As part of Directions 2015, the Journal Star invited readers to share honors that businesses or employees received in 2014 as best in the state, region or nation.
Also included is a recap of the major awards presented by business organizations locally.
Justin Feickert, vice president of sales and marketing for Midstates Group Inc., was honored as an “Up and Coming Printing Industry Executive Under the age of 40” from Printing Impressions, a publication for commercial printers. The Midstates Group is a private, family-owned print and media company comprised of Midstates Inc. and Quality Quick Print in Aberdeen, South Dakota; Jacob North Print & Media Solutions and A to Z Print, Design, Mail in Lincoln; and Panther Graphics in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Firespring became Nebraska's first Certified B Corp. The certification was granted by B Lab, a nonprofit organization that measures private companies' social impact. In addition, Firespring earned Benefit Corp. status from the state of Nebraska. It was the first company to earn this recognition after the legislation was passed last year.
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Gary L. Novotny, owner of Gary Michael's Clothiers, said the store has been selected as one of 13 men's clothing stores from the United States to participate in an export project endorsed by the Italian government. The Italian Trade Commission invited Novotny and other store owners to Italy in an effort of collaboration to increase their exportation to the United States and preview new designer clothing lines. Gary Michael's Clothiers is at 6000 Village Drive.
Lincoln Surgical Hospital was voted Lincoln's No. 1 Best Place to Work for large businesses in 2014. Other recognition for the hospital at 1710 S. 70th St.
* Recognized by HealthStream's Excellence through Insight Award as a Top Small Hospital for Overall Inpatient Satisfaction;
* Rated one of the Top 100 hospitals in the nation for patient experience by Women Certified;
* One of Healthgrades America's 100 best hospitals for joint replacement and recipient of Patient Safety Excellence Award;
* Five-Star recipient for total knee replacement (nine years in a row) and for total hip replacement (four years in a row);
* Recipient of 2013 Nebraska Safety Council Spirit Award.
Automated Systems Inc. earned the 2014 Innovative Solutions Award -- eBanking Solution from BankNews for its Tablet Banking Mobile App. The award is designed to recognize companies that have introduced or significantly enhanced products to help community banks become more efficient, expand their capabilities and better serve customers. The competition featured businesses from across the nation and recipients were chosen by BankNews readers.
John Henry’s Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning received the Better Business Bureau Integrity Award, Angie’s List Super Service Award for HVAC and Plumbing Service, KFOR Best of Lincoln Award, Lincoln Journal Star Lincoln’s Choice Winner and the Lennox Centurion Award. John Henry's is a locally owned and operated company started in 1966 and owned by John Henry "Jack" Zohner. It has 63 employees.
Southeast Community College’s Lincoln Adult Education program was recognized in 2014 for exceeding performance standards set by the state of Nebraska. Nearly 1,300 students (approximately 800 GED and basic skills and 500 ESL) were served.
Upon entering the program, students are placed into 11 academic levels. Local performance measures are achieved when students attain the required number of classroom hours and increase their academic levels.
SCC’s Adult Education program achieved a performance rate of 129 percent.
Nebraska Folklife Network was awarded the American Folklore Society's 2014 Dorothy Howard Folklore and Education Prize in November.
The national award is given to the person or organization whose work most effectively encourages kindergarten through 12th-grade educators or students to use or study folklore. It honors both Howard, who pioneered the use of folklore to teach writing skills, and those who have followed her lead.
The prize was awarded for Home in the Heartland: Nebraska’s Sudanese Cultures, the latest in a series of multimedia cultural education trunks for Nebraska elementary and middle schools.
Three Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital nurses have been named Best Nurses in Nebraska. Amy Ferris, Jody Macke and Jan Muldoon were named three of the top 10 nurses in Nebraska.
Muldoon was also selected as No. 1 in the state. All three are registered nurses at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital and chosen through the Lincoln Journal Star’s annual Best Nurse in Nebraska contest.
Muldoon has worked on the Ventilator and Special Needs Unit for 23 years and treats her patients with respect, dignity and kindness. She enjoys bonding with patients and their families.
Ferris' personality and contagious smile affect patients every day. Macke is often the first point of contact for Madonna’s pediatric patients and families and, in her 11 years at Madonna, has made a significant difference in the lives of patients.
Bobby Huerta, executive sous chef at the Legacy Retirement Communities, was recognized as one of “30 under 30” in the food service industry by Food Service Director Magazine. Huerta was chosen for his dedication to continued learning and leadership skills. Huerta is also a certified health care chef.
Tom Henning, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Assurity Life Insurance Co., was presented the Burnham Yates Citizenship Award by the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.
Tom Lorenz, general manager of SMG Lincoln, received the Roger T. Larson Community Builder Award. The chamber also honored six other businesses and individuals with Celebrate Business Awards in 2014.
* The Cornerstone Award, given annually to a large employer that contributes significantly to the local economy, went to design and engineering firm Olsson Associates.
* Hexagon Lincoln, which makes composite tanks for the distribution and transport of natural gas, was named Manufacturer of the Year.
* Paul and Stephanie Jarrett, owners of Bulu Box, won the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.
* Sadoff Iron & Metal Co. was named Green Business of the Year.
* The Tourism Development Award went to the Lied Center for Performing Arts.
* The Small Business of the Year award went to Zipline Brewing Co.
Olsson Associates' new headquarters building at 601 P St. received the Significant Private Development Award from the Downtown Lincoln Association.
The Significant Public Development award went to the P Street District and Tower Square.
The DLA gave out four other Impact Awards in 2014:
* The Residential Development Award went to Tru-Built construction for its redevelopment of a boarding house at 1421 P St.
* Marcus Corp. received the Business Leadership Award for its investment in downtown, including the purchase and renovation of The Cornhusker Marriott and remodeling of its theaters at the Grand Cinema.
* Clay Smith, a co-founder and general partner of Speedway Properties, was honored with the Downtown Champion Award for the company's investments in redeveloping historic buildings.
* The Jarretts of Bulu Box received the Young Entrepreneur Award.
