2017 RABEF ETHIE Award Recipients Announced

Rochester, NY—The Rochester Area Business Ethics Foundation (RABEF) presented its 2017 ETHIE Awards to ProNexus, Holy Childhood, Leonard’s Express and Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.

The ETHIE recognizes businesses and organizations that do the right thing through strong ethical foundations, aspirations to high standards of business conduct, and the multifaceted nature of ethics in our daily lives.

ProNexus took home the ETHIE in the small business category. ProNexus is a management consulting and professional services firm that offers scalable, customized finance, accounting and IT solutions and consulting services from strategy and leadership to project execution. ProNexus supports the offices of the C-suite using a unique blend of engagement models. “ProNexus has fine-tuned a cohesive balance among clients, employees and strategic partners. Treating each group like family and focusing on doing right by the client has contributed to their success,” said Kara Martin, ETHIE Award Process Committee Chair. “This company is innovative and focused. I have been impressed by their ‘give local, buy local’ mentality. They have committed to this concept throughout their business and this is one way their ethics show through.”

Holy Childhood, the ETHIE recipient for the medium business category, is a non-denominational, non-profit agency, that has enriched the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for more than 70 years. In addition, its for-profit arm, the Special Touch Bakery, is expanding this fall to a 20,000 square foot facility that will serve as an opportunity for over 50 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to learn food production and food service skills while earning a paycheck. Martin said, “Holy Childhood has a feel, from the moment you walk in the doors, that’s authentic, genuine and overwhelming. Seeing the dignity and the compassion embedded in the services they provide, and the commitment they have made to executing on these, is incredible. Through their focus on inspiring lifelong learning and impacting lives, they are a hallmark of the community. This place is a gem. Their good works go so far beyond regulation and compliance within the industry. They have a commitment to service and value for everyone in their programs, and every family they touch through their services.”

This year, for the first time in RABEF history, the honors for the ETHIE in the large business category were shared between two firms: Leonard’s Express, Inc. and Stantec Consulting Services Inc.

Leonard’s Express is an asset-based transportation provider with offices located throughout the United States. With an investment in state-of-the-art technology, Leonard’s is able to provide diversified transportation solutions for many different industries. “Leonard’s is a fun, family atmosphere. The Johnson family treats everyone who walks through their doors like they are part of the family. They are honest and open, have an ethical bond to each other, and they focus on doing the right thing. The leadership heavily invests in its employees, including leadership training, health and fitness programs and leading the industry in technology to keep drivers safe and well-informed. In an industry that is often negatively perceived as dishonest, Leonard’s focus on ethics and preservation of their excellent reputation is critical. Keeping deliveries on time, yet keeping drivers safe and within regulations, is a balance they happily navigate,” said Martin.

For Stantec, a company that designs with community in mind, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, construction services, project management and project economics are its focus. With offices all over the world, local strength, knowledge and relationships have allowed Stantec to continually meet clients’ needs in creative and personalized ways. “Stantec’s focus on ‘better together’ is lived out through their daily work lives. Every meeting starts with an ethics and/or safety moment, renewing their commitments to these, while out in the field. The Rochester office was a leader in the implementation of the rebranding last year, and their commitment to ‘design with community in mind’ shows their partnership with clients,” said Martin.

Ontario County, Interpretek and Broccolo Tree & Lawn Care also made the 2017 ETHIE finalists list. RABEF plans to induct all five organizations into its Honor Roll at an event to be held in early 2018.

2017 Rochester Area Business Ethics Foundation sponsors include:

• Founding Partners: The Society of Financial Service Professionals, St. John Fisher College, and Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
• Platinum sponsors: ConServe, Genesee Valley Trust, Isaac Heating & Air Conditioning, St. John Fisher College and webSURGE
• Gold sponsors: Futures Funding, Heritage Christian Services, Karpus Investment Management, LeChase Construction, Lyons National Bank, Nazareth College, Nocon & Associates, PS&E Plan to Prosper, Roberts Wesleyan College, Society of Financial Service Professionals and Vistage Worldwide
• Community Sponsors: Alesco Advisors, Bergmann Associates, Benefit Resource, D4, DeCarolis Truck Rental, EEP Quality Group, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, HR Works, Layer 3 Technology, Northwestern Mutual, Russell K. Schwartzbeck (CFP), The Bonadio Group, The Farrell Edge and Twyla Cummings, PhD
• Scholarship Sponsors: Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, OPSandENG and Rochester Rotary Charitable Trust

An independent panel of judges carefully and impartially analyzes the completed ETHIE Award entry forms to determine the finalists, which then undergo a site visit by a member of the judging committee. The committee then names recipients of the annual awards. Learn more about applying for the ETHIE Awards at www.RochesterBusinessEthics.com/ethie-award/apply/.