RALEIGH, N.C. (March 18, 2009) —
Dr. Stephen Scott, president of Wake Technical Community College, announced today that 29 companies have received Business Champions Awards. The annual awards, presented by Wake Tech and Business Leader magazine, recognize local companies that have made a commitment to workforce development - and demonstrate their commitment by creating jobs and providing training for employees. Companies were selected in four categories that mirror Wake Tech's curricula: Applied Technologies, Business Technologies, Computers & Engineering, and Health Sciences.
The 2009 Business Champions received their awards at a luncheon hosted by WRAL news anchor Debra Morgan at the North Raleigh Hilton. They are:
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| Emcee - WRAL's Debra Morgan |
Dr. Stephen Scott Welcomes Business Champions |
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| Jeff Benes accepts Business Champion of the Year Award |
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| Jim Perry, Betty Lou Ward, Jeff Benes of Catalyst, Business Champion of the Year, President Stephen Scott, Scott Ralls |
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| 2009 Business Champions |
Applied Technologies
- ABB, Inc.
- Calibrate, Inc.
- Catalyst Manufacturing
- RTI International
- USfalcon Inc.
Computers and Engineering
- Alliance of Professionals & Consultants
- BBH Design
- BJAC
- EMC Corporation
- InfoStrength, Inc.
- Phillips Architecture
- SciQuest
- Virtual Heroes
Business Technologies
- American Research Institute
- Builders Mutual Insurance Co.
- Centrifuge Media, Inc.
- Element Customer Care
- Orion ICG LLC
- SchoolHeart, Inc.
- TriSure
Health Sciences
- BioLink Life Sciences, Inc.
- Drug Safety Alliance
- Duke Raleigh Hospital
- Eye Care Associates
- Novozymes
- PharmaLinkFHI
- Rho, Inc.
- Talecris Biotherapeutics
- WakeMed Health & Hospitals
"We're pleased to honor such a distinguished group of local companies," said Dr. Scott. "They set an excellent example, particularly in these difficult times, by continuing to create jobs and invest in employee training."
One of the 29 companies, Catalyst Manufacturing, was also named "Business Champion of the Year." Catalyst, in Morrisville, was founded by Jeff Benes and Bob Mackowiak after the two were laid off in the "dot-com" bust seven years ago. Wake Tech helped them develop a business plan and provided training to help them start their own company. Today Catalyst employs 400 workers at three locations in the U.S. and Mexico. The company plans to hire 50 more employees at its Morrisville site this year and offers a wide array of training programs, from entry level to advanced. All of Catalyst's employees, like Benes and Mackowiak, come from the ranks of the unemployed.
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