PHOENIX, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ASBA (Arizona Small Business Association), in collaboration with the Edward Lowe Foundation, announces the 2008 Comerica Bank Arizona Companies to Watch awardees. With more than 80,000 second-stage growth companies around the state, ASBA traveled to cities, statewide to share the opportunity to recognize Arizona companies on the fast track. More than 300 Arizona based companies were nominated for the chance to
be selected as a 2008 Arizona Company to Watch.
Research has shown that these firms show the greatest potential and results. They span all industries and they are creating jobs at a disproportionate rate as compared to their larger and smaller counterparts even in a down market. "Of all resident establishments in Arizona, 12% are second stage companies, and those companies create 41.6% of the jobs in the
state," according to research by the Edward Lowe Foundation. "That's 3.5% higher than the U.S. average," stated Joan Koerber-Walker, ASBA CEO.
The 2008 Comerica Bank Arizona Companies to Watch Awardees will be honored at the third annual awards ceremony November 11 the Phoenix Convention Center from 6-9 p.m. In addition, five companies will receive the Spotlight Awards in
the following areas: Company Culture, Customer Service, Change/Innovation, Community and Commerce at the event. Until then, Spotlight Awardees are top secret.
"Companies like the Comerica Bank Arizona Companies to Watch are one of the reasons that Arizona leads the country in economic growth. Through the efforts of great employees who deliver innovative products and services, these companies are growing at over four times the national average!" says Joan Koerber-Walker, CEO of the Arizona Small Business Association. "ASBA is proud to be recognizing and supporting this growing community of excellent companies," Koerber-Walker adds.
"Second-stage entrepreneurs are very important in this region, generating jobs and sustaining economic growth. Working with ASBA, we have a chance to recognize these companies' impact, and to help build a self-help network," said Meredith Russell, president of Comerica Bank in Arizona.
"Comerica Bank Companies to Watch is a unique awards program designed to shine the spotlight on second-stage companies," says Penny Lewandowski, director of entrepreneurship at the Edward Lowe Foundation, a not-for-profit operating foundation based in Michigan. The foundation supports entrepreneurship through research, recognition and educational programs, which
are delivered through entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) like ASBA, with a focus on second-stage companies.
The research Koerber-Walker refers to comes from YourEconomy(TM) (www.youreconomy.org), a new online tool created by the foundation to track business activity through time. YourEconomy enables users to see key trends and view their business communities from a new perspective.
"Comerica Bank partnered with ASBA in support of Arizona's small businesses community. It is companies like these who are the bedrock of our economy. If you are looking for examples of companies that demonstrate business excellence and inspiring levels of growth, you need to look no further than this 2008 class of Comerica Bank Arizona Companies to Watch" shared Rick Danford, First Vice President of Small Business Banking at Comerica Bank, Arizona.
The 2008 Awardees are:
- Able Information Technologies, Inc., Chandler
- ActiveForever, Scottsdale
- AllSource Global Management, LLC, Sierra Vista
- ATS Electric, Inc., Phoenix
- Autohaus Arizona, Inc., Phoenix
- Caliente Construction, Inc., Mesa
- CCS Presentation Systems, Scottsdale
- CellTrust Corp., Scottsdale
- Collins Holdings, LLC., Tempe
- Company Nurse, LLC., Scottsdale
- CRS Temporary Housing, Phoenix
- Electronic Payment Providers, Inc., Phoenix
- EventPro Strategies, Tempe
- FlexPrint, Inc., Tempe
- Heinfeld, Meech & Co., P.C., Tucson
- Hospitality Performance Network, Scottsdale
- iMemories, Scottsdale
- Job Brokers Inc., Tempe
- Killer Shade, Phoenix
- Kutta Consulting, Inc., Phoenix
- Kyle Jones Enterprises, Inc., Phoenix
- Lapre Scali & Company, Scottsdale
- Lensco, Phoenix
- Logan Commercial Advisors, Scottsdale
- McFadden/Gavender Advertising, Inc., Tucson
- MKS Graphics, Inc., Tempe
- Morrison & Associates, CPAs PLLC., Chandler
- MSS Technologies, Inc., Phoenix
- My Computer Works, Scottsdale
- Nutri-Health, LLC., Cottonwood
- Orca Communications Unlimited, LLC., Phoenix
- Orchard Medical Consulting, Phoenix
- Paragon Space Development Corporation, Tucson
- Pragmatic Marketing, Scottsdale
- Precision Trials, LLC., Phoenix
- Primus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Scottsdale
- Professional Employment Solutions, Inc., Scottsdale
- Realty DataTrust Corp., Scottsdale
- Sierra Toyota, Sierra Vista
- Silverado Cable Company, Mesa
- Sindel Technology Solutions, Inc., Tempe
- Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Tempe
- SpringBoard, Inc., Phoenix
- StaffingMedical USA Inc., Scottsdale
- Telesphere, Scottsdale
- Terralever LLC., Tempe
- The Arizona Car Wash Company, Phoenix
- The Lavidge Company, Scottsdale
- TriSports.com, Tucson
- Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson, Tucson
Companies considered for the Comerica Bank Arizona Companies to Watch list
are second-stage companies. For purposes of this award, they are defined as
having 10 to 100 full-time-equivalent employees and generating $750,000 to
$100 million in annual revenue or working capital from investors or grants. In
addition, the companies must be privately held and headquartered in Arizona.
Judges evaluated the companies for their demonstrated intent and capacity
to grow based on one or more of the following
- Employee or sales growth.
- Exceptional entrepreneurial leadership.
- Sustainable competitive advantage.
- Other notable factors that showcase the company's success.
Information about Arizona Companies to Watch can be found at www.asba.com
and www.AzCompaniesToWatch.org. To register a table or purchase individual
tickets, call 480-403-4601.
Following the Nov. 11 celebration, the 50 companies selected as 2008
Comerica Bank Arizona Companies to Watch join with 100 past winners from 2006
and 2007 in the Comerica Bank Arizona Companies to Watch Alliance an ongoing
experience designed specifically to support companies on the growth path.
Programs like this are made possible by community partners and sponsors.
ASBA recognizes Comerica Bank, Telesphere, Republic Media, Jobing.com, Compass
Insurance, Staples, Televerde, APS/AAAME, SCF Arizona, The Lavidge Company,
1510 KFNN Financial News Radio, Infusionsoft, Corporate Broadcast Center,
Arizona Department of Commerce, Metro Studios and KAET Eight their
contribution to second-stage companies.
SOURCE Comerica Bank
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
