Outstanding Business of the year Award
Named after former Governor Deane C Davis (1900-1990) and co-sponsored by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and VermontBiz, the award is given to the Vermont company that embraces the unshakeable values that Davis brought to his office: enhancing the economy and championing the environment with the help of business and satisfied employees. Governor Deane C….
About this Event
Named after former Governor Deane C Davis (1900-1990) and co-sponsored by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and VermontBiz, the award is given to the Vermont company that embraces the unshakeable values that Davis brought to his office: enhancing the economy and championing the environment with the help of business and satisfied employees.
Governor Deane C. Davis (1900 – 1990)
In 1968, at the age of 68, when most people look forward to enjoyment of retirement, Deane C. Davis was elected governor. Governor Davis brought considerable experience to the governor’s office (1969-1973), gleaned over many years as a lawyer, corporate officer and company president. He was a strong advocate of a sound economy based in a protected environment.
Governor Davis was known as the “Environmental Governor” because of his strong support for Act 250, which was enacted during his administration. He also championed a vigorous economic development program that resulted in the creation of the highly successful regional economic development corporations.
Criteria
The Standards of Excellence are the criteria that will be used in judging the nominees for the Outstanding Business of the Year Award. The following questions should be used as guidelines and examples for companies as they prepare their submissions for nomination. Please note, this award is designated to a for-profit business as the judging committee will take the growth of sales into consideration.
Demonstrated success by:
* Continued growth in number of employees and/or sales.
Does the company have a clear mission statement that allows sustainable growth for itself and its employees? Does the company’s goals and objectives create incentive for sustained growth? Does the company’s marketing strategy keep up with a constantly changing market place?
* Commitment of company resources, including employees to community projects.
Does the company have a community relations function at its corporate level? Does the company encourage employees to participate in community projects? Are company officers involved in community projects?
* Recognition of the environment as a natural and economic resource for Vermont.
Does company policy incorporate Vermont’s natural environment in the production or marketing of its product(s)? Is the company actively involved in the development of local, regional or state natural and economic environmental policies?
* Creation of a positive work environment for all employees.
Does the company involve its employees in operational policy creation? Does the company create incentives for employee participation in company and community projects? Does the company’s human resources policies provide for meaningful and continuing employee evaluation?
Standards of Excellence:
The Outstanding Business of the Year Award is the prestigious recognition of a company in Vermont who has met the highest standards of excellence in the past year to improving its sales, the work environment for its employees, and its contribution of its resources to its community.
The honoree has demonstrated success through:
- Continued growth in number of employees or sales
- Commitment of company resources, including employees to community projects
- Recognition of the environment as a natural and economic resource for Vermont
- Creation of a positive work environment for all employees
The economic well-being of Vermont rests squarely on the success of its businesses, large and small, which provide jobs, products, and services to consumers in Vermont, across the United States and around the world. Many companies in Vermont fully exemplify the Outstanding Vermont Business Standards of Excellence. They have used these standards as a guideline to improve their business, their employees and their community. These standards are relevant to all businesses, small and large.
Meeting the highest standards of excellence is the direct cause of the success of any business. Even if the market is ready and consumers are willing, the ability to attain the highest standards of excellence combined with a clear, definable mission statement is vital to any company’s longevity.
Eligibility:
To be eligible the nominated business must have its corporate headquarters in Vermont for at least 10 years. Subsidiaries of international corporations may also be nominated if their U.S. headquarters are based in Vermont and if they operate largely autonomously. Please note, this award is designated to a for-profit business as the judging committee will take the growth of sales into consideration.
General Information:
Anyone may nominate a business for the Outstanding Business of the Year Award. The nomination may be made by the business itself, a government agency, or interested individuals.
The screening committee may request additional information from nominators, references or the company itself for the judge’s consideration. All entries and supplementary materials will become the property of the VermontBiz and will not be returned. Decisions of the judging committee are final.
Because the Outstanding Business of the Year Award is designed to recognize the total commitment of a company, nominations should describe the entire scope of the company’s mission.
Accompanying Materials:
The online nomination form allows you to submit up to three supporting documents to your online nomination. Supporting documents are optional. Please submit as much background material as you feel necessary to support the statement. Additional materials may include, but are not limited to samples of company policies, mission statements, company annual reports, employee newsletters, program evaluation forms. If you are unable to submit accompanying materials online you may mail them to: VermontBiz, 365 Dorset Street, South Burlington, VT 05403.
Confidential Information:
In order for the Selection Committee to properly evaluate each application, it is helpful for us to have relevant information requested (sales figures and employee count). This information is CONFIDENTIAL and will not be shared with anyone other than the Selection Committee. Copies will be destroyed following the selection. Please include this information with your application.
OUTSTANDING BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS
1990 WALLACE ENTERPRISES
1991 C & S WHOLESALEGROCERS
1992 MCKENZIE MEATS
1993 PERRY RESTAURANT GROUP
1994 GREEN MOUNTAIN COFFEE ROASTERS
1995 VERMONT HEATING & VENTILATING
1996 MACKMOLDING COMPANY
1997 SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH RESORT
1998 VERMONT COUNTRY STORE
1999 CABOT CREAMERY
2000 WAITSFIELD CHAMPLAIN VALLEY TELECOM
2001 WILD APPLE GRAPHICS
2002 NRG SYSTEMS
2003 HUBBARDTON FORGE
2004 IDX
2005 KING ARTHUR FLOUR
2006 RSG
2007 SYMQUEST GROUP INC
2008 NATIONAL LIFE GROUP
2009 BIOTEK INSTRUMENTS INC
2010 SMALL DOG ELECTRONICS
2011 FOLEY FAMILY OF COMPANIES
2012 GW PLASTICS, INC.
2013 DEALER.COM
2014 CHAMPLAIN CABLE
2015 PC Construction
2016 Marathon Health
2017 Vermont Mutual Insurance Group
2018 Green Mountain Power
2019 Chroma Technology Corporation
2020 Lawson’s Finest Liquids
2021 Healthy Living
2022 Hickok & Boardman Insurance Group
2023 Bourne’s Energy
2024 Union Mutual
Winners
Union Mutual named 2024 Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year
VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce have named Union Mutual Insurance Co. as their Out-standing Business of the Year for 2024. The award was presented to company officials at the opening session of the Vermont Economic Conference Jan. 28 at the University of Vermont’s Dudley Davis Center.
Photo: CEO Lisa Keysar accepts the 2024 Outstanding Business of the Year Award on behalf of Union Mutual Insurance. VermontBiz photo.
The annual award recognizes Vermont businesses that significantly contribute to the state’s economy and the well-being of its residents. Recent winners have included Bourne’s Energy (2023), Hickok & Boardman Insurance Group (2022) and Healthy Living Market & Café (2021).
“We have so many outstanding businesses in Vermont that reflect our state’s innovative and community-driven spirit,“ said Vermont Chamber President Amy Spear. “Union Mutual’s longevity, remarkable community impact and forward-thinking business practices align perfectly with the core values we celebrate in this award.“
VermontBIz Publisher John Boutin added that Union Mutual “exemplifies the best of what Vermont businesses bring to our communities.
“From its long-standing record of financial stability to its multifaceted approach to community service, Union Mutual is a wonderful example of how success and responsibility can go hand in hand,“ Boutin said.
A Legacy of Community Commitment
Founded in 1874, Union Mutual, headquartered in Montpelier, has been woven into the fabric of Vermont for more than a century and a half. Throughout its history, the company has combined strong financial performance with a deep sense of social responsibility, supporting a range of community initiatives across the region.
Union Mutual exemplifies the Principles of Excellence in all aspects of operations, sustainable growth and community responsibility. Its mission statement — “We are here so you can live life well protected“ — stands for its commitment to be a solvent, financially strong company for its policyholders. The company’s vision and values reflect its dedication to a professional and inclusive environment through relationships with its employees, business partners and agents.
Union Mutual celebrated its 150th year as a Vermont-based business in 2024. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of its employees, strong relationships with its independent agency partners, and loyalty and trust of its New England policyholders.
As it looks to the future, Union Mutual is committed to remaining a top Vermont employer, leveraging sophisticated analytics to develop robust products, finding innovative ways to support the independent agency distribution channel, and providing superior customer service to its more than 100,000 policyholders.
“For 150 years, Union Mutual has strived to be a reliable and forward-thinking partner to our policyholders and our community,“ said company President and CEO Lisa Keysar. “Receiving the Outstanding Business of the Year Award is an honor that reflects our team’s enduring commitment to Vermont. We believe deeply in giving back, fostering a positive work environment and ensuring Vermonters can ’live life well protected.’“
Through its charitable giving fund, Union Mutual committed in 2024 to three major giving programs, while also supporting other organizations throughout Vermont. Selecting organizations for a significant partnership allows Union Mutual to make a more meaningful financial commitment, while also partnering to support organizations with volunteer resources as needed. The organizations partnering with Union Mutual for 2024 include Special Olympics Vermont, the Kelly Brush Foundation and Hunger Free Vermont.
Union Mutual’s leadership in corporate responsibility is evident in both its environmental initiatives and employee-focused culture. Underscoring its dedication to sustainability, the company maintains a solar array at its Montpelier headquarters, pursues paperless processes for policyholders and partners with One Tree Planted for every new paperless policy.
Union Mutual established an employee-driven Environmental, Social, Governance Committee, comprising representatives from all departments, that explores and recommends initiatives to improve upon each category within the company’s strategic plan and everyday operations.
With some employees celebrating 20, 30 and even 40-plus years of service to the company, it’s no secret that Union Mutual is a great place to work. The company has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Vermont for 11 consecutive years. Earning this honor year after year is a testament to the collaborative, innovative and inspiring work atmosphere its talented employees maintain each and every day.
The company encourages open communication and transparency, qualities that continue to evolve as Union Mutual adapts a hybrid workplace flexibility program. Employees receive daily updates on the company’s performance and the role they play in the results. The human resources department facilitates routine employee evaluations, including the Best Places to Work in Vermont survey as well as an internal survey for employees.
In 2024, Union Mutual announced a significant strategic decision to affiliate with Massachusetts-based Norfolk & Dedham Insurance Group. The affiliation, approved by both the Vermont and Massachusetts departments of insurance, was finalized in November.
Under this new structure, both the N&D and Union Mutual entities will continue to operate post-affiliation. The companies’ goal through the affiliation process is to continue to build upon the success of each companies’ individual success for the mutual benefit of their employees, policyholders and agency partners.
Photo: Union Mutual accepts the 2024 Outstanding Business of the Year Award. VermontBiz photo.
For 35 years, VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce have partnered to present the Outstanding Business of the Year Award.
Sponsors
VermontBiz Events are an excellent opportunity for you to show your support for these growing companies, and to put your company in front of thousands of attendees and exhibitors.
Presented By
