The Women Presidents’ Organization, in partnership with American Express OPEN, named Burnsville-based Innovative Office Solutions, LLC, as one of the 50 fastest-growing women-owned and/or -led companies in North America. The company’s CEO is Jennifer Smith.
The U.S. Small Business Administration recognized two Minnesota companies with its annual Tibbetts Award, which honors companies and individuals for their excellence in the Small Business Innovation Research program. Primordial, a St. Paul-based provider of off-route planning and navigation software, and Advanced Circulatory Systems, Inc., a Roseville-based company whose technology helps increase blood circulation, were this year’s winners from Minnesota.
Maplewood-based 3M Company announced that it has received two Edison Awards, which recognize “the most innovative products in the world.” It won a Silver Edison Award for Quality of Life in the lifestyle and social impact category for its 3M Kind Removal Silicone Tape, as well as a Silver Edison Award for Analytic Systems in the science and medical category for its 3M Petrifilm Aerobic Count Plate.
In addition, 3M and Michigan-based Esys Automation were named the 2012 Automotive News PACE Award winners for their joint submission of the automated precision wheel-balance system AutoW8t. The award honors superior innovation, technological advancement, and business performance among automotive suppliers.
The late William “Bill” Marvin, who built Warroad-based Marvin Windows and Doors from a small lumberyard into a leading window and door manufacturer, was inducted into the Idea Hall of Fame, which was created in conjunction with the Idea Competition—a contest that awards entrepreneurs in Northwest Minnesota for their breakthrough business ideas.
The Building Owners and Managers Association in Minneapolis named three Minneapolis area properties as winners of its TOBY Awards, which recognize excellence in office building management. The IDS Center, owned by MB Minneapolis 8th Street, LLC, and managed by Inland American Office Management, LLC, won in the “over 1 million square feet” category. Target Plaza, owned by Target Corporation and managed by Target Corporate Real Estate, won in the “corporate facility” category. Wells Fargo Plaza, owned by Invesco and managed by Zeller Realty Group, won in the “renovated building” category.
Eagan-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota announced that it has earned the highest possible accreditation status of “excellent” for health plans by the National Committee on Quality Assurance.
Fox News named St. Paul-based Summit Brewing Company’s Maibock beer among the top 10 spring beers from U.S. and German breweries.
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman recently honored the following 10 businesses, individuals, and organizations during the 2012 Sustainable Saint Paul Awards: Roger Svendsen, clean-up and beautification award; Bob Piram, exceptional environmental steward award; Youth Outdoors/Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa, youth leadership award; District Energy St. Paul, renewable energy award; Baldinger Bakery, commercial green building design award; Val Cunningham, natural resources conservation award; Patricia James, water quality or conservation award; Home Energy Squads, energy efficiency and conservation award; East Side Neighborhood Development Company, environmental education and awareness award; and Jim Giebel, sustainable city staff award.
Minneapolis-based MakeMusic, Inc., announced that MusicTech Magazine has awarded Garritan’s Instant Orchestra, an orchestral software library, with its “Choice” and “Value” awards.
Lynn Christopher Richardson, superintendent for Northfield Schools, was named the 2012 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year. Richardson was selected by a panel of representatives from a variety of Minnesota educational organizations.
Charlie Bolger, chief financial officer at Bolger Vision Beyond Print in Minneapolis, received the 2012 Graphic Arts Industry Leader of the Year award from The Printing Industry Midwest. Paul Byers of RR Donnelley Twin Cities and Stacey Larson of Inver Grove Heights-based Travel Tags received Customer Service Representative of the Year awards; Matt Hammes of St. Paul-based Western Graphics received the Production Professional of the Year award; and the People’s Choice award was presented to Carlson Print Group of Eden Prairie.
Minneapolis-based branding firm Franke+Fiorella selected Kellie Schneider as the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship. Schneider, a college senior design student at the College of Visual Arts, submitted her design portfolio for consideration during the AIGA Minnesota’s “Portfolio 1-on-1” program.
Friendship Village, a senior housing facility in Bloomington, was awarded the 2012 Citation of Merit award from Environments for Aging magazine. Minneapolis-based Kraus Anderson served as construction manager for the award-winning project.
Fish & Richardson—a Boston-based law firm with operations in Minneapolis—was named a 2012 “Go-To Intellectual Property Law Firm” for the top Fortune 500 companies in the April issue of Corporate Counsel magazine. The firm was named a “Go-To IP Law Firm” by nine Fortune 500 companies, including Minneapolis-based Target Corporation.
E-mail your Accolades to edit@tcbmag.com.