Better Business Bureau Serving Southern Arizona has announced 10 finalists for its annual Torch Awards, which are awarded to Southern Arizona businesses that excel at ethical business practices, giving back to the community, and customer service.

Judges representing both for-profit and non-profit organizations graded the entries of all the nominees, selecting the 10 finalists for all three awards- the Ethics Award, the Good Neighbor Award, and the Customer Excellence Award.

“Being a finalist really shows that our efforts are being recognized, and that what we do matters,” said Sarah Cadrobbi of Pima Dermatology, a Customer Excellence Award finalist. “It’s such an honor to be recognized in your community.”

BBB has awarded its Ethics Award to a Southern Arizona company each year since 2002, and began awarding the Good Neighbor Award and the Customer Excellence Award in 2011. Finalists and winners of all the awards share BBB’s vision of fostering an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other.

Torch Awards finalists:

Ethics Award: Honors a business for its trustworthy and honorable business practices in four primary categories. The nominated business maintains a solid commitment to ethical business practices in every aspect of its operation. This award is open to any for-profit company in southern Arizona that is in good standing with BBB. Finalists for the award are:

• Empire Today
• Patio Pools & Spas
• Green Valley Cooling & Heating

Good Neighbor Award: Recognizes a company that has shown a commitment to making southern Arizona a better place through community service. The nominated business and employees play a significant role in support of local charities or community service projects. This award is open to any for-profit business in Southern Arizona that is in good standing with BBB. Finalists for the award are:

• Randall & Richards
• Snell & Wilmer, LLP
• Nextrio, LLC
• EfforlessHR, Inc.

Customer Excellence Award: The nominated business has an outstanding customer service program and a history of exceeding customers’ expectations. This award is open only to BBB Accredited Businesses in southern Arizona. Finalists for the award are:

• BRAKEmax Car Care Centers
• Pima Dermatology, PC
• Golden Eagle Distributors, Inc.

In addition to the announcement of the Torch Awards winners, NAWBO Greater Tucson will present their Women Business of the Year award at the Torch Awards ceremony.

If you would like to reserve a seat or table for this event please call (520)888-6161, or visit www.tucson.bbb.org/torchawards for more information. Reservations must be received by May 3. Winners will be named at the awards luncheon on May 9, at Starr Pass Resort in Tucson.

Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is pleased to announce that nominations for its 2013 Torch Awards will be accepted from Thursday, Jan. 3, through Jan. 31, 2013.

The 2013 BBB Torch Awards Luncheon will recognize three outstanding southern Arizona businesses on May 9, 2013 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort in Tucson.

In addition to recognizing a business in Southern Arizona for its exemplary integrity through the coveted Ethics Award, BBB will be honoring businesses in two other award categories for the third consecutive year: the Customer Excellence Award and the Good Neighbor Award.

Companies may be nominated for more than one award category and self-nominations are welcome for all awards:

• Ethics Award: Honors a business for its trustworthy and honorable business practices in four primary categories. The nominated business maintains a solid commitment to ethical business practices. This award is open to any for-profit company in southern Arizona that is in good standing with BBB.
• Good Neighbor Award: Recognizes a company that has shown a commitment to making southern Arizona a better place through community service. The nominated business and employees play a significant role in support of local charities. This award is open to any for-profit business in Southern Arizona that is in good standing with BBB.
• Customer Excellence Award: The nominated business has an outstanding customer service program and a history of exceeding customers’ expectations. This award is open only to BBB Accredited Businesses in southern Arizona.

Businesses of all sizes in Pima, Cochise, Graham, Greenlee and Santa Cruz Counties are encouraged to apply. 2012 Torch Award winners aren’t eligible for nomination until 2015. Sponsorships for the awards program are still available. For more information please visit www.tucson.bbb.org/torchawards or call 520-888-6161.

Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona will be hosting its 2012 Torch Awards luncheon on April 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Starr Pass Resort in Tucson. A limited number of tickets are available to the public; to reserve yours please call (520)888-6161.

Finalists for this year’s awards were selected by two panels of judges independent of BBB, representing both non-profit and for-profit organizations in Southern Arizona.

This year BBB is honoring a total of nine companies in three award categories:

Ethics Award: Honors a business for its trustworthy and honorable business practices in four primary categories. The nominated business maintains a solid commitment to ethical business practices in every aspect of its operation. This award is open to any for-profit company in southern Arizona that is in good standing with BBB. Finalists for the award are:

• Empire Today
• REALM Environments
• McCaleb Construction

Good Neighbor Award: Recognizes a company that has shown a commitment to making southern Arizona a better place through community service. The nominated business and employees play a significant role in support of local charities or community service projects. This award is open to any for-profit business in Southern Arizona that is in good standing with BBB. Finalists for the award are:

• AGM Container Controls
• Snell & Wilmer, LLP
• Golden Eagle Distributors

Customer Excellence Award: The nominated business has an outstanding customer service program and a history of exceeding customers’ expectations. This award is open only to BBB Accredited Businesses in southern Arizona. Finalists for the award are:

• Bill’s Home Service
• Rite-Way Ventilating Company
• Temperature-Control, Inc.

Winners and two finalists in each category will be named at the awards luncheon on April 26. Visit www.tucson.bbb.org/torchawards for more information. Reservations must be received by April 20.