BBB News Release -- For Immediate Release

Contacts:

HOUSTON - May 15, 2003 - The 11th BBB Awards for Excellence recognized 10 local companies and non-profits for overall excellence in the workplace at a luncheon ceremony held at Reliant Center on Wednesday, May 14.  John McCormack, founder and owner of the highly successful Houston based Visible Changes hair salon chain was the keynote speaker. Ten Houston area companies and organizations received recognition in front of a crowd of more than 375 guests.

 The BBB Awards for Excellence was created to recognize local businesses and non-profits that excel in quality achievement, management and customer service. The BBB Awards for Excellence recognizes local businesses in service, construction, non-profit, automotive, health services, retail, ethics, manufacturing and technology categories that have excelled in quality, service and management.  All entries were judged by experts from the American Productivity and Quality Center.

The 2003 winners are: A&E – The Graphics Complex, AIDS Foundation Houston, Anderson Ford Mercury, Backyard Amenities, Christian Community Service Center, Clerc Computer Consulting Corporation, Frontier Custom Builders, I.W. Marks Jewelers, Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas, Quality Home Improvements.  John Moore Services received Honorable Mention.

Local area media personalities presented the awards.  Presenters included:  Steve Trainor, Channel 24 News Houston; Eileen Faxas, KHOU-TV, Channel 11; Emily Akin, KPRC-TV, Channel 2; Antonio Hernandez, Univision, Channel 45; Sue Hanks, Clear Channel Radio; Harry Shattuck, The Houston Chronicle; Wendy Grossman, Houston Press; Minerva Perez, KTRK-TV, Channel 13; Laurie Johnson, KUHF-Radio; Tom Zizka, and KRIV-TV, Fox 26.

Proceeds from the Awards for Excellence benefit the BBB Education Foundation.  The Foundation’s mission is to educate and advocate on behalf of consumers and businesses in an effort to combat unethical business practices and promote consumer awareness.