Kennesaw State announces 2013 Georgia Family Business of the Year award winners
Cox Family Enterprise Center to honor 10 family businesses in
state
KENNESAW, Ga. (Aug. 16, 2013) — Ten Georgia businesses have been named recipients of the 22nd annual Georgia Family Business of the Year awards by the Cox Family Enterprise Center in the Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University.
Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. of Atlanta won the Cox Century Award, a distinction given to a Georgia-based family firm that has been in business for at least 100 years. Founded in 1885, the company began in downtown Atlanta and has grown to 100 stores in 16 states, with family descendants still actively involved as corporate officers and board directors.
“With more than 200,000 family businesses in Georgia, these remarkable family-run firms are leaders in their communities and industries, and add significant value to the economic development of Georgia,” said Joe Astrachan, executive director of the Cox Family Enterprise Center.
The Georgia Family Business of the Year awards honor and recognize the positive contributions provided by family firms who have successfully combined business with family. Companies are chosen on the basis of proven business success, multigenerational family involvement in the business, positive linkages between family and business, contributions to industry and community, and innovative business practices and strategies.
With the exception of the Cox Century Award, award categories are based on company size. The winners and finalists of the 2013 Georgia Family Business of the Year Awards are:
Large Business (250+ employees)
Winner: Ed Voyles Automotive Group (Marietta) was started by Ed Voyles, who opened his first dealership in East Point, Ga., in 1952. Today, the Ed Voyles Automotive Group operates nine franchises — Acura, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram — with eight of those located in Cobb County. They have nearly 500 employees.
Finalists: RaceTrac Petroleum, Inc., Atlanta, and Pharma Tech Industries, Royston
Medium Business (50 to 250 employees)
Winner: General Produce, Inc. (Forest Park) was founded in 1960 and is the largest family-owned wholesale produce distributor in the Southeast. Located in the Georgia State Farmers Market, the company has more than 200 employees, including third-generation grandchildren who are cross training in many different roles within the organization.
Finalists: Repro Products, Smyrna, and ComSouth Corporation, Hawkinsville
Small Business (fewer than 50 employees)
Winner: Hill Aircraft (Atlanta) has served the aviation community with charter, aircraft sales and management, parts support, hanger and fuel services for 58 years. Started by Guy Hill, Sr., the company continues under the direction of his son and daughters. Guy Hill, Jr. is CEO, and his four sisters all work in the business.
Finalists: Moon's Pharmacy, Tifton, and Atlanta Light Bulbs, Inc., Tucker
All of the 2013 winners and finalists will be honored at the 22nd annual Georgia Family Business of the Year awards dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at The Georgia Aquarium. The annual gala is co-hosted by Georgia Trend magazine.
Other sponsors of the awards dinner include Brookwood Associates, J. Addams & Partners, Inc., J. Smith Lanier & Co., PNC Bank and Windham Brannon.
To purchase tickets or tables for the dinner, please call the Cox Family Enterprise Center at 770-423-6045 or register online at www.gafamilybusinessawards.com.
About the Cox Family Enterprise Center
Since 1987, the Cox Family Enterprise Center has been dedicated to the education, recognition and research of family businesses. As one of the first university-based centers of its kind, the center remains on the cutting edge of family business education and research and has played a critical role in serving family businesses and furthering economic development.
KENNESAW, Ga. (Aug. 16, 2013) — Ten Georgia businesses have been named recipients of the 22nd annual Georgia Family Business of the Year awards by the Cox Family Enterprise Center in the Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University.
Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. of Atlanta won the Cox Century Award, a distinction given to a Georgia-based family firm that has been in business for at least 100 years. Founded in 1885, the company began in downtown Atlanta and has grown to 100 stores in 16 states, with family descendants still actively involved as corporate officers and board directors.
“With more than 200,000 family businesses in Georgia, these remarkable family-run firms are leaders in their communities and industries, and add significant value to the economic development of Georgia,” said Joe Astrachan, executive director of the Cox Family Enterprise Center.
The Georgia Family Business of the Year awards honor and recognize the positive contributions provided by family firms who have successfully combined business with family. Companies are chosen on the basis of proven business success, multigenerational family involvement in the business, positive linkages between family and business, contributions to industry and community, and innovative business practices and strategies.
With the exception of the Cox Century Award, award categories are based on company size. The winners and finalists of the 2013 Georgia Family Business of the Year Awards are:
Large Business (250+ employees)
Winner: Ed Voyles Automotive Group (Marietta) was started by Ed Voyles, who opened his first dealership in East Point, Ga., in 1952. Today, the Ed Voyles Automotive Group operates nine franchises — Acura, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram — with eight of those located in Cobb County. They have nearly 500 employees.
Finalists: RaceTrac Petroleum, Inc., Atlanta, and Pharma Tech Industries, Royston
Medium Business (50 to 250 employees)
Winner: General Produce, Inc. (Forest Park) was founded in 1960 and is the largest family-owned wholesale produce distributor in the Southeast. Located in the Georgia State Farmers Market, the company has more than 200 employees, including third-generation grandchildren who are cross training in many different roles within the organization.
Finalists: Repro Products, Smyrna, and ComSouth Corporation, Hawkinsville
Small Business (fewer than 50 employees)
Winner: Hill Aircraft (Atlanta) has served the aviation community with charter, aircraft sales and management, parts support, hanger and fuel services for 58 years. Started by Guy Hill, Sr., the company continues under the direction of his son and daughters. Guy Hill, Jr. is CEO, and his four sisters all work in the business.
Finalists: Moon's Pharmacy, Tifton, and Atlanta Light Bulbs, Inc., Tucker
All of the 2013 winners and finalists will be honored at the 22nd annual Georgia Family Business of the Year awards dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at The Georgia Aquarium. The annual gala is co-hosted by Georgia Trend magazine.
Other sponsors of the awards dinner include Brookwood Associates, J. Addams & Partners, Inc., J. Smith Lanier & Co., PNC Bank and Windham Brannon.
To purchase tickets or tables for the dinner, please call the Cox Family Enterprise Center at 770-423-6045 or register online at www.gafamilybusinessawards.com.
About the Cox Family Enterprise Center
Since 1987, the Cox Family Enterprise Center has been dedicated to the education, recognition and research of family businesses. As one of the first university-based centers of its kind, the center remains on the cutting edge of family business education and research and has played a critical role in serving family businesses and furthering economic development.
