Honorees listed in Alphabetical order by last name
Dianne Grote Adams
President
Safex Inc.
President Dianne Grote Adams and Safex Inc. have changed the picture of health and safety consulting by making the business about people. Staff partner with clients to improve employee well-being, comply with government regulations, minimize workers’ compensation costs and maximize profits.
Safex goes beyond Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance by establishing standards that create a culture of safety that manifests itself in cleaner, safer and more productive job sites. Webinars and hybrid module training courses provide an outlet for meeting needs without travel.
Adams also emphasizes employee growth and professional development by encouraging continued education and involvement in professional organizations.
Every year, Safex employees help build a house with Habitat for Humanity, collect donations for Westerville Area Resource Ministry and other charities, and contribute to local food banks. Adams, a board member at Cristo Rey Columbus High School, encourages employees to participate in fundraisers of their choosing and often matches donations.
George Barrett
Chairman and CEO
Cardinal Health
As the health care landscape continues to evolve, Chairman and CEO George Barrett’s determination to ensure Cardinal Health is an essential part of the industry drives the organization forward. This determination has created an atmosphere of forward-thinking leaders with the goal of serving pharmacies, hospitals and ambulatory sites to reduce costs, improve efficiency and quality, and increase profitability.
Barrett continues to stay ahead of key trends within the health care marketplace and focuses on key priorities to keep the organization relevant. Several examples of this are Cardinal’s acquisition of AssuraMed, a home health care medical supplier, and its recent joint ventures with CVS Caremark and Fuse technology lab.
With more than 33,000 employees worldwide, Barrett strives to be a connected leader. He surrounds himself with diverse expertise and talent, and supports programs that develop the talent and skills needed to excel in a leading health services organization.
Wesley Bates
CEO
Stanley Steemer
Wesley Bates, CEO of Stanley Steemer, runs his organization with a bottom-up approach. Bates recognizes hard work and rewards his people, as evidenced through 235 franchise locations in 49 states, 80 percent of which are run by owners who began their careers at Stanley Steemer and worked their way up through the ranks.
Employee training, state-of-the-art equipment, innovative thinking and leadership have contributed to the continued success of Stanley Steemer. To maintain consistency across the entire organization, all cleaning equipment is manufactured and all vehicles outfitted from the headquarters in Dublin.
Bates continues to innovate and adapt to the evolving industry, leading Stanley Steemer beyond carpet cleaning and into sectors such as upholstery, tile and grout, hardwood floor, air duct cleaning and 24-hour emergency water services.
The company also is certified asthma & allergy friendly™ by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
J. Renee’ Claxton
President and CEO
Sort & Pack Inc., Catch of the Day Wholesale Liquidators LLC
President and CEO J. Renee’ Claxton founded Sort & Pack Inc. in 1996, after developing extensive experience in the wholesale and retail industries.
Her passion and industry knowledge has allowed her to cultivate significant international relationships, and positioned her as a go-to source for all fulfillment needs. Internally, she has fostered a culture of trust and loyalty among her employees, many of whom have worked for her for 10 to 12 years.
In 2006, Claxton purchased 10 acres and built Sort & Pack’s 40,000-square-foot facility in Columbus with a vision for future expansion. The company officially moved into the new facility in 2008, later adding its retail store, Catch of the Day Wholesale Liquidators LLC. There is enough land for further expansion, and the area is geographically positioned for growth.
Claxton’s business savvy was recognized just two years after launching Sort & Pack with the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ award.
Mark Daniels
President and managing partner
M+A Architects
In 2008, Mark Daniels, president and a managing partner with M+A Architects, understood that being flexible, nimble and brand focused was going to be critical during the downturn.
Instead of hunkering down, he became proactive in internal marketing and leadership training for employees, implemented a major rebranding effort, began setting annual smart goals and redefined the company’s culture.
Daniels helped grow the business by excelling in talent management and development. He implemented a specialized employee-training program and advanced a synergistic team-oriented and fun office culture — driving collaboration, efficiency and accountability.
The training program was implemented within the organization at four levels — architectural standards and methods training, project management training, key leader development training and individualized mentoring by senior staff.
Today, the quality level of the staff has increased, efficiency on projects is more evident and the firm is winning more prominent projects within the community.
