On Thursday evening Feb. 25, 2016 the Prince William County Chamber of Commerce hosted its 5th annual business awards dinner at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas to honor the best of the local business community. Awards recognize excellence in business, innovative practices, outstanding contributions to the community and businesses/organizations that stand out among their peers.
Many City businesses were nominated in the nine categories of awards including local favorites like Carmello’s, Malones and CJ Finz for their outstanding customer service as well as emerging businesses like Manassas Olive Oil. However, the highlight of the night was the recognition of the City’s booming tech sector; the awards for “Excellence in Business” and “Tech Company of the Year” were awarded to businesses in the City of Manassas.
Excellence in Business: Micron Technology, Inc. Micron, the largest exporter in the Commonwealth of Virginia and second largest memory care maker in the world, is the City’s largest employer with over 1,500 personnel. The company prides itself on developing, promoting and driving community partnerships that strengthen the advancement of science, energy and technology.
Tech Company of the Year: Tracen Technologies, provides IT program management support, integrated mobile and web solutions and systems integration to government and commercial clients. In 2015 the company developed and award winning application for the United States Navy to provide quick, one-stop access for naval officers on official Navy instruction and procedures.
Emerging Business of the Year: FreshySites, a website design and development company founded in 2011 and which opened a new location in Scranton, PA last year.
Excellence in Small Business: Harry H. Horning Financial Services was founded in 1978 with the goal of guiding its clients in every aspect of financial life in order to help build wealth and enable financial confidence and independence.
Outstanding Customer Service: Okra’s Cajun Creole, an authentic Cajun Creole restaurant that celebrates the culture and spirit of New Orleans and prides itself on warm southern hospitality.
Charles J. Colgan Visionary: Rexford Parr, retired CEO of Didlake Inc. and current President of Rex Parr and Associates has dedicated the majority of his adult life to helping people with disabilities find meaningful employment.
Other tech companies and defense contractors receiving recognition include: Aurora Flight Sciences, MTCI-Management and Training Consultants Inc., Shdow Securities and Hepburn and Sons. For a full list of nominees refer to the listing below.
Additional Nominees from the City of Manassas
Innovative Practice/Partnership of the Year: Historic Manassas Inc., Tracen Technologies Inc.
Community Outreach Award: City of Manasss
Government Contractor of the Year: Aurora Flight Sciences, ECU Communications LLC. , MTCI-Management and Training Consultants Inc., Tracen Technologies Inc.
Outstanding Customer Service: Carmello’s & Little Portugal, CJ Finz, Malones of Manassas, Shdow Securities, Tracen Technologies, Inc.
Tech Company of the Year: Micron, Inc., Shdow Securities
Emerging Business of the Year: Manassas Olive Oil
Excellence in Small Business: Hepburn and Sons, Shdow Securities
Business Excellence Award: MTCI-Management and Training Consultants, Inc., Okra’s Cajun Creole, Tracen Technologies, Inc., Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, PC.
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