Companies in Jackson and Washington counties were singled out by Gov. Jeb Bush at an award ceremony Monday marking the beginning of the 22nd annual Business Appreciation Week.
Patient Practitioners LLC of Chipley won an "Innovation Award." Family Dollar Distribution Center in Marianna won a "Newcomer Award."
"We are proud to be a new business partner in Florida and look forward to contributing to the Jackson County community for years to come," Billy Jones, vice president of distribution for Family Dollar Stores Inc., said in a written statement.
In an intimate ceremony in the Governor's Mansion, Bush praised all 12 award winners, posing with executives before joining them for lunch.
"I don't know if we express enough appreciation for the entrepreneurs, the dreamers," Bush said. "I believe that success is never final and reform is never complete. I appreciate all of you."
Patient Practitioners pioneered an electronic health tracking system for patient records that reduces the need for office visits and time missed from work. Family Dollar recently opened a $50 million distribution center that serves 2,600 stores and employs 400 workers.
Below is a list of all the award recipients:
Business Expansion: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc. (Palm Beach County), Mega Market; Florikan E.S.A. Corporation (Sarasota County), Major Market
Entrepreneurship: Skillstorm, Inc. (Broward County), Mega Market; MadahCom, Inc. (Manatee County), Major Market
Export Excellence: BIOMET Company (Palm Beach County), Mega Market; Oceaneering Multiflex (Bay County), Major Market;
Innovation: Nemours (Duval County), Mega Market; AuthenTec (Brevard County), Major Market; Patient Practitioners, LLC (Washington County), Mid Market
Newcomer: Quadrant Software, Inc. (Hillsborough County), Mega Market; Ruth's Chris Steak House, LLC (Seminole County), Major Market; Family Dollar Distribution Center (Jackson County), Mid Market
“These companies have demonstrated exceptional innovation and dedication to Florida's economic growth,
increasing capital investment and promoting positive corporate citizenship,” said Enterprise Florida President and
CEO John Adams. “We applaud these model businesses and their contributions to entrepreneurship, corporate
leadership and volunteerism, all of which make Florida such a wonderful place to work and live.”
By Jim Ash
DEMOCRAT CAPITAL BUREAU CHIEF
The event was sponsored by Bank of America and Florida Trend magazine.
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