Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona recognized ten local companies at the 2013 Torch Awards Luncheon Thursday at JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort in Tucson.

The event featured Master of Ceremonies Tom McNamara of KVOA Channel 4 and keynote speaker Michael Clayton, best-selling author and leadership guru.

Winners were honored in three categories: the Ethics Award, the Good Neighbor Award, and the Customer Excellence Award:

The Ethics Award: Honors a business for its trustworthy and honorable business practices in four primary categories.

• Winner: Empire Today 
• Finalist: Patio Pools & Spas
• Finalist: Green Valley Cooling & Heating

The Good Neighbor Award: Recognizes a company that has shown a commitment to making southern Arizona a better place through community service.

• Winner: Snell & Wilmer, LLP
• Finalist: Randall & Richards
• Finalist: Nextrio, LLC
• Finalist: EffortlessHR, Inc.

The Customer Excellence Award: Recognizes businesses that have an outstanding customer service program and a history of exceeding customers’ expectations.

• Winner: Golden Eagle Distributors         
• Finalist: Pima Dermatology
• Finalist: BRAKEmax Car Care Centers

More than 70 Southern Arizona businesses were nominated for the program, which was sponsored by Rich Dad, Desert Sports & Fitness, Snap Fitness, Philip P. Pappas II, Ph.d. of Ameriprise Financial, Inglis Florists, Allegra, Nova Home Loans, Inside Tucson Business, Alliance Bank of Arizona, Sundt Construction, The Law Offices of J. Marc Montijo, Jim Click Automotive Group, and NAWBO.

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 the finalists for the 2013 Torch Awards, to be held 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., May 9 at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort in Tucson.

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 ten 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
• 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.

Winners will be named at the awards luncheon on May 9. 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.