The Arvada Report December 2010/January 2011

28

2010 Business Appreciation Event Honors Top ArvadaBusinesses

The Arvada Economic Development Association (AEDA)hosted its 16th annual business appreciation awards breakfaston September 30, presenting 13 awards to Arvada-based busi-ness leaders. “Our organization honors Arvada business leaderseach year to showcase the hard work and commitment theybring to the Arvada community. This awards program recog-nizes those that make Arvada a great place to live and do busi-ness," said AEDA president Frank Barone. Hazel Hartbarger,AEDA director added, “Our City’s business environment isunique in that City representatives, from City Council to man-agement to all staff levels in the organization, partner with usto ensure a supportive business climate." At this year’s ceremo-ny AEDA presented three awards of distinction, anOutstanding Business Partner of the Year award, and nineOutstanding Business of the Year awards to companies in theirrespective industry. They are showcased below.

The Lloyd J. King Entrepreneurial Spirit AwardThe prestigious Lloyd J. King

Entrepreneurial Spirit Award was estab-lished in 1998 in honor of King Sooper’sfounder to annually recognize an indi-vidual whose traits and character typi-fied an exemplary entrepreneur. Thisyear the award was presented to LukeHeesacker of Arvada Rent-Alls. In 1971,Luke began working for Art andGeorgianna Tidwell who first openedArvada Rent-Alls in 1963. Fifteen yearslater, Luke, and two junior partners,

Dave Erickson and Randy Engstrom, pur-chased the business from the Tidwells. Today, Arvada Rent-Alls has grown to 17 employees, and more than half of thebusiness is now devoted to sales and servicing equipment.Luke believes his most challenging times as an entrepreneurhave been making the changes necessary to survive the ups anddowns of the business world. Selected as one of the “100People Who Most Influenced Arvada” in its first 100 years,Luke credits his success to the support of his wife, Karen, andhis children Andrew and Rachel, who have accommodated themany hours and demands it has taken to grow the business.Arvada Rent-Alls’ customer-friendly atmosphere and Luke’scommunity spirit have also been key ingredients in the compa-ny’s longevity. Luke’s personal interaction with his customers,schools, service groups, etc. has kept the “small town” feel in abusiness surrounded by a growing community. Arvada Rent-Alls was named the Arvada Business of the Year twice in itshistory.

Distinguished Service Award Mike Litzau of Sooper Credit Union has worked in credit

unions for almost 35 years and became a part of Sooper CreditUnion in 2006 when Colorado Central and Sooper CreditUnion merged. A committed and involved member of the

Arvada community, Mike has served in anumber of professional and volunteerpositions. During his tenure as Presidentof the Arvada Community Food Bank, along-term lease was negotiated for theformer library building and a successfulcapital campaign completed to make thechanges needed to convert the buildingto a food bank. In 2002, while atColorado Central Credit Union, Mikespearheaded a Volunteer Income TaxAssistance program for low to moderate

income taxpayers, and has served as a site coordinator and taxpreparer since it began nine years ago. In addition, Mike servesas an officer with the Sooper Credit Union’s CommunityFoundation, an educational and charitable foundation; volun-teers with Growing Home which provides homeless preventionservices; and is a commissioner on the Westminster PlanningCommission. AEDA is fortunate to have Mike as a boardmember since 1998, serving as past president and vice presi-dent of the Association, and remains on the executive board.

Community Spirit AwardRoy Jackson and his company, Roy Jackson Electric, have

been doing business in Arvada for 26years. Since 1984, this private electricalcontracting firm has specialized in com-mercial and light industrial installations,concentrating on design and build proj-ects. Pride in its staff and top qualityworkmanship have made Roy JacksonElectric a very successful Arvada busi-ness with increasing annual revenues.Roy Jackson has set the example for hiscompany, quietly contributing his per-sonal time and funds to sponsor theArvada schools backpack program, assist

Ralston House, and participate in other positions and charities.Like its namesake, the business also generously contributes tothe community by supporting the Arvada Food Bank, theDenver Zoo Walk, and Ronald McDonald House, among oth-ers.

Outstanding Business Partner of the Year Award The Arvada Chamber of

Commerce and AEDA havebecome close partners working tosupport business growth in Arvada.The Chamber and AEDA have col-laborated on business assistanceprograms, training opportunitieslike the successful LeadershipArvada Program, City initiatives,and so much more. The coopera-

tive relationship between the City,AEDA, and the Chamber has been valuable to our businesscommunity in attracting new businesses and serving our exist-ing ones.

These two pages of The Arvada Report

are for and about Arvada businesses.

business link 2010

Outstanding Businesses of the Year

ApplewoodSeed Companyis one of theleading world-wide producersand distributorsof wildflower,native grass,herb, and culti-

vated flower seeds. Founded by GeneMilstein in 1965 in Golden, the compa-ny made the move to Arvada 28 yearsago. Plants grown from the company’sseeds brighten areas maintained by golfcourses, highway and parks depart-ments, government agencies and seedcompanies worldwide!

Colchin Automotive & Diesel wasfounded by Toddand KerryColchin over 25years ago. Theirbusiness is basedon quality serviceand repair onmost automotive,truck, SUV anddiesels. As anindependentautomotive repair

shop, the focus ison educating customers on maintenanceand repair options. One very satisfiedcustomer described the business withtwo words: honesty and integrity.

D. Line Graphics moved to Arvadafour years ago.Owner, DennisLine, has been inthe graphic artsbusiness for 20years specializingin logo/identitydesign, illustra-tion, and photog-raphy. Among hisclients are famil-iar names such as

Celestial Seasonings,Jimmy Dean Foods, Harry MathewsAuto Collection, and Colorado StateUniversity.

FirstBank of Arvada is part of theFirstBank net-work foundedin Colorado in1963 and nowlocated in over130 locationsin Colorado,Arizona, andCalifornia.FirstBank is

unique in that the majority of its stockis held by management and otheremployees making it truly locallyowned and operated. It is still a grow-ing company. After nearly 50 years, itscommitment to both customers andcommunity has not changed. FirstBankopened its first location in Arvada in1979, and now has four locations here.

Milender White Construction Co.was startedin 1997 byMikeMilenderand BryonWhite.Since thenthe compa-ny has suc-cessfully

managed many construction projectsacross the front range and western slopeincluding the Denver Art MuseumResidences, Marriott Denver CityCenter, and The Historic Sage Building,and is currently constructing 31 rooftopPV solar projects for the City andCounty of Denver and Denver PublicSchools.

Mrs. K film, video production anddesign studiomay reside inOlde TownArvada, but, asthe website notes,“she is whereverpeople hunger forcreative visionand beautifulimagery.” Mrs.K’s talented staffworks with a

variety of innovative people – writers,designers, cinematographers, producersand animators – in a wide range oftechniques including live action, 2Dand 3D. Their collaboration hasinspired some wildly artistic publicservices announcements (PSA’s) andpromotional campaigns for AnimalPlanet, National Geographic channels,and others.

Serenity Salon in the Village atFive Parks opened seven years ago and

the growingbusinessrecentlyrelocated toa new andlarger spacenearby. Afull servicehair salon,Serenity is

dedicated to providing clients with theutmost in attention, courtesy, and levelof service in a relaxing and beautifulatmosphere. Serenity Salon’s commit-ment extends to involvement in thecommunity as well. The salon’s annualCut-a-Thon to benefit Ralston Househas raised over $20,000 in the last fiveyears!

The Wedding Seamstress in OldeTownArvada isColorado’spremierbridal alter-ation stu-dio, work-ing exclu-sively withformal

dresses, from alterations to completeredesigns of vintage wedding gowns.Deedee Vicory, founder and head seam-stress, is the driving force behind anexpert staff of seamstresses who striveto exceed every client’s expectations.Opened in 2008, this newcomer to OldeTown is already making its mark in thecommunity.

Wastequip of Arvada is one ofseveralWastequipfacilitiesstrategicallylocatedacross theU.S. andCanada.The compa-ny is a

world leader in the manufacturing ofwaste handling equipment. The Arvada-based business originally started inOlde Town Arvada in the late 1950’sand was later acquired by Wastequip.Today there are 22 employees in south-east Arvada, manufacturing a full lineof steel and plastic products to collect,handle, and transport waste and recy-clables.

The Arvada Report December 2010/January 2011

2929