Carmel Chamber Announces Business of the Year
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowJ.C. Hart Co. has been honored as this year's Business of the Year by the Carmel Chamber of Commerce. The organization recognized several companies and individuals Wednesday at its annual Images of Excellence Awards.
December 10, 2014
News Release
CARMEL, Ind. – J.C. Hart Company was named Business of the Year at the Carmel Chamber's December 10 annual awards luncheon at Ritz Charles. Awards were also presented for Young Professional of the Year, Look – New Construction, Look – Renovation, Green, Most Valuable Volunteer and Lifetime Achievement.
Applause Business of the Year Award
The Applause – Business of the Year award is presented to a business based on their success in growth and stability, commitment to quality, creative and unique solutions to challenges, entrepreneurial spirit and overall contribution to the community
The Business of the Year Award was presented to J.C. Hart Company, a 38 year-old business with 100 employees and over 1,000 residential units in Hamilton County that they manage. In 2014, the company received six industry awards, including property management company of the year; maintenance technician of the year; two best floor plan awards; best curb appeal; and best clubhouse/leasing office. The company also has a strong philanthropic focus on education, United Way and a commitment to individualizing employee giving with company matches and paid days off to volunteer.
Young Professional of the Year Award
The Chamber’s newest award, presented for the first time in 2013, recognizes a young professional between the ages of 21 and 40 who has demonstrated leadership and passion for making a difference in the community based on leadership, mentorship, community involvement and entrepreneurship.
Katie Smardo, Lake City Bank, was presented the Young Professional of the Year award. As a leader, Katie has served as co-chair and is now chair of Arrows, the Chamber’s young professionals group. She supports local arts efforts through The Scene, the Center for the Performing Arts’ young professionals group; volunteers for United Way; is a graduate of the Hamilton County Leadership Academy; participates in Young Professionals of Central Indiana; and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. A 12-year member of Rotary International, Katie has been elected District Governor and will serve in that role in 2016.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Harold Kaiser Award for Lifetime Achievement was presented to Nick Kestner in recognition of his lifetime commitment to business in the Carmel community.
As a longtime advocate for the community, Nick was a taskforce member for the Homeplace, Old Town and Range Line Road overlays; a charter member of the Monon Greenway Committee; on the Carmel Clay Parks Board; and an original member of the Hamilton County Alternative Task Force, the group behind the construction of multi-use paths throughout the county. He is a current Carmel Rotarian and past president of the group, and a multi-year Carmel Dads’ Club sponsor. He has served terms on Carmel Plan Commission and Carmel Chamber Board. Nick is also a recipient of the City of Carmel’s Range Line Road Pioneer Award.
MV2 – Most Valuable Volunteer
The Chamber’s Most Valuable Volunteer award, established to celebrate and recognize outstanding volunteer contributions by an individual who also works full-time, was presented to Rhonda Kile of Alphagraphics of Carmel.
Rhonda’s generosity has benefited many organizations and causes by holding an annual food drive that has collected as much as 6,000 pounds of food in some years; supporting returning veterans by matching them with pets through the Pets Healing Vets organization; and putting together a team to raise $15,000 for Race for the Cure. Through her efforts and organization, she has involved staff members and developed a strong team of volunteers in the workplace.
Look Awards – Renovation & New Construction
Nominees for both Look awards were judged on the quality of work, appropriateness of the construction to its surroundings and the contribution of the project to the overall look of the community.
The Look award for Renovation was presented to Case Design/Remodeling for their remodel and expansion at 99 E. Carmel Dr. The staff team designed a complete interior and exterior renovation and landscaping that includes an outdoor patio in what was once an outdated and vacant 14,250 square foot retail center.
The Look award for New Construction was presented to Bickford of Carmel Assisted Living & Memory Care, located at 5829 E. 116th St. The company made significant efforts to achieve the look of a home near the woods by their selection of materials and attention to detail, along with the preservation of many of the large trees on the property.
Carmel Green Award
The Carmel Green award recognizes a Carmel organization, company or association that is solving environmental challenges using innovative and green practices or by setting up creative partnerships to enhance the environment.
This year's award was presented to Delta Faucet for their Responsible, Resourceful platform that touches consumer and trade audiences throughout the country. Delta has led the industry in the development of relevant technology that helps consumers save water through its WaterSense labeled faucets; in 2014, Delta Faucet became a three-time winner of the WaterSense Manufacturing Partner of the Year.
Award sponsors are Bose McKinney & Evans, LLP; Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream; enVista; Kaiser Real Estate Companies; The National Bank of Indianapolis; Pedcor Companies; Vine & Branch, Inc.
About the Carmel Chamber
The Carmel Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven organization committed to enhancing our members' success, fostering economic growth and contributing to our community’s quality of life. Information is available at carmelchamber.com.
Source: Carmel Chamber of Commerce