The winners of this year’s awards were: Gander Family Dental Clinic, Business of the Year; Johnny’s Gas Bar and Convenience Store of Glenwood, Customer Service Award; Petroleum Environmental Services Inc., Environmental Award; Easton Hillier Lawrence Preston law firm, Helping Hands Award; Sweetapple Accounting Group Ltd., the Joe & Clarice Goodyear Business Achievement Award; Russell’s Welding and Fabrication, Small Business Award.
There were 39 nominations this year for the six awards.
Chamber chair Phallan White said although only six awards are handed out, all the nominees are winners as reputable businesses in the area.
Tonight the Chamber also recognized future business leaders, by presenting scholarships of $500 to two students who are studying business. The recipients were Emily Balsom of Gander and Zachery Broderick of Gambo.
The Recipients
2014 Business of the Year Award
Gander Dental Clinic was launched in 1996 by Dr. Pat Redmond in the Gander Mall, with a staff of five.
By 2008, the business had grown to the point where more space was required. In 2010 the business moved to its own building, and over the next four years added two satellite offices — one in Twillingate and the other in Glovertown. Currently the business employs 30 people, and operates not only dental clinics, but a full service dental lab, a tanning bed operation and a residential rental division.
The owners support others in the community with contributions to group like the Cobb’s Pond Rotary Park, Gander Community Tennis Association, Gander Gymnastics, and Cara Transition House.
Dr. Redmond currently serves as the treasurer of the NL Dental Association and represents this province on the Canadian Dental Association.
Small Business Award
Russell Drover started Russell’s Welding and Fabrication Ltd. last September. After spending many years working all over Canada, he decided to use his skills and experience as a Red Seal welder to start his own business, thereby finding a way to stay in Gander with his young family.
He modified his truck to enable him to offer mobile welding services, and bought a building to set up a welding shop.
From the beginning Russell’s Welding has been busy, so busy that he’s had to hire another welder, and is looking to hire office staff to help with the day-to-day operations.
Customer Service Award
Johnny’s Gas Bar and Convenience Store in Glenwood started out as a small gas bar in 2012. In just three years it’s expanded to include a convenience store, restaurant and take-out, and NL Liquor Express outlet, employing 10 people.
To give back to their customers and the communities the owner hold a number of events throughout the year to thank their customers.
These events include a Canada Day celebration with free cake and three customer appreciation barbecues.
During Christmas there is another customer appreciation day with food and tea/coffee/pop and on Christmas Eve Santa comes for a visit to pump gas for their customers and share candy with the children.
During sad times and the passing of a resident within the community the staff prepares food and delivers it to the family. They also welcome the students of Lakewood Academy each and every day and on special days during the year the staff invites the students to make their own ice cream.
There’s an “Employee of the Month” incentive program where the staff member who demonstrates the most initiative to customers, co-workers and a great overall performance will receive a gift card.
The business also participates in fundraisers in the community, giving to Janeway Days, Autism Society, Lakewood Academy Breakfast Program, Glenwood/Appleton Fire Department and various school and sporting activities.
Helping Hands Award
The partners and staff of Easton Hillier Lawrence Preston law firm volunteer their time to help various boards and organizations.
Throughout the year they contribute to local school activities such as awards programs and Christmas raffles, sponsors numerous sporting events and associations like the Gander Community Tennis Association, Gander Minor Hockey, Glovertown Arena, Beaches Heritage Festival, Gander March Hare.
They also support the Central Northeast Health Foundation’s Regatta and other health related initiatives.
Easton Hilliew Lawrence and Preston also supported many local community activities such as: Appleton’s Winterfest, Gambo’s Smallwood Days, Gander’s Festival of Flight and Derby and Glenwood’s Summerfest.
Partners and staff at the firm also volunteer with local groups and organizations, including: the Chamber of Commerce board of directors, the local Rotary Club, Lion’s Club, Boys and Girls Club, Community Development Corporation, Junior Achievement, Cara Transition House, Gander Status of Women Council, Boy Scouts and Gander Minor Baseball.
During the awards presentation the Chamber also paid tribute to the late Kevin Preston, a former partner in the firm.
“He had the biggest smile ever . . . and gave generously of his time to spread cheer wherever he was seen,” read the nomination.
Preston lost his life in a car accident near Gander earlier this year.
Environmental Award
Petroleum and Environmental Services Inc. has been in business for 26 years, and currently has 12 full-time employees and about six temporary employees.
They provide 24-hour emergency spill response, as well as upgrade and installation of bulk storage facilities and service service stations.
In their years of operation they have cleaned up spills ranging from 20 liters to 235,000 liters, across the province.
They not only help clean up the environment after a spill, but they practice recycling at their own business.
They recycle containers as well as soft and hard metals, reduce paper waste by completing most paperwork electronically, and switched to LED lights and installed insulation to reduce heat and electrical costs in their building.
The mission statement of the business is “to provide the finest service possible while keeping safety and the environment their number one focus”.
2014 Joe & Clarice Goodyear Business Achievement Award
Sweetapple Accounting Group Ltd. (formerly known as Fishermen’s Management Service Ltd.) has been in business for 39 years.
Since its founding in 1979 the mantra of the business has been “keeping to the highest standards; fostering a personal commitment to each client’s success; and delivering individualized solutions to every business-specific to its individual environment.”
Owners Don and Linda Sweetapple say their success is also due to a staff that makes the difference.
“Everyone likes to roll up their sleeves and really dig into their work.”
In addition to supporting local businesses with their professional financial services, the Sweetapples are also active as volunteers.
They are involved in the Gander Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Fraser Road United Church Board and the Cobb’s Pond Redevelopment Committee. They are faithful supporters of the Rotary and Shriners Auctions and provide support to the School Breakfast Program, various tournaments and fundraisers.
Each year they donated to local and provincial charities such as the annual Rotary Auction, Shriner’s Auction, Cara Transition House, Gander Boys and Girls Club, Lions Club, Minor Baseball Association, Salvation Army, SPCA, Food Bank, to name just a few.
Today the business employs 10 full time and two part-time staff.
The winners of this year’s awards were: Gander Family Dental Clinic, Business of the Year; Johnny’s Gas Bar and Convenience Store of Glenwood, Customer Service Award; Petroleum Environmental Services Inc., Environmental Award; Easton Hillier Lawrence Preston law firm, Helping Hands Award; Sweetapple Accounting Group Ltd., the Joe & Clarice Goodyear Business Achievement Award; Russell’s Welding and Fabrication, Small Business Award.
There were 39 nominations this year for the six awards.
Chamber chair Phallan White said although only six awards are handed out, all the nominees are winners as reputable businesses in the area.
Tonight the Chamber also recognized future business leaders, by presenting scholarships of $500 to two students who are studying business. The recipients were Emily Balsom of Gander and Zachery Broderick of Gambo.
The Recipients
2014 Business of the Year Award
Gander Dental Clinic was launched in 1996 by Dr. Pat Redmond in the Gander Mall, with a staff of five.
By 2008, the business had grown to the point where more space was required. In 2010 the business moved to its own building, and over the next four years added two satellite offices — one in Twillingate and the other in Glovertown. Currently the business employs 30 people, and operates not only dental clinics, but a full service dental lab, a tanning bed operation and a residential rental division.
The owners support others in the community with contributions to group like the Cobb’s Pond Rotary Park, Gander Community Tennis Association, Gander Gymnastics, and Cara Transition House.
Dr. Redmond currently serves as the treasurer of the NL Dental Association and represents this province on the Canadian Dental Association.
Small Business Award
Russell Drover started Russell’s Welding and Fabrication Ltd. last September. After spending many years working all over Canada, he decided to use his skills and experience as a Red Seal welder to start his own business, thereby finding a way to stay in Gander with his young family.
He modified his truck to enable him to offer mobile welding services, and bought a building to set up a welding shop.
From the beginning Russell’s Welding has been busy, so busy that he’s had to hire another welder, and is looking to hire office staff to help with the day-to-day operations.
Customer Service Award
Johnny’s Gas Bar and Convenience Store in Glenwood started out as a small gas bar in 2012. In just three years it’s expanded to include a convenience store, restaurant and take-out, and NL Liquor Express outlet, employing 10 people.
To give back to their customers and the communities the owner hold a number of events throughout the year to thank their customers.
These events include a Canada Day celebration with free cake and three customer appreciation barbecues.
During Christmas there is another customer appreciation day with food and tea/coffee/pop and on Christmas Eve Santa comes for a visit to pump gas for their customers and share candy with the children.
During sad times and the passing of a resident within the community the staff prepares food and delivers it to the family. They also welcome the students of Lakewood Academy each and every day and on special days during the year the staff invites the students to make their own ice cream.
There’s an “Employee of the Month” incentive program where the staff member who demonstrates the most initiative to customers, co-workers and a great overall performance will receive a gift card.
The business also participates in fundraisers in the community, giving to Janeway Days, Autism Society, Lakewood Academy Breakfast Program, Glenwood/Appleton Fire Department and various school and sporting activities.
Helping Hands Award
The partners and staff of Easton Hillier Lawrence Preston law firm volunteer their time to help various boards and organizations.
Throughout the year they contribute to local school activities such as awards programs and Christmas raffles, sponsors numerous sporting events and associations like the Gander Community Tennis Association, Gander Minor Hockey, Glovertown Arena, Beaches Heritage Festival, Gander March Hare.
They also support the Central Northeast Health Foundation’s Regatta and other health related initiatives.
Easton Hilliew Lawrence and Preston also supported many local community activities such as: Appleton’s Winterfest, Gambo’s Smallwood Days, Gander’s Festival of Flight and Derby and Glenwood’s Summerfest.
Partners and staff at the firm also volunteer with local groups and organizations, including: the Chamber of Commerce board of directors, the local Rotary Club, Lion’s Club, Boys and Girls Club, Community Development Corporation, Junior Achievement, Cara Transition House, Gander Status of Women Council, Boy Scouts and Gander Minor Baseball.
During the awards presentation the Chamber also paid tribute to the late Kevin Preston, a former partner in the firm.
“He had the biggest smile ever . . . and gave generously of his time to spread cheer wherever he was seen,” read the nomination.
Preston lost his life in a car accident near Gander earlier this year.
Environmental Award
Petroleum and Environmental Services Inc. has been in business for 26 years, and currently has 12 full-time employees and about six temporary employees.
They provide 24-hour emergency spill response, as well as upgrade and installation of bulk storage facilities and service service stations.
In their years of operation they have cleaned up spills ranging from 20 liters to 235,000 liters, across the province.
They not only help clean up the environment after a spill, but they practice recycling at their own business.
They recycle containers as well as soft and hard metals, reduce paper waste by completing most paperwork electronically, and switched to LED lights and installed insulation to reduce heat and electrical costs in their building.
The mission statement of the business is “to provide the finest service possible while keeping safety and the environment their number one focus”.
2014 Joe & Clarice Goodyear Business Achievement Award
Sweetapple Accounting Group Ltd. (formerly known as Fishermen’s Management Service Ltd.) has been in business for 39 years.
Since its founding in 1979 the mantra of the business has been “keeping to the highest standards; fostering a personal commitment to each client’s success; and delivering individualized solutions to every business-specific to its individual environment.”
Owners Don and Linda Sweetapple say their success is also due to a staff that makes the difference.
“Everyone likes to roll up their sleeves and really dig into their work.”
In addition to supporting local businesses with their professional financial services, the Sweetapples are also active as volunteers.
They are involved in the Gander Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Fraser Road United Church Board and the Cobb’s Pond Redevelopment Committee. They are faithful supporters of the Rotary and Shriners Auctions and provide support to the School Breakfast Program, various tournaments and fundraisers.
Each year they donated to local and provincial charities such as the annual Rotary Auction, Shriner’s Auction, Cara Transition House, Gander Boys and Girls Club, Lions Club, Minor Baseball Association, Salvation Army, SPCA, Food Bank, to name just a few.
Today the business employs 10 full time and two part-time staff.