By Fletcher Word
The Truth Editor
The University of Toledo Family Business Center honored three area companies on Tuesday, March 21, for doing the right thing. Kripke Enterprises, Taylor Automotive Family and Aly Sterling Philanthropy were celebrated during a luncheon for their part in making “a positive difference in the world.”
“It is our mission to develop ethical businesses that represent good and socially responsible [principles,” said Anne Balazs, dean of the UT College of Business and Innovation. “We have honorable and generous businesses in Toledo making a difference – even in a quiet way … who are doing well by doing good.”
The Doing Right Spotlight, highlighting companies in the community, is a project of the UT Family Business Center that is supported by the Robert and Donna Martin family.
“Her gift has enabled us to create a platform that encourages people and companies to make meaningful choices that embody the concept of doing right,” according to the program notes.
The luncheon buffet at The Pinnacle brought together about 200 community members, Business Center staffers and employees and guests of the honored companies to not only applaud the honorees but also to hear words of wisdom from the guest speaker Jeremy Park, a corporate executive, philanthropist, author, contributor to Forbes and producer and host of television and radio shows.
The CEO of cityCURRENT, Park addressed his thoughts about the “power of caring for others” within a business environment and how entities can “make a difference by caring for others.” He urged his audience to get involved because only people can solve problems and provide opportunities for other people. “Having a higher purpose is mandatory,” he said.
Park introduced the three honorees:
Kripke Entreprises received the award for “Doing Right for Their Employees.”
Kripke Enterprises, a family-owned business, was founded 30 years ago and has become one of the nation’s most important non-ferrous brokerages – recycling metal by selling it to manufacturers. They have also become a firm that treats their employees like family. They treat employees to a financial literacy course, assists with down payment of a home and helps them pay off part of tht mortgage for period of three years.
“It is meaningful to be recognized for just doing the right thing,” said Matt Kripke accepting the award. “We look for ways to make [employees’] lives better.”
Taylor Automotive Family received the award for “Doing Right for Their Community.”
The Family Business Center observed that Taylor, in business for more than 40 ways, has “donated thousands of dollars to different organizations and has held multiple fundraisers to show their support of the community.”
Taylor’s community involvement took a step up six years ago when they brought on Tom Cole, then a BCSN broadcaster, and Terry Crosby, a legendary former athlete with Toledo Public Schools, in college with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team and overseas playing professional basketball for more than a dozen seasons. Last Tuesday Cole and Crosby accepted the award for Taylor.
“What they do in the community is just off the charts,” said Cole of his employers. “Everybody gets their recognition and we’re proud to be a small part of that.”
“So many community partnerships,” added Crosby. “Connecting Kids to Meals, Toledo Art Museum, Toledo Public Schools … a plethora of community groups … if you do good, you will be good.”
With seven dealerships in the Toledo area, Taylor Automotive is the largest dealership in northwest Ohio.
Aly Sterling Philanthropy received the award for “Doing Right for the Future of Humankind.”
Aly Sterling Philanthropy is a full-service consulting firm, specializing in building sustainable solutions for nonprofits by providing fundraising, board governance, strategic planning and executive search services to a variety of organizations.
“We believe if we work with clients, if we work with each other that we will leave the world a better place,” said Aly Sterling accepting the award for her company. “I encourage companies to get involved.”
With over 200 family privately-held businesses, the University of Toledo Family Business Center offers membership benefits that include access to local, regional, and nationally recognized business experts and affiliates. Membership in the Center is open to family and privately-held businesses.