BAYLOR UNIVERSITY HONORS TOP TEXAS FAMILY BUSINESSES.(Awards list) - States News Service

Waco, Texas -- The following information was released by Baylor University:

Baylor University's Institute for Family Business will honor the 2012 Texas Family Business of the Year award winners and finalists at an awards banquet on Thursday, Nov. 8 at the University's Bill Daniel Student Center.

The program 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. Entries are judged on the following criteria: family involvement, community and industry involvement, and business success and succession.

'Considering all the recent pressures which have fallen upon business owners - economic downturn, the new healthcare expense issues and enormous regulatory restraints, it is really difficult to operate profitable businesses these days,' said J. David Allen, director of the John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship at Baylor's Hankamer School of Business.

'When family issues are added to the mix great skill and judgment are required to remain successful. We really value, respect and honor family businesses that can balance all the issues, business and family, and continue to operate successful businesses. They are truly remarkable,' he said.

This year's winners are:

Small Family Business of the Year - All-Star Martial Arts and Fitness, Inc. - Cypress

Medium Family Business of the Year - Claffey Pools, Inc. - Southlake

Large Family Business of the Year - Johnson Roofing, Inc. - Waco

Community Commitment Award - The Dwyer Group - Waco

Family Values Award - Sabine Pipe, Inc. - Kilgore

Fastest Growing Award - Image Hospitality - Frisco

Well-Managed Award - DW Distribution, Inc. - Desoto

Founders Award - O'Day Drilling Company, Inc. - Rosharon

Heritage Award - Pendery's Taste Merchants - Dallas/Fort Worth

Finalists in the competition are: Advanced Chemical Logistics, Ltd., Richland Hills; Alloy Metals and Tubes International, Inc., Houston; Auto Exam, Inc., Houston; Billy's Automotive Service, Fort Worth; Brasher Motor Company of Weimar, Inc., Weimar; Broome Welding Company, Inc., Galveston; Hakim Sons Films, Inc., Dallas; Modern Method Gunite, Inc., Houston; Texas Disposal Systems, Austin; White and Associates Real Estate Services, Grand Prairie.

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 UNIVERSITY

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.