The CAMROSE BOOSTER October 25, 2011
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Tien Rostad named Small Business of the Year By Dan Jensen
Tien Rostad was named Small Business of the Year at the Camrose Chamber of Commerce's 27th annual Small Business Awards Banquet Oct. 19. A Camrose accounting firm owned by the brother sister team of Doug Tien and Shirley Rostad, Tien Rostad employs over 15 fulltime and one part-time staff. "They have been accountants for 11 of the past 25 Small Business winners," said award presenter Diane Hutchinson. "Their business is a certified training office within their field and they have guided many students to achieve their accounting destinations." Tien is past president of the Camrose Chamber of Commerce, past chair of St. Mary's Hospital and Camrose Lions Club, trustee for the CA Education Foundation and trustee for the Alberta Law Foundation. He presently serves as Deacon at St. Francis Xavier Church. Rostad is current treasurer and incoming president for the Rotary Club of Camrose, a former member of the Augustana University College board, former finance chair for the Bethany Group governing board, and former treasurer for Centra Cam.
Tien Rostad co-owner Shirley Rostad accepts the Small Business of the Year Award from Camrose Chamber of Com merce past president Shauna Feth.
She has been involved with the Camrose Skating Club and Dance Academy for several years. "Doug and Shirley have raised their families in the com-
Community Spirit Award goes to OPT
munity and have been a v ery strong, positive influence on Camrose and its surrounding areas," said Hutchinson. The award was accepted by
Rostad, who expressed appreciation to the staff at Tien Rostad for "making it fun to come to work every day," and to the clients. "Doug and I s tarted our practice in 1979 without a single client and we have been well supported in the community," said Rostad. "Our clients have given us incredible work to do and interesting projects, and taught us so much. "We have learned so m uch about how to run a business and how to contribute back to the community." Other nominees for the Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year award were: Business I.Q. Training, owned and operated by Lisa Rohr; Camrose Community Connections, owned by Gerry McCracken; Fox TaeKwon-Do, owned by Glenn Fox; and NuEdge Construction, owned and operated by Wayne and Michelle Bowman. The Camrose Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year award is presented annually to an independently owned and operated business with 25 or less employees. Guidelines used by the small business week committee in the selection of a w in-
ner include significant business achievement within the last three years, sustained financial performance, involvement in business and/or professional associations and community activities, and demonstrated a high level of customer service excellence. Dee-Jay Plumbing and Heating received the award in 2010, The Auto Shoppe in 2009, Creative Bedrooms in 2008, Electro Tel in 2007, Camrose Cycle in 2006 and Richardson's Jewellery in 2005. Recipients before that were: Windwood Signs & G raphics, 2004; Cobblers & Cra ftsman, 2003; Zetsen Master Builders, 2002; Big Eagle Hydro-Vac Service, 2001; Draperies Plus Furnishings & D esign, 2000; Panhandle Productions, 1999; Peterson’s Instruments, 1998; Camrose Veterinary Group, 1997; The Shoe Factory, 1996; The Camrose Booster, 1995; The Wardrobe Unique, 1994; Jubilee Construction, 1993; Pop’lar Books, 1992; Candler Art Gallery, 1991; Canadian Nurs-ette, 1990; Bonnie Hutchinson Enterprises, 1989; Central Agencies, 1988; Camrose Custom Cabinets, 1987; Pedersen’s Florists, 1986; and The Camrose Canadian, 1985.
Business Excellence Award presented to Selmac Sales Ltd.
By Dan Jensen
The Camrose Chamber presented its 2011 Community Spirit Award to OPT Oct. 19. OPT's Bernice and Rod Masson, Warren and Jayne Gendrea, Roger Masson and Chelsea Wearmouth have been providing waste removal services for the last 12 years. "They've grown their business with 800 plus big bins within the city and county of Camrose," said award presenter Diane Hutchinson. OPT has been involved in numerous events and fundraisers, generously sponsoring events and donating items. Organizations and events that have benefitted from their support include the Camrose Open Door, CAFCL, STARS, Ducks Unlimited, Relay for Life, the MS Bike Tour, Bawlf Playschool, Bawlf 4-H Clubs, Camrose hockey teams, the Bawlf rookie ball team, Camrose Spring Rodeo and Camrose Show and Shine. "This business provides a very valuable service to the community," stated the nomination. "They give back every chance they get and just want people to have a better life. Other nominees for the Community Spirit Award were Battle River Hockey Plus owners Dave Borman and Kris Lindberg and the Camrose Spirals Jump Rope Club. Bowman and Lindberg enjoy employing young people, especially Kodiaks' players and Augustana students. "They treat all staff with respect and encourage them to pursue community involvement whenever they get an opportunity to do so," said the award nominator. "Their community involvement may be underrated because you may undoubtedly pass by something which was donated by their business without even realizing it." The Camrose Spirals is a n ot-for-profit parent-governed organization started by Gerald Prediger that has been in operation for over 20 years. Its jump rope programs are delivered by six coaches, 21 junior athlete instructors, 70 recreational athletes and 35 competitive athletes. The Camrose Spirals have been featured in a movie, appeared on MTV and in Edmonton Journal articles, attended national rope skipping championships and established several local and provincial summer camps. "It's an organization and club that is c ommitted to providing an extraordinary athletic climate for community children by encouraging physical activity as part of the daily routine for life," said Hutchinson. The Community Spirit Award is p resented by the Chamber of Commerce to a business or organization in recognition of significant contributions to the community (either monetarily, gifts in kind or volunteer hours), significant achievement within the past three years, participation in community events, and promotion of the area through events, organizations and general involvement
Chamber of Commerce past president Shauna Feth presents the Business Excellence Award to Selmac Sales Ltd.'s marketing manager Brenda Hawryluk and sales manager Norris Sheppard. By Dan Jensen
The Camrose Chamber of Commerce presented a B usiness Excellence Award to Selmac Sales Ltd. at its 27th annual Small Business Awards Banquet Oct. 19. Selmac is a full line large agricultural dealership that originated in Stony Plain. Selmac's community involvement was illustrated in the case of a sev en-year-old Spruce Grove boy by the name of Dagon, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2008. The business decided to help with the family's financial cause and had Dagon draw a picture on a red bandana. "They had 2,000 bandanas made up," said the award nominator, "selling them to raise funds for the family. Response was overwhelming and the happy result was some financial relief for the family." Selmac also supports City
Slickers, a program that educates over 1,200 children in urban schools on the origin of their food, Big Valley Jamboree, Jaywalkers' Jamboree, the Daysland Golf Tournament, Festival of Trees, 4-H events, and numerous community events in Lougheed and Stony Plain. Selmac has a s trong belief in environmental leadership, and has a v ery specific marketing plan to ensure superior customer service excellence. Other nominees for the Business Excellence Award were Camrose Booster, Camrose Chrysler and On Track Kuntz & Company. The Camrose Booster is a family-owned business that employs 17 full-time and 13 parttime employees. Owner Blain Fowler serves as chair of the operation committee of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame, and chair of the Battle River Community Foundation.
The Booster has generously donated to over 70 community organizations in the past year, including Reading University, the Battle River Community Foundation and the Bailey Theatre. "They are very proud to be part of the Camrose and area community and take their role very seriously," said the award nominator. "They understand that they have an opportunity to write the history of Camrose each week." Camrose Chrysler hosted a very successful May, 2011 promotion in which $100 was donated to the Camrose Sea Serpents swim club for every vehicle sold. The business has also supported the Camrose Kodiaks, Spring Classic Rodeo, minor hockey and baseball, Augustana Vikings, 4-H and Ducks Unlimited. Continued on page 16