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2012 BBB Torch Award

2012 BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics winner!

Local businesses lauded for ethics

By MAGGIE KIELY " target="_blank">maggie.kiely@theeagle.com

Eagle photo/Dave McDermand

(Left to right) Bobby Miksch of Aggieland Automotive, Richard Ruffino of Readfield Meats and Deli, Celia Goode-Haddock and Karen McCarol of University Title Company, and Beverly and Kyle Greenwood of BMI Defense Systems received Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics from the Better Business Bureau at a ceremony held Thursday at Pebble Creek Country Club.

 

Four local businesses were recognized Thursday by the Brazos Valley Better Business Bureau for their ability to operate successfully while keeping workplace and customer service values a priority.

Each year, the BBB presents Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics in small-, medium- and large-business categories.

The BBB received 38 nominations and selected 17 finalists before narrowing it down to the four winners. For the first time in award history, judges chose two businesses for the medium category winners, making it a tie.

Recipients were:

* Bobby Miksch and Kirk Holland of Aggieland Automotive off of Brentwood Drive in College Station for small business.

In a reference letter for the company, a customer wrote, “They provide quality customer service, a reasonable price; they are true to their word and stand behind their work.”

* Richard, Larry and Roland Ruffino of Readfield Meats and Deli off of S. Texas Avenue in Bryan for medium business.

Founded 52 years ago by the Ruffino brothers’ parents, the meat shop was selected for to receive a Torch Award based on its ability to draw in and maintain customers from across the Brazos Valley, BBB officials said.

* Karen McCarrol and Celia Goode-Haddock of University Title Company off of University Drive in College Station for medium business.

Having grown from a two-person office in 1973 to a business that employs 50, the BBB said the title group was chosen in part for its success in instilling accountability and ethics in their employees.

The company previously took home a Torch Award in 2003.

* Beverly and Kyle Greenwood of BMI Defense Systems for large business.

Officials said the reason the defense company was chosen was best expressed by a retired Marine Corps general in his reference letter:

“They maintain a standard of ethical excellence unmatched by any other company I know …. and is directed by a team that exemplifies the best traits of family, business and community leadership.”

Readfield Meats & Deli: “Meat” the Ruffinos

The Eagle
Ruffino MeatsPeople in Bryan recognize the big red steer off Texas Avenue. The steer marks the location for Readfield Meats & Deli and people passing down the street know the steer represents some of the best meats and service in the area. Their customers attribute the long success of the business to the experience of the Ruffino brothers – Richard, Larry, and Roland – and the unique products and services they provide.

The Ruffino family has an established history in the meat business. John and Virginia Ruffino, whose families were from Sicily, settled in Bryan as first-generation Americans. They owned a “mom-and-pop” grocery store on West 21st Street and later a wholesale meat company in downtown Bryan, Readfield Meats.

The first location was originally operated strictly as a meat wholesale business. But as business began to grow, so did the opportunities to serve the public. In 1968, Mr. Ruffino began retail service and moved to the current location on the corner of Texas Avenue and Mitchell Street. The three Ruffino brothers assumed leadership of the business while maintaining their father’s original goals: to provide quality products as a fair price with personal attention to the shopper.

In addition to regular deli items and fresh-sliced sandwich meats, Readfield’s has an extensive line of USDA Choice and Prime beef, Midwest, grain-fed pork, fresh poultry, and lamb and veal. Also, Readfield’s provides a complete service counter to custom-cut products to customers’ needs.

Readfield’s specializes in sausages and smoked meat products. Fresh Italian sausage is made from a family recipe. Other sausages include smoked country-style sausage, summer sausage, hot links and bratwurst. Smoked bacon, smoked turkeys, and spiral-sliced honey-glazed hams are also specialties of the store.

Other specialty items include a large assortment of domestic and imported cheeses, imported olives, olive oils and pastas. A new line has recently been added of frozen Cajun entrees, including stuffed chicken, turducken, and deep-fried turkeys.

In addition to Readfield Meats & Deli, the Ruffino brothers own and operate Ruffino Meats and Food Service, a wholesale meat processor and food distribution company serving the Brazos Valley and Central Texas. The Ruffino family appreciates the continued support and patronage of the communities of Bryan and College Station.

Article courtesy The Eagle newspaper. Originally online at this address:
http://www.theeagle.com/businesstechnology/focusonfamilybusiness/2002/15.htm