The Gazette-Times

Six Oregon companies and three individuals will receive the 2008 Excellence in Family Business Award presented by Oregon State University's Austin Family Business Program.

Eight additional companies will be recognized as finalists at the awards event. More than 140 companies have received this recognition since the awards were first presented in 1988.

Reser's Fine Foods of Beaverton, Nosler of Bend and Solar Summit of Philomath are among the Oregon companies that will receive the award.

The awards recognize the achievements of family businesses in innovation, entrepreneurship, commitment and community involvement. The Austin Family Business Program, in OSU's College of Business, serves family-owned companies through workshops, seminars and family business management courses.

Family businesses are nominated for the award by employees, advisers and owners. More than 100 family businesses were nominated this year.

This year, two new awards are being given: The Dean's Award, for leadership in family business, will be presented to Reser's Fine Foods for its leadership in industry, business, community and family.

The Director's Award for community involvement goes to Azumano Travel, for its service in Oregon and around the world.

Awards and categories

Micro business (nine or fewer employees):

• Healthy Pets Northwest, Portland

Finalists:

• Olufson Designs LLC, Corvallis

• Solar Summit, Philomath

Small business (10 to 24 employees):

• Glass Alchemy, Portland

Finalists:

• Old Dominion Collision Repair, Eugene

• Reece & Associates, Albany.

Medium business (25 to 99 employees):

• R&R King Logging of Florence

Finalists:

• Shonnard's Nursery, Florist & Landscape, Corvallis

• Naturebake/Dave's Killer Bread, Milwaukie

Large business (100 or more employees):

• Nosler Inc., Bend.

Finalists:

• Airefco Inc., Tualatin

• Umpqua Dairy Products, Roseburg.

The Austin Family Business Program at OSU began in 1985 at the suggestion of Joan Austin of Newberg-based A-dec Inc., and was endowed by Ken and Joan Austin in 1994.

AT A GLANCE

For information about the Family Business Awards or the Austin Family Business Program, go to familybusinessonline.org.