First Place Winners

Bigelow Tea Company - Large Business Category
Ruth Campbell Bigelow was a successful New York interior designer, but with so many of her customers going to or just returning from World War II, the need for an interior designer decreased and Ruth and her husband David sought a business that would be more secure.  A tea-lover, Ruth and her husband developed “Constant Comment,” in their own kitchen, and Bigelow Tea Company was born in 1945.  While Ruth was busy making tea, David would hand-paint their tin can labels.  The family later decided to move the business to Connecticut, a more successful market at that time, and in 1955, they hired their first employee, who remains employed with the company to this day. 

The 1960’s proved dynamic for the company as Ruth’s son, David and his wife Eunice, took over the management of the company.  They introduced multiple products including flavored teas, traditional teas, herbal teas, decaffeinated teas, green teas and most recently, honey spreads and dessert coffees.  They grew so successfully, that they added three large facilities in Fairfield, Boise Idaho and Louisville Kentucky.  They also added two more family members, daughters Lori and Cindi, and now employ 330 nationwide.

The Bigelows have been very innovative, introducing the concept of the sealed, foil wrapped tea bags to the American market.  This specially packaged tea bag gave the company a distinguishing feature, but also allowed the company to achieve wider distribution and marketing opportunities.  They greatly support their workforce and last year, they placed 1st runner-up in the large business category of the National Family Business of the Year Award.  Tomorrow, the family will receive the “Entrepreneur of the Year Award,” but tonight, we commend their efforts for serving as a role model to so many. 

Amodio Worldwide Moving & Storage Company, Inc. -Medium Business Category
Established in 1919 by Frank Amodio, Amodio Worldwide Moving & Storage has grown from a one-truck operation to a national carrier with over 175 pieces of rolling stock.  With the addition of Frank’s son Lou, and most recently within the past 2 decades, Frank’s grandchildren, Gerry, Frank and John Peter, Amodio has succeeded in becoming one of the largest bookers of household goods in the nation, ranking among Mayflower Transit’s top 20 producers in booked revenue, and ranked 14th in hauling of household goods. 

After a growth spurt in the 1960’s and 1970’s, Lou, the founder’s son, came up with a concept of “White Glove Movers,” a new way to service customers.  The service was to help clients move from the beginning until settlement into a new home, oftentimes enlisting the help of electricians, plumbers and even maids to make the transition more comfortable.  Clients would be serviced with full packing, moving and unpacking by the same moving team – a concept that wasn’t picked up by the industry until years later.

Amodio Worldwide Moving & Storage boasts many divisions including Amodio Moving and Storage Division, Amodio Commercial Division and Amodio International Export-Import Division amongst others.  In addition, the company has become involved in real estate, peaking in 1995 with over 1.5 million square feet of owned and managed real estate in Hartford and New Haven counties.

The Burnside Ice Company - Small Business Category
Albert McClellan founded The Burnside Ice Company in 1911.  While overseas in World War II, Albert’s son, Cliff, made arrangements to purchase the business from his father.  Bob, Cliff’s son, began slinging ice at the age of 7, and took over the reins in 1971 after studying business at college.  Since then, Bob’s 2 sons, Jason and Case, and wife Gail have joined him at the helm.  But because the usage of ice has changed drastically since 1911, Bob and his family needed to explore other ventures to keep the main business alive, dabbling in many ventures since. 

In 1972, Bob founded a sales company entitled Ice Cold Equipment (I.C.E) to sell ice equipment and supplies to other ice manufacturers throughout the country, as well as amusement parks and airline catering firms.  They also began distributing bottled water, naming it “Nutmegger Natural Springwater.”  Soon thereafter, in 1991, they installed a water system to tap into their 400-foot pure water well to manufacture their “Frosty Nuggets” Ice Crystals – a new type of ice cube.  Most recently, in 2000, the Olde Burnside Brewing Company was born, brewing a distinctive light Scottish ale they call “Ten Penny Ale.”   Bob’s son, Jason, is largely responsible for this division, and Ten Penny Ale is now distributed state-wide and gathering a loyal following.

Bob’s professional highlight came in 1995 when he went in on a joint effort with Frigidaire and Dynoplast to manufacture “ICE BOXX,” an all-plastic ice merchandiser which Bob owns the patent to, to replace the rusty metal merchandisers.  Most recently, he’s also contracted with an ice merchandiser manufacturer to design a special ice cabinet, which combines both ice and soda into one unit with one refrigeration system, which would free up valuable floor space in grocery stores.  It’s for thinking outside the box, reinventing their business, being highly civic and community oriented and unafraid of risk that has enabled The Burnside Ice Company to survive for over 90 years. 

First Runners-Up

Geissler's Supermarket - Large Business Category
The Geissler family immigrated to the United States from Germany in the late 1800’s, coming to America where it was believed that money grew on trees.  Adolph, the 11th of 12 children, went to school where his education lasted through his ninth grade.  In actuality, it was Adolph’s younger brother who opened the grocery shop in the family home, but soon realized that he wanted to go back to school.  With $2,500 saved from his work as a bookkeeper at a tobacco company, Adolph purchased his brother’s small grocery shop and began collecting orders, driving deliveries in his Model T Roadster and supporting his sister and family with jobs at his small grocery store.

Geissler’s growth was nothing short of astonishing.  In 1949, Adolph purchased his second store and his only daughter Mary, along with husband Jim Nilsson, Sr., joined the growing grocery business.  Since Adolph’s retirement in 1966, the store added three more facilities and now serves the communities of East Windsor, Granby, South Windsor, Windsor and Agawam, Massachusetts.  Management transitioned to the third Generation as Jim Nilsson, Jr. became President in 1995.  Now, Geissler’s employs 14 family members, has over 500 employees and has recently hit their highest volume ever at 68 million dollars in 2001.

The Nilsson’s are highly civic-oriented and remain a close-knit family, living on the same street and utilizing the skill set offered by different family members as appropriate.  Full-time employees also remain committed to the Nilsson family, and turnover is low.  Their customers enjoy the community atmosphere, low prices and quality of service.

Barker Specialty Company - Medium Business Category
Herb and Gloria Barker opened Barker Specialty Company in 1951 and began selling advertising and gifts throughout New England.  In 1983, their son Gerald joined his parents and grew the company and twenty years later, with six family members working in the business and 58 employees, Barker Specialty Company enjoys annual sales of $21 million and has expanded their company to now fill a 31,000 square foot facility operating in both Connecticut and Florida.  They also built the world’ largest promotional products showroom with over 6,000 square feet housing thousands of promotional samples.

The Barker’ s employee base is one of their greatest assets.  As a result, the majority of their employees have been there for over 10 years and the family has never had a single lay-off in their 50-plus year history.  Some ways they uniquely support their employees are by offering weight loss programs, stop smoking incentives, wardrobe shopping and weekly luncheons.  Furthermore, approximately 80% of all employees have a window in their office as well as full coverage of medical disability and life insurance.  They also have a non-contributing profit sharing plan available to all employees over the age of 21. 

The Barker family contributes generously to their community with yearly contributions of gifts and money lingering around the $200,000 mark.  They opened a Comic & Cartoon museum in 1992 to provide a fun atmosphere and safe-haven for children.  With over 60,000 cartoon characters and items on display, children can play trivia games, color and participate in scavenger hunts – all for free.

Jaci Carroll Staffing Services, Inc. - Small Business Category
With just $10,000 of funding from a personal investor, Jaci Carroll, a single working mother, and her daughter Kathy, opened Jaci Carroll Staffing Services, a 500 square foot office over a coffee shop with two phones, a chamber directory and no sales.  Twenty years later, Jaci and Kathy turned Jaci Carroll Staffing Services into the state’s oldest and largest independent staffing firm, breaking through the $10 million sales mark, placing over 55,000 people in Connecticut, and operating from 4 locations, as well as several on-site manufacturing facilities.

Jaci Carroll Staffing Services is known for their progressive infrastructure, which includes advanced payroll systems and skill evaluation software.  They have four PC Testing and Training Centers, as well as an innovative web site with capabilities to accept job orders and applications on-line.  Jaci Carroll and her team, which now also includes her son-in-law Mike Anthony, allocates significant portions of profits to offer free advanced training systems at each of their locations to any candidate interested in developing or improving their computer skills.  They offer competitive wages, a variety of bonus programs, vacation and holiday pay, access to affordable medical plans, scholarship programs, free training, flextime, career advancement opportunities and certifications including Employment Law Accreditations, direct deposit and a debit card to those employees without a banking relationship.  As a result, Jaci Carroll Staffing Services has prospered in becoming a valuable human resources partner to their clients as well as a source of inspiration to their employees and women business owners all over the country.

Finalists

Footprints Shoes- Large Business Category
What began in 1979 by Jerilyn and David Cohen as a 450 square foot facility in Newington has blossomed into a 30,000 square foot facility with 85 employees that has maintained it’s independence at a time when the base of independent shoes stores across the United States has shrunk by 80 – 90 percent.

Footprints Shoes fosters a commitment to addressing all orthopedic foot needs.  With their arsenal of shoes carrying every size from 2 ½ to 12 and extra-narrow to extra-wide, over 300 physicians now turn to Footprints to meet the orthopedic needs of their patients.  This includes all special needs from infants with braces to prison inmates in leg irons.  Additionally, Footprints Shoes also has an orthopedic specialist who conducts fittings at nursing homes and convalescent hospitals, and occasionally, private homes.

Employees are a valuable part of the business.  It was only with the hands-on help of David’s parents, Betty and Elliot, and Jerilyn's parents, Milton and Celia, that Jerilyn and David were able to turn a fledgling idea into one of the 2 or 3 largest full service shoe stores in the country.  Since 1979, son Scott and daughter-in-law Teressa, have joined the business, and many other family members have pitched in their time and efforts.  Footprints has maintained it’s commitment to family values, regularly treating their employees to lunches, breakfasts and dinners, and enabling their employees to attend their children’s activities without fear of job consequences. 

Pye & Hogan Machine Company - Large Business Category
Pye & Hogan Machine Company was established in 1958 by Messieurs Pye and Joseph Hogan,  Mr. Pye later sold his interest to Mr. Hogan who found in Donald Woods a veritable business partner.  The fledgling business grew quickly through the 1960’s & 1970’s then underwent a transformation, and has enjoyed a more structured growth since.

Pye & Hogan Machine Company experienced a devastating fire in 1989 that destroyed its one-story plant.  With the help of strategic alliances, they were able to move into a 20,000 square foot facility in 1990, becoming a stronger and more stable company.  Now in a 30,000 square foot facility, Pye & Hogan Machine Company employs 75 passionate and dedicated individuals, including Donald’s son Jeffrey and daughter Barbara, grandson, Joshua, has recently joined the business in 2001.  

Pye & Hogan Machine Company has not survived on luck – they’ve survived by being smart.  After the fire, they were able to rebuild with diversification in mind, seeing that military programs were decreasing.  They now operate a lean organization focused on reducing cost and remaining competitive.  They are positioned for opportunities for business growth as a result of supply bases shrinking in low cost regions, and have prepared for it by adding manufacturing space and new equipment.  They have also enacted long-term agreements with major customers to ensure a steady flow of business for their future.

Albert Bros., Inc.- Medium Business Category
Albert Brothers was established in 1895 and is the oldest company being honored here tonight, and the oldest company honored in the history of the UConn Family Business Program’s Connecticut Family Business of the Year Awards.  Going strong in their fourth generation of family ownership, Albert Brothers sees no sign of slowing down.

Nathan and Lewis Albert chose a final settlement in Waterbury in 1917.  One year later, Lewis left the company.  In 1919, Nathan’s eldest son, Sidney, joined the business and became president at the age of 24.  During Sidney’s leadership, the company was revitalized.  In 1958, Sidney’s eldest son, Burt entered the business and over the next three decades, devoted his energy to expanding the processing of industrial scrap moving the company to a larger 20-acre facility in 1971.  Burt’s sons Eric and Jonathan joined the business in the 1980’s – Eric assuming the position as president and Jonathan assuming the position of Secretary.

Albert Brothers has worked incredibly hard at creating a positive and supportive work environment.  Examples of practices that have helped them become so successful and build employee loyalty include a profit sharing plan, 401k plan, quarterly safety bonus and luncheons, daily morning meetings with managers, foremen and salesmen and a true “open door” policy.

Thomas Cadillac Jaguar - Medium Business Category
In 1978, Calvert “Cal” Thomas and his son Calvert “Bowie” Thomas left their established careers to purchase a Cadillac dealership in Hartford.  The love of automobiles was in Cal’s blood, having served a 32-year tenure at General Motors Corporation. Bowie, left his teaching position to learn the ropes of the automobile world under the tutelage of the second largest Cadillac retailer in the nation.  Cal’s other son, Doug, also left his law career to join the family business in 1983.  In the years to follow, and with impeccable succession and estate planning, many family members would work in various positions at the well-established family firm.

Thomas Cadillac made consistent gains, and the business took the opportunity in 1995 to purchase the assets and new building of a Jaguar dealership.  The company flourished, and Thomas Cadillac Jaguar relishes in a relatively low turn-over rate of their employees.  The average tenure for its 48 full-time employees is currently 8.8 years.  This lengthy tenure provides a consistency and atmosphere that customers prefer, and has helped to catapult it’s sales to an excess of $35 million for 2000.  With this, Thomas Cadillac Jaguar has received numerous industry awards including the Cadillac “Dewar Award” Cadillac Master Dealer Award, GM Mark of Excellence Award as a Cadillac Master Dealer and Jaguar Customer Satisfaction Ranking – Ranked in the Top 10 Dealers Nationally for 2 years in a row for 2000 and 2001.

Redding Nursery- Small Business Category
Jim McNamara and his high school sweetheart, Sheila, purchased Redding Nursery in 1968.  At first, the McNamara’s were content to sell the typical nursery stock, but decided to add tree-spraying services to their business in the 1970’s.  Soon thereafter, Connecticut was invaded by the Gypsy moth, and Redding Nursery added two spray crews to combat these tree-destroying insects.  By the 1990’s, Redding Nursery added a third spray crew that provided Tick Control.  They had also added their son, Sean, and daughter-in-law, Krista, into the family business.

Redding Nursery’s crowning business achievement was the addition of their Deer Repellent service.  Jim developed DeerPro, a service that prevents deer from eating shrubs during the long winter months by relying on precise application techniques and equipment. Redding Nursery soon got calls from areas all over the country and now licenses outside companies to provide DeerPro service. 

The McNamara’s have opened their hearts to the public, sponsoring youth activities and providing plants for graduation and honor ceremonies at local schools.  They have also helped to maintain public safety, serving as Captain and Assistant Chief of the Redding Volunteer fire department, Fire Commissioner, Redding’s Tree Warden, Connecticut State Forest Fire Warden and Deputy Tree Warden.

Newington Memorial Funeral Home- Small Business Category
Matthew Duksa, Sr. and his wife Dorothy opened the Newington Memorial Funeral Home in August 1952 with an unparalleled work ethic and desire to serve the growing Newington community.  Some years later, their children, Matthew Jr and Diana Duksa became licensed funeral directors and also joined the family business, helping it grow from one location to two and serving eleven families in 1952 to now serving over 400 families per year.

When families have difficult financial situations, Newington Memorial Funeral works out a flexible payment plan – oftentimes not charging an interest rate in these circumstances.  If a family experiences the death of a baby or a small child the Duksa family does not charge for funeral services or the use of their facilities.  When the Department of Mental Retardation or recipients of Title 19 contact the Duksa family they provide many services without a fee.  Additionally, Newington Memorial Funeral Home staffs a registered hospice nurse who follows up with all families served and facilitates a support group, free to all grieving seniors at the Newington Senior and Disabled Center.

Newington Memorial Funeral Home and the Duksa family are highly civic-oriented, participating in dozens of volunteer organizations, boards and committees around the state and donating generous time and money to the Newington community.  They’re also generous to their employees, offering them a flexible work schedule.  Employees are provided with quality health care as well as a 401K, profit sharing program and generous wages.