9 Utah companies, nonprofits, government agencies honored for ethics

SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The David Eccles School of Business Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative, the Daniels Fund and the Community Foundation of Utah honored nine companies, nonprofits and government agencies at the third annual Utah Ethical Leadership Awards on Sept. 9, 2016.

More than 30 organizations applied for the awards, and winners and finalists were announced at a breakfast award ceremony in the Bill & Pat Child Family Community Hall in the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles Business Building.

The winners and finalists are:

Private Companies
Winner:      Mark Miller Subaru
Finalists:    Tink's Superior Auto Parts; WCF Insurance

Nonprofits
Winner:      Utah Developmental Disability Council
Finalists:    Comunidades Unidas; Kostopulos Dream Foundation/Camp K

Governmental Agencies
Winner:      National Ability Center
Finalists:    Coalville City; Commission on Service and Volunteerism

Gov. Gary Herbert spoke at the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices in all facets of Utah professional life.

"I appreciate that we're awarding good behavior. That's good parenting, to reward good behavior and eschew the bad. I appreciate we're here honoring those who are doing it right and that we're making a big deal out of ethical behavior, which I believe most of us do every day," Herbert said. "We all have an opportunity to be an example, and we have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to make society better by being a good example."

Jeff Miller, general manager of Mark Miller Subaru, was honored that the company his father built was recognized for its ethics, joking that it probably seemed funny to have a car dealership accepting an ethics award, but that perception is why he works hard to ensure every employee follows strong ethical practices.

"We talk about ethics at Mark Miller Subaru because it's so important to our company to do the right thing," Miller said. "It has to be in the DNA of the company."

Two winning organizations that work with people with disabilities focused on the importance of the trust they create with their clients and the community.

"It's the families, the veterans and the kids we serve who are an example of ethical leadership to us every day, and they are an inspiration," said Gail Loveland, executive director of the National Ability Center.

Deborah Bowman, chair of the Utah Developmental Disabilities Council, hopes Friday's recognition helps Utahns realize the importance of providing services to help keep people with developmental disabilities with their families and be welcomed into the community.

"We want communities to value all people of all abilities and to realize that all people can contribute to society, which they can't do if they are segregated from society in an institution," Bowman said. "It's an honor to serve the people we serve and to be recognized for how far we've come. While we have a long way to go, we have come a long way, too."

The awards recognize organizations that embody the spirit of ethical leadership exhibited by businessman Bill Daniels, who believed deeply in ethics and integrity, and in the importance of absolute ethical principles.

Nominees for the awards were judged based on eight criteria:

1. Integrity – Act with honesty in all situations
2. Trust – Build trust in all stakeholder relationships
3. Accountability – Accept responsibility for all decisions
4. Transparency – Maintain open and truthful communications
5. Fairness – Engage in fair competition and create equitable and just relationships
6. Respect – Honor the rights, freedoms, views and property of others
7. Rule of Law – Comply with the spirit and intent of laws and regulations
8. Viability – Create long-term value for all relevant stakeholders

Photos of the event are available in the Eccles Newsroom: http://eccles.utah.edu/news/

About the Community Foundation of Utah
The Community Foundation of Utah is a private, not for profit organization established in March of 2008 to harness Utah's entrepreneurial spirit in service to the common good through smart philanthropy. In this role, the Foundation assist individuals, families, corporations and governments in establishing an array of charitable funds. These funds are invested, managed, and accounted for by the Foundation, and are deployed through scholarships, grants, competitions, program related investments and other awards to support the people, places and causes of Utah and beyond. Learn more at utahcf.org.

About the Daniels Fund
Bill Daniels, a pioneer in cable television known for his generosity, established the Daniels Fund to extend his legacy of giving far beyond his lifetime. The Daniels Fund operates the Daniels Fund Scholarship Program, the Daniels Fund Grants Program, and the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Learn more at DanielsFund.org.

About the David Eccles School of Business
The Eccles School is synonymous with 'doing.' The Eccles experience provides a world-class business education with a unique, entrepreneurial focus on real-world scenarios where students put what they learn into practice long before graduation. Founded in 1917 and educating more than 6,000 students annually, the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business offers eight undergraduate majors, four MBAs, six other specialized graduate programs, a Ph.D. in seven areas and executive education curricula. The School is also home to eight institutes, initiatives and centers that deliver academic research and support an ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation. For more information, visit Eccles.Utah.edu or call 801-581-7676.

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SOURCE David Eccles School of Business