Torch Awards for Ethics

Central Ohio BBB Center for Character Ethics

BBB believes in the power of trust, and our mission is to advance trust in business. Through evaluation, Accreditation, education, and celebration, BBB builds a community of like-minded businesses that have the opportunity to impact people and communities positively. To us, trust is the glue that holds communities together; it’s the principle BBB was founded on, and it’s what continues to motivate us today.

BBB serving Central Ohio established the Torch Awards for Ethics as an annual awards program to publicly recognize local companies that have practices in place that elevate their commitment to ethical business. The Torch Awards for Ethics is designed to not only promote the importance of building trust, but also the willingness and efforts made by outstanding businesses to help contribute to an honorable marketplace.

BBB has distilled our intentional focus on trust and ethics into four C’s – Character, Culture, Customers, Community, and this is the basis for the Torch Awards entry process. The application outlines the character of the organization’s leadership, how an authentic culture is being fostered, how the company prioritizes its relationship with customers, and the impact the organization is making in their community.

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Do you know an outstanding local organization? Nominate them for a Torch Award today!

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FAQs

For additional questions, visit our FAQ page or contact event coordinator Cassy Patterson at cpatterson@centralohio.bbb.org

Eligibility & criteria

Interested in applying for a Torch Award? Visit our eligibility and criteria page for more details.

Congratulations to the 2025 winners of the Torch Awards for Ethics!

Headquartered in Dublin, CollisionRight operates a growing network of collision repair centers built on craftsmanship, care, and character. The company pairs certified technicians and advanced technology with a people-first culture rooted in empathy, transparency, and doing what’s right for every customer. Beyond repair excellence, CollisionRight invests in its team through feedback-driven leadership, growth opportunities, and a mission to create the best place to work. From donating refurbished vehicles through the Recycled Rides program to serving meals at the Columbus Dream Center, CollisionRight demonstrates that integrity in action extends well beyond the shop floor.

Founded in 1881, E.E. Ward Moving & Storage is the nation’s oldest continually operating African American–owned business, built on a legacy of integrity, reliability, and service. As a full-service moving company, E.E. Ward provides residential, commercial, and government clients with an unmatched sense of comfort and security when relocating or storing their belongings nationwide. For more than 144 years, the company has demonstrated that doing the right thing is not just a value but a way of life, inspiring trust and strengthening the customers it serves.

Founded in 2021 in Columbus, OH, Emerald Creative Content is an SEO-obsessed, woman-owned digital marketing agency. Their “anti-agency” agency approach is built on a values-first foundation of trust with their clients. Emerald empowers its team to prioritize transparency and ethical decision-making in every small business partnership. Doing the right thing for clients is never a risk, but it’s the standard. Their commitment to ethical leadership and human-first digital marketing makes them a standout example of integrity in the digital space with strategies designed to help local small businesses move the needle.

MDK Legal, formerly Manley Deas & Kochalski, is a Columbus-based law firm that blends legal expertise with business partnership thinking, helping clients in banking, mortgage servicing, and timeshare industries resolve complex matters efficiently and ethically. Guided by the mission to “create uncommon paths to success for our clients and ourselves,” MDK’s culture is rooted in trust, transparency, and shared purpose. The firm invests deeply in its people through initiatives like its Leadership Lab and Culture Council, fostering open dialogue, professional growth, and belonging across all levels. By living its values daily and leading with clarity, humility, and care, MDK sets the standard for integrity-driven leadership in the legal field.

Based in Powell, Ohio, Measurement Resources Company helps nonprofits and government agencies turn good intentions into measurable impact through data, evaluation, and performance strategy. By equipping mission-driven organizations with tools to track and improve outcomes, MRC ensures that every effort leads to meaningful, lasting change. The firm’s culture of trust is built on transparency, empowerment, and shared purpose, where employees are encouraged to take initiative, act with integrity, and co-create solutions that elevate clients and communities alike. Through clarity of purpose and data-driven collaboration, MRC exemplifies how doing good and doing it well go hand in hand.

Based in Columbus, Mid-State Basement Systems provides premier solutions in basement waterproofing, foundation and crawl space repair, and basement finishing. With a focus on honesty, communication, and craftsmanship, their team delivers high-quality, warrantied results that restore value and peace of mind. Through initiatives like the “WOW! Service” program and an open feedback culture, Mid-State empowers employees to lead with empathy, integrity, and accountability in every customer interaction. Their commitment to doing what’s right, every time, has built a workplace and brand where trust and excellence thrive.

Founded in 1984 and based in Columbus, Polaris Automation provides smart manufacturing, automation, and digital factory solutions that help manufacturers enhance quality, efficiency, and productivity. As a 100% employee-owned company operating within the EOS framework, Polaris emphasizes integrity, transparency, and collaboration, ensuring that owners are aligned around shared goals and responsibilities. The team is encouraged to act in each client’s best interest, communicate clearly, and address challenges promptly, fostering long-term, trust-based relationships. Polaris also extends its commitment to service through community involvement, including mentoring robotics students and supporting anti-trafficking initiatives.