TOP TEXAS FAMILY BUSINESSES HONORED. - States News Service

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

Baylor University's Institute for Family Business will present the 20th Annual Texas Family Business of the Year Awards to 20 outstanding businesses at a banquet Nov. 5, in Baylor University's Bill Daniel Student Center.

The program recognizes 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.

This year's winners are:

Small Family Business of the Year:

Gohlke Pools - Denton

Wardlaw Claims Service - Waco

Medium Family Business of the Year:

Parsons Roofing - Waco

Large Family Business of the Year:

United Supermarkets - Lubbock

Community Commitment Award:

Texas Barber Colleges and Hairstyling Schools - Houston

Family Values Award:

Johnston Legal Group - Fort Worth

Fastest Growing Award:

Spec's Family Partners - Houston

Well-Managed Award:

Richard Karr Motors - Waco

Founders Award:

Louis Shanks of Texas - Austin

Heritage Award:

Read's Food Store - Mart

Hurricane Survivor Award:

Ocean Oso's - Galveston

Finalists in the competition were: Armstrong Mechanical, Lubbock; Belltec Industries, Belton; Celebrating Home, Marshall; Chaney Enterprises, Arlington; Home State Insurance Group, Waco; KiDSPACE, Amarillo; Public Steel, Amarillo; Ranch at the Rim, San Antonio; and Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse, Dallas.

'Starting, owning and operating a family business is the foundation of the American Dream,' said J. David Allen, director of the John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship at Baylor's Hankamer School of Business. 'It is our privilege to honor the dedicated, hard-working risk-takers in the state of Texas who contribute so much to our economic and social well-being.'

Through these types of programs, the Institute for Family Business at Baylor University 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.