From Harford County government:
The annual Harford Award Program was held Wednesday, September 21 at the Richlin Ballroom in Edgewood. Over 350 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 dinner program has honored over 88 Harford County companies. This year’s theme was “Right Time, Right Place…Positioned for Success!”
The 2011 winners were: Bowhead, Celebree Learning Center, Johnson Family Pharmacy, Northeastern Supply, Inc. and the Y of Central Maryland-Walter and Betty Ward Family Center. Each organization represents the best in each of the following respective business categories: Technology, Service, Retail, Industrial and Non-profit.
2011 Harford Award Winners:
Bowhead
Bowhead, which is located in Belcamp, was awarded two government contracts in 2009 working with the Army Research Laboratory both at Aberdeen Proving Ground and the Adelphi locations. The company is under the corporate structure of the Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation which is part of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. The Inupiat people of Barrow, Alaska, a town of 4,600 and the northernmost community in the United States, are served by the UIC and Bowhead companies.
Bowhead representatives are active in many organizations such as the Northeastern Maryland Technology Council (NMTC), Association of the United States Army (AUSA), and the Armed Forces Community and Electronic Association (AFCEA). Bowhead staff members also serve on the Work Investment Board on the Susquehanna Workforce Network. Through the years Bowhead has been actively involved in STEM Education in this community and funds STEM Scholarships at Harford Community College.
UIC and Bowhead have benefitted from the diligence, innovation and strong Alaskan native culture’s appreciation for human relations and service that the people of Barrow possess.
Celebree Learning Centers, Inc.
Celebree, headquartered in Forest Hill, is a leader in quality child care, with the mission to protect, educate and nurture children from ages six weeks through school age and is comprised of twenty community-based centers throughout Maryland and Delaware.
The company was established by Richard Huffman in 1994 with the goal to provide communities in need with high quality child care and preschool services. Currently Celebree serves the families of more than 2,000 children and employs over 600 teachers and support staff.
The company has expanded and grown in Harford County over the years and at the same time has been very active in supporting causes important to the residents of our County.
Johnson Family Pharmacy
The Johnson Family opened a community pharmacy in 2005 serving residents of Aberdeen. The pharmacy provides pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical products, provides wound care and offers screening for blood pressure and diabetes.
This family business has grown from a very successful plan that has spurred other redevelopment along Bel Air Avenue and U.S. 40 in Aberdeen. The company owners, Julie and Steve Johnson, worked with the property owner to make it an attractive location in downtown Aberdeen and took the old business model of a soda shop in a pharmacy and put a modern twist to it. A gourmet coffee bar with seating inside and outside creates a friendly gathering place in the downtown Aberdeen area.
The Johnsons’ goal has always been to support the residents of Aberdeen and Harford County.
Northeastern Supply, Inc.
Founded in 1945 in converted row houses in downtown Baltimore, Northeastern Supply now operates three facilities in Harford County. Two branches are in Bel Air and Aberdeen and their state-of-the-art 100,000 sq. ft. Central Distribution Center is in Edgewood. The company is owned by the Cook Family.
In 1971 there were 12 people working for Northeastern and today over 300 people are employed in 33 locations. The Central Distribution Center ensures that residential and commercial plumbers in Harford County have the easiest and quickest access to supplies of any plumbers in the region.
In 2010, Northeastern Supply and the Cook Family were named “2010 Harford County Philanthropists of the Year.”
Y of Central Maryland, Walter and Betty Ward Family Center
The Y of Central Maryland – Walter and Betty Ward Family Center is a charitable organization dedicated to developing the full potential of every individual through programs that build health spirit, mind and body for all. The Y’s program is infused with four positive character values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
Since 1986, the Harford County Y has played a significant role in the community. In the very beginning the Y provided school age before- and after-school care. In 1990 the Y opened the William Paca Preschool and in 1994 opened the Harford Campus Preschool Center. With the addition of the Walter and Betty Ward Family Center in June 2007, the Y has positioned itself as business leader in the community.
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.
Activities were videotaped by Harford Cable Network (HCN), a corporate sponsor and major contributor to the evening. HCN videotaped segments for each award winner, which premiered during the awards ceremony and will be broadcast at 7 pm every Friday evening in October on Harford Cable Network on Comcast Channel 21 and Armstrong Channel 7. Comcast continued its long-time support of the Harford Awards as another corporate sponsor in helping to honor local businesses.
For more information on the Harford Award Winners contact the Office of Economic Development at 410-638-3059 or visit their website at www.harfordbusiness.org.
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