May 17, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Crystal France
Director of Marketing/PR
Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation
276.403.5940
cfrance@yesmartinsville.com
Economic Development Corporation Recognizes Community Leaders
~Business Appreciation Awards given to highlight outstanding contributions to the community and a special legacy award to the Furniture Industry ~
Martinsville, VA (May 17, 2006) – The Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation recognized leaders in the community today with their 5th annual Business Appreciation Awards. These awards were given in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce’s Appreciation Awards at the Best Western Inn in Collinsville.
The Cutting Edge Award, given in recognition of use of cutting edge technology and keeping ahead of the technology curve, was awarded to John F. (Jay) Edelen, Jr., J.G. Edelen Company, Inc. and was accepted by Rory Yates. Edelen is a graduate of Martinsville High School and Patrick Henry Community College. After working with J. G. Edelen Co. in Baltimore, Edelen returned to Martinsville as a sales representative for the company. In 1997, he opened a branch of the company in Collinsville. Edelen developed a plan to sell cabinet hardware on the Internet in 2002. Since that time, Coolknobsandpulls.com and Coolcasters.com have grown and expanded to 46,000 customers and over 1 million units shipped. The company is currently building a new and larger warehouse, office and showroom facility in the Patriot Centre Industrial Park.
For the second year, Startek was presented the Keystone Award, reserved for the company that creates the most jobs. In March of 2005, Startek employed 560. By March of 2006, the company added 240 jobs and now employees over 800. Startek’s client satisfaction is high with the workforce at their Collinsville site. According to company officials, the site has been awarded several new projects because of the high quality results provided.
Irving M. Groves, Jr. is the recipient of the Pillar Award. This award is a lifetime achievement award. Born in Martinsville, Groves is a graduate of Martinsville High School, Randolph-Macon College and the Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania. Groves retired in 1994 as President and CEO Piedmont Trust Bank and its holding company, Piedmont Bank Group. He has served on several local boards including American Furniture, Hooker Furniture, Tultex, Nationwide Homes, as well as Piedmont Bank and Holding Company. Groves is a founding member and past Chairman of the Martinsville Henry County Economic Development Corporation. He was Chairman of the Southside Rising Venture Capital Fund, Member of the Board of Directors of Memorial Hospital, President of his local Kiwanis Club, Member of the State Board of Community Colleges, Endowment Committee PHCC, Member of the Carlisle School Board, Trustee of the First United Methodist Church.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, given to an individual or company with perseverance and tenacity who successfully developed a new business, was awarded to David L. Stone, Solid Stone Fabrics. Stone started his textile career in 1982. He has worked in all areas of textile production including nylon extrusion and texturing, yarn production and sales, fabric and garment manufacturing, and sales and marketing of major consumer brands. David is a graduate of Martinsville High School and Randolph-Macon College. He has held numerous management positions at Kayser-Roth, Tultex, Reebok- Avia, Transitions for Health, and is now the President of Solid Stone Fabrics. Solid Stone Fabrics manufactures and distributes technical and novelty fabrics to various specialty markets. It has operated in the West Piedmont Business Development Center since February 2004, and anticipates graduation in the next six to eight months.
William Clay Campbell is the recipient of the Ambassador of the Year Award. This award is given to a company or individual who goes beyond the call of duty in hosting new economic development prospects for Martinsville-Henry County. Campbell has been President of the Martinsville Speedway since 1988. An active member of the community, Campbell is a past board member of the Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County; when the hospital was sold became a member of the Harvest Foundation Board of Directors, which is charged with overseeing and distributing $200 million profit from sale of the hospital. He is also a member of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership board of directors, member of the Blue Ridge Airport Authority Board of Directors, member of the National Stock Car Racing Commission, past president of the Chamber of Commerce of Martinsville and Henry County, past president of the Martinsville YMCA board of directors, and has served on Patrick Henry Community College Foundation board of directors.
The Martinsville Bulletin and BTW Channel 21 are recipients of the Tourism Achievement Award. This is the first year that this award has been given and is awarded to individuals or companies for their outstanding contribution to the tourism efforts of the area. Both of these companies have been extremely supportive of the Community Pride Campaign. The Martinsville Bulletin has encouraged and fully supported the publication and distribution of The Spotlight, the area’s Community Pride publication. BTW Channel 21 has also encouraged community participation in the campaign in countless ways. “Both have taken initiative in promoting the campaign, highlighting the positives of our community so that residents can share this pride with external visitors and help us build a successful tourism program,” states David Rotenizer, Director of Tourism.
A Legacy Award was presented to the furniture industry, specifically Bassett Furniture Industries, Hooker Furniture Corporation, Stanley Furniture and American of Martinsville. In his remarks, EDC President/CEO Mark Heath stated, “Each of these companies we recognize today has traveled different paths to accomplish the same goal – to succeed and thrive in an ever-changing global economy.”
Each company was presented a hand crafted plate by artist Leanne Pizio of Oak Ridge, NC.
Please see the attached remarks for specific details about each company and their contributions to our area. They are numerous and far-reaching – past, present and future.
The Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation is the lead economic development agency serving Martinsville and Henry County. The Corporation’s mission is to create new job opportunities and expand the tax base for the area.
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