faith in the future 2015 group photo

At its annual luncheon event on Friday, November 13, 2015, the Northeast TN/Southwest VA chambers of commerce and title sponsor CenturyLink announced eight companies across eight categories as winners of the 2015 Faith in the Future Award.

The Faith in the Future Award is given to recognize companies in the region that demonstrate a commitment to the future of their business, their employees, their community, and the region.
Nominees were required to have had been financially stable and operational for at least 12 months. Following this criteria, any company could be nominated by an individual who filled out the written application.

Out-of-state judges assessed the companies across three criteria: 1) how they inspire, motivate, and train employees, 2) how and where they are involved in the community, and 3) what they do that is innovative, fresh, and forward-thinking.

The business categories included Entrepreneur, Non-Profit, Manufacturing, Technology, Retail, Healthcare, Educational, and Professional Service.

Out of the thirty-three total nominees, eight were selected as winners. Mitch Cox Companies received the Faith in the Future award for the Professional Service category.

Josh Smith, WJHL news anchor, emceed while Rev. Lester Lattany, President and CEO of United Way of Washington County Tennessee, delivered the keynote address for the event located at the Millennium Centre in Johnson City.

The following is the complete list of the 2015 Faith in the Future Award recipients:

  • Entrepreneur – MarketingMel
  • Non-Profit – Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton
  • Healthcare – Mountain States Health Alliance Volunteer Auxiliary
  • Retail – Free Service Tire Company
  • Manufacturing – General Shale
  • Technology – WebCoUSA
  • Educational – ETSU Office of Professional Development
  • Professional Service – Mitch Cox Companies

The 2015 Faith in the Future Award Nominees:

  1. Appalachia Service Project
  2. Arbico / Peak Restaurants
  3. Barter Theatre
  4. BedInABox, LLC
  5. Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County
  6. Bryant Consultants
  7. Cartridge World
  8. CASA of Northeast Tennessee
  9. Cranberries
  10. The Creative Energy Group
  11. The Crumley House
  12. Eastern Eight Community Development Corp.
  13. Edwards Ragan and Associates, LLC
  14. Ensley, Baker & Shade PLLC
  15. ETSU Office of Professional Development
  16. Free Service Tire Company, Inc.
  17. General Shale
  18. Goodwill Industries of Tenneva
  19. Greater Eastern Credit Union
  20. Holston Habitat for Humanity
  21. Johnson City Brewing Company
  22. The Mall at Johnson City
  23. MarketingMel
  24. Marsh Regional Blood Center
  25. Mitch Cox Companies
  26. Mountain States Health Alliance – Volunteer Auxiliary Resources
  27. NN, Inc.
  28. Personal Finanace Company, LLC
  29. Strongwell
  30. Ultimate Shine 3 Minute Express Car Wash
  31. WebCoUSA Entreprises
  32. WJHL – TV
  33. YWCA Bristol