The Combined Rotary Clubs of Pensacola, along with the University of West Florida College of Business, established the Ethics in Business Award to recognize individuals from Northwest Florida who exemplify the concept of “service above self.†The award has served to increase awareness of the importance of integrity and ethical behavior in business.
Two awards are handed out each year, one for employers with 99 or fewer employees and one for employers with 100 or more.
Quint and Rishy Studer won the award designated for employers with 100 employees or more. The winners of the 2012 Gulf Breeze Rotary Citizens of the Year award earlier this year, the Studers are accepting this award because of their significant contributions to business in the area and the high code of honesty, integrity and consistency they adhere to in their business and community activities.
Chris Jones, a property appraiser in Pensacola, won the award designated for employers with 99 or fewer employees. Jones’ high ethical standards as the elected property appraiser during one of the most tumultuous times in Escambia County history were commended by the Rotary Club.
This year’s Ethics in Business Award is presented on today at noon at New World Landing in Pensacola.
Nominees were selected for the awards based on the following criteria:
· Adherence to high ethical standards of honesty, integrity and consistency in dealing with employees, contractors and customers, while positively enhancing the economic well-being of the firm’s stakeholders and providing hobs, opportunities and profits.
· Participation in activities that are beneficial to the community beyond the provision of economic benefits.
· Service as a leader or innovator in the firm’s business sector.
“Business ethics is an increasingly important component of business success,†said Ed Ranelli, dean of UWF’s College of Business.