2009 Harford Awards Presented: 5 Local Firms Recognized

From Harford County government:

(Bel Air, MD) – – The 18th annual Harford Award Program was held Wednesday, September 23 at the Richlin Ballroom. Over 385 business and community leaders attended the dinner event that recognized five Harford County firms for their outstanding contributions to the community, the economy and their employees. Since its inception, the event has honored over 82 companies including these honorees. This year’s theme was “Building Bridges…Continuing our Legacy.”

This year’s winners were: Chesapeake Environmental Management, Inc., Churchville Veterinary Clinic, Inc., Comer Construction, Inc., Harford Habitat for Humanity, Inc. and McComas Funeral Home, Inc. Each organization represents the best in each of the following respective business categories: Technology, Retail, Industrial, Non-profit and Service.

The 2009 Harford Award Winners:

Chesapeake Environmental Management, Inc.

Chesapeake Environmental Management, Inc. was founded by Ms. Stephanie Novak Hau in 1993 with a simple, but focused mission of “Applying Practical Science to Improve Communities.” They are an independently owned environmental consulting firm serving the mid-Atlantic region. Their work is primarily in providing scientific assessments, assisting with permitting and preparing remediation designs for a myriad of land and water resource issues to both government and private clients. Despite the current economy, Chesapeake Environmental Management has been able to increase sales by 50 percent and staff by 60 percent. The firm is active in public and private education through their hosting of the “Million Dollar Body Challenge” at both Jarrettsville Elementary School and Harford Friends Middle School. Chesapeake Environmental was also named as one of the “Top 100 Minority or Woman-Owned Business in Maryland by the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs in 2006 and 2008.

Churchville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

Churchville Veterinary Clinic was started by Dr. Richard P. Streett, Jr. in June 1971 in a 2,000 square foot building in Churchville. For several years, Dr. Streett was the only employed veterinarian at the clinic. A typical work week consisted of his working 70 – 80 hours per week. Dr. Street and his family lived next door to the practice in order that he could be on call 24/7 to meet the needs of the local farm community. At the time, his practice was a mixed animal practice of farm and small animals; and today that has evolved into almost exclusively a small animal clinic reflecting the changes and growth within Harford County.

The Churchville Veterinary Clinic remains today in its original location, but has expanded to 7,000 square feet. The practice now includes five business entities: three state-of-the art small animal veterinary clinics, a kennel and a grooming salon employing ten veterinarians and 45 employees. Dr. Richard P. Streett, Jr. and the three partners, Dr. Paula Winters, Dr. Daniel Hopkins and Dr. Richard P. Streett, III, are active leaders in the Harford County community.

Comer Construction Company, Inc.

This construction firm started back in 1982 with four employees. Today Comer Construction employs over 120 full time employees with more than 90% of those employees being residents of Harford County. All three owners/officers, and their families, were born and raised, and currently reside and work in Harford County. Comer Construction’s pride in Harford County is the motivating factor for its strong involvement in numerous Harford County board and committees. The firm has also provided resources for playgrounds, local parades, four wheel drive vehicles for snow emergencies and transporting of medical patients. Comer has been generous in providing personnel and financial support to Harford Hospice Center, Fallston Recreation Center, Harford United Charities and many others.

Harford Habitat for Humanity, Inc.

As a non-profit, Harford Habitat for Humanity has demonstrated its strong commitment to the community. Its staff has grown considerably over the past six years and the program enhances the business climate through its mission of providing homeownership opportunities for low-income families and revitalization of communities.

The organization has two programs, the construction of affordable permanent homes for eligible families with greatest need and a repair program, FIXIT UP. By meeting the basic requirements for shelter, Harford Habitat improves critical conditions for Harford County families.

Between 1993 and 2003, the non-profit constructed 16 homes in the Aberdeen and Edgewood community with grassroots fundraising and volunteer support. In the next six years, Habitat for Humanity completed an additional 24 homes and by the end of 2009 will have completed its 46th home. Hundred of community volunteers donate thousand of service hours to include a partnership with Harford Technical High School students who built homes at the school and were transported to the waiting foundations.

McComas Funeral Home, Inc.

In 1808, a cabinet maker who had fought in the Revolutionary War decided that his small town of Abingdon was in need of a place to memorialize those who had died. Aaron McComas started what has become today McComas Funeral Home, Inc. to meet that need. Two hundred years later McComas Funeral Home is considered a leading provider of funeral services in Maryland. This funeral home has been family-owned and operated for six generations.

In 2009, the U.S. Small Business Administration recognized McComas Funeral Home as the Maryland “Family Owned Small Business of the Year.” Abingdon Fire Company, Boys and Girls Club, Harford Hospice, Special Olympics, Harford County Fuel Fund are just some of the many organizations that McComas Funeral Home supports throughout the year.

The Harford Awards program, produced by Harford County Government, the Office of Economic Development; Harford Community College; and the Harford County Chamber of Commerce, continues to be a celebratory occasion to honor these prestigious companies who give back to the community.

The 2009 Harford Awards were videotaped by Comcast, a corporate sponsor and major contributor to the evening. Comcast videotaped segments for each award winner, which premiered during the awards ceremony and will be broadcasted at 7 pm every Saturday evening in October on Harford Cable Network on Comcast Channel 21 and Armstrong Channel 7.

For more information on Harford Award Winners or to nominate a company for consideration of the 2009 Harford Award, contact the Office of Economic Development at 410-638-3059 or visit their website at www.harfordbusiness.org.