2007 Finalists 2007 Nominees 2007 Applicants 2007 Award Winners Past Award Recipients

Emerging Business Category

Crypto Security Systems, LLC
David Jesse Coker, Chief Investigator

In tomorrow’s world, efficiency and convenience demand that all data be stored digitally and accessed via networked input/output devices.  Crypto Security Systems, LLC began operations in January of 2006 to help businesses deal with the wide range of issues, both logical and legal, that such convenience and efficiency inevitably create.  As an integral and necessary component of this service, Crypto also provides investigation and recovery services to aid companies in the event confidential data is compromised or lost.  Crypto Security Systems is the Tarrant County firm specializing in data security solutions and computer investigation for businesses.

Edward Jones
Don Marable, Registered Investment Representative

Edward Jones is a limited partnership founded in 1922.  Each office is run by a non-salaried, individual broker that is completely responsible for the success or failure of their individual branch.  The primary focus of this branch is individual and small business retirement planning.  Products and services offered include but are not limited to retirement and estate planning, financial assessment, asset management, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, insurance (life, long term care and disability), 529 plans, 401K’s, 403B’s, and other qualified retirement vehicles.  The branch has been awarded the “Managing Partners,” “Ted Jones” and numerous other awards.

GBT Enterprises
Shawn Jones, Partner

GBT Enterprises was started in Fort Worth in January 2005 to offer the best of everything mobile.  GBT differentiates itself by providing great customer service, true bottom line pricing, and trust and reliability in the online world, while providing phones with or without contracts, mobile software and phone accessories.

GBT Mobile is owned and operated by four partners with strong experience in Accounting, Sales and Business Development, Web Development, and Customer Service.  This is the first business venture for all four partners, though years of planning and preparation went into the launch of GBT Mobile.

1-10 Employee Category Business Category

Martin and Company Printers
Stephanie Martin, CEO and Tom Martin, President

Martin & Company is a commercial printing company committed to helping clients look good in print.  It began in January of 2000 with the idea of being an internet based company; however, after several years in that model the company’s founder Tom Martin just wasn’t happy.  He missed personal contact with clients and working through the details of creating a unique product.  Determined to change directions, Stephanie Martin joined the company full-time and took over planning and development.  In October 2005 the company opened in a new location, consolidated production, and invested in cutting- edge work flow technology.

Schwarz Hanson Architects
Gerald H. Schwarz, President and Tod Hanson, VP

Founded in 1995, Schwarz Hanson Architects is a full-service architectural and planning firm with experience in municipal, educational, institutional, religious, health care, residential, and a wide variety of commercial projects and is located in Fort Worth.  A small firm with large-scale project experience, Schwarz Hanson offers innovative design solutions, attention to detail, and prompt responsiveness.  Schwarz Hanson has won an Honorable Mention Golden Trowel Award for the Union Gospel Mission, a Ken Roberts Memorial Delineation Competition Citation, and was listed in the 2006 Aggie 100, a list of the fastest growing Aggie-owned companies for the previous three years.

Technology Team, LLC
Sherry Green, President and Allen Spinner, Sr., VP Field Services

Technology Team began in January 2003. Its niche is Technology Relocation, specializing in Server, Call and Data Centers. They provide the leadership, expertise and experience necessary to seamlessly move a company’s technology.  Technicians perform most of the work and highly certified technical experts are used on an 'as needed' basis -- thus, reducing the relocation cost, benefiting everyone.

The company attributes success to its employees, and are humbled by their dedication and loyalty.

In 2005, they won the Entrepreneur Expo Star-Telegram Award.  Winning the 2006 Fort Worth Mayor’s Award was an exciting testimony to the achievements of Technology Team.

11-50 Employee Category

Perfect Touch Day Spa
Jeffrey Robinson, Owner

Perfect Touch provides full service day spa services.  Perfect Touch’s innovative and fresh business approach to providing spa services has literally changed the paradigm for success in the Fort Worth spa industry.  As the spa industry has experienced record breaking growth in recent years, consumers have become more savvy about quality, demand greater convenience and expect more variety in services offered.  Value and quality has attracted more than 17,000 customers to Perfect Touch since October 2002.  We have won six “best of” awards in the last four years from Fort Worth, Texas Magazine and the FW Weekly.  We were an emerging business finalist for small Business of the Year in 2005

Rassai Internet Solutions, Ltd.
Judge Graham and Chad Horany, Business Partners/Owners

Rassai Interactive is a technology-based firm that specializes in the production of next generation web applications.  Capabilities include website development, internet marketing and interactive video production.  Having successfully developed over 300 online applications since its conception in 2002, Rassai has ideas, credentials, and experience to help its clients succeed.  Founded by two graduated of TCU’s first e-business program, the company has a very compelling story to tell.  Rassai, a privately owned, self-funded company is home to an extraordinarily talented team of award-winning creative designers, e-business professionals and internet strategists.

Skyline DFW Exhibits & Graphics
Jeffrey R. Meisner, President/CEO

Skyline DFW Exhibits & Graphics mission is to help clients maximize the return on their marketing investment by providing them with the highest level of service to ensure a successful trade show and event marketing experience.  Core values are honesty, integrity, professionalism, leadership, teamwork, education and profitability.  Its success is mainly attributable to the incredible people who make up the Skyline DFW team.  Over the last five years they have worked with nearly 1000 clients, including prominent companies like American Airlines, American Heart Association, Blockbuster, CompUSA, Lockheed-Martin, NBC5, Pier1 RadioShack, Sabre, SMU, TCU, Verizon and VHA.

51-100 Employee Category

C.M. Architecture, P.A.
Bruce M. Carlson, Principal/CEO

CMA provides complete architectural, planning and interior design services for commercial, institutional, high-technology, retail and housing clients.  Founded in Minneapolis in 1977, the firm has grown significantly for nearly 30 years, expanding its client base throughout the United States.  In 1990 the firm restructured as a Professional Association, and opened a second office in Fort Worth in 1992 to serve a broader geographic area.  CMA is proud of its people and the quality work they produce.  As a recognized leader in retail design, its success is based on design quality, good communication, timely project delivery and first-class client service.

Huckabee and Associates
Christopher M. Huckabee, CEO

Huckabee & Associates was established 40 years ago as a school design firm.  They are architects, planners, managers, and construction observers who focus as much on what happens inside the school walls as on designing the walls and everything within them to endure.  They are different from other firms because they don’t just design a school for a community- they became a part of it.  You’ll see their staff working concession stands, volunteering at school functions and participating in sporting events.  They don’t want to be just the district architect; they want to be a valued community partner.

RPM
Glen James and Frank Poeschel, Managing Partners

Resource Print Management was formed in 1996 to fill significant gaps within the Document Management industry, which at the time were not available from area competitors.  The name was later shortened to RPM in response to the broadening of services and evolution of the organization’s vision.  The truly unique full-service supply chain management solutions provider specializes in multi-transactional business with multiple locations.  RPM’s  core competency is providing the technology front to deliver operational and marketing items allowing companies to focus on revenue generating activities.  The order history is then fed back to each client to create additional operational efficiencies.

101-250 Employee Category

Higginbotham & Associates, Inc.
Rusty Reid, President and CEO

Higginbotham & Associates, one of the nation’s 100 largest independent insurance agencies, is recognized for its commitment to the client, employee, insurance carrier and local communities.  Named a “25 most Innovative agent in America,” a “Best Company to Work for in Texas” and honored within the philanthropic and carrier communities, the agency’s mantra rings true to all its constituencies: Higginbotham is their “Single Source for a Secure Future.”  Founded in 1948, Higginbotham offers business and personal insurance, risk management, employee benefits, life insurance and retirement plan expertise, as well as an employee culture that rivals the best in Texas.

SKIHI ENTERPRISES, LTD
Sam Langlitz, Executive Vice President

SKIHI Enterprises, Ltd. Is a full service mechanical/ industrial contracting firm.  Founded in 1981 as a partnership between Richard Skipper and Tommy Hicks, the company brings to the industry the combined experience necessary for the successful achievement of major projects.  These projects include institutional, medical, industrial, commercial, and special type projects.  SKIHI has built its reputation on service and quality for over 25 years. They insisted on quality when it was not popular and attribute continued success to this commitment.  The management team has been thoroughly trained in the Quality Improvement Process and strives continually to educate company employees about Quality Processes.

For more information contact:
Lydia Hall
Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
817-336-2491 Ext. 272