected by an independent panel of business and ethics experts: Phil Catlett, retired CEO, BBB Grand Rapids, MI; Robin Day, National Director of Academics, Herzing College, Winnipeg, MB; Fred Elsberry, retired CEO, BBB Atlanta; John Fons, Fractional Corporate Counsel and Compliance & Ethics Officer, Fons Law Group; Kent Nobel, Professor of Ethics, University of Wyoming; Robert Reiss, CEO, The CEO Forum Group; Parag Shah, Chief Ethics Officer, Nationwide; and Matt Sitter, CEO, Advantage Foundry Network.
Companies were evaluated against four criteria including the Character of the organization’s leadership; if and how an authentic Culture is being fostered; the company’s transparent relationship with its Customers; and the impact the organization is making in the local Community.