Car Pros Automotive Group has grown from a used car lot with two employees to an automotive group with over 500 employees and seven stores in two states, selling over 2,000 cars per month. According to the CEO, Stevie Award-winner Matthew Phillips, MBA, the success of Car Pros is directly related to its mission of changing lives through a high-performance, value-led dealership culture.

From Lot to Leadership
Matthew is a passionate automotive retail executive, growing the company from a used car lot with two employees into a company with annual sales of $1 billion, while at the same time breaking multiple molds in a tradition-bound industry.

Automotive retailing tends to be dominated by men, hierarchy, and traditional internal combustion vehicles. As an LGBTQ+ person, Matthew believes in empowering people, particularly under-represented groups. His 20-year journey from “lot to leadership” provides a real-world perspective on how to build high-performance workplace cultures, informing his personal brand of metric-driven accountability based on industry experience, leadership, and continued education.

He holds MBAs from Cornell University, NY, and Queen’s University, Ontario; an MA in Organizational Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University; and a BA in Accounting from University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA. Matthew is also a graduate of the National Automobile Dealers Association’s Dealer Academy.

Not only is Matthew a maverick in showing the industry how it can evolve, but as a board member of the Washington State Dealers Association and of Kia’s National Dealer Council, he works from the inside to promote positive change and demonstrate that the franchised dealer system is ready to meet the needs of customers and communities now and in the future.

Powering Change
In the automotive industry, DE&I progress has been slow but steady: Hireology reports that while many dealerships say DE&I is an important issue, only 24% are aware of DE&I best practices at their dealerships — an indication of awareness but not enough action.

Matthew’s personal experience reflects this reality of evolving change toward inclusiveness and tolerance. He sees DE&I as the foundation of today’s high-performance retail operation and believes that diversity of experiences is mission critical to selling successfully: your customers are diverse, so your team better be as well.

“Inclusive leadership is about changing the paradigm,” says Matthew. “We sell cars by empowering people to sell cars. We were one of the first to provide insurance for domestic partners and adopt anti-discrimination policies. We’ve been at the forefront of training for inclusivity and have worked to make our dealerships welcoming places for everyone.” What has been most rewarding for Matthew, he says, is when his commitment to authenticity has given others the courage to be successful in their most authentic way.

Matthew continues to drive real change for the betterment of car buyers. He seeks to represent the future of automotive retail, shifting to meet the needs resulting from the adoption of technology, assessing economic realities, and broadening consumer expectations.

Car Pros Automotive Group CEO Matthew Phillips won a Silver Stevie Award for Maverick of the Year in The 2023 American Business Awards®. 

Interested in entering The 2024 American Business Awards®?

Stevie-winner Otus is an educational technology company helping K-12 educators to harness and act on educational data to improve learner outcomes.

Otus provides educators with one platform to gather, visualize, and act on data. With an integrated suite of assessment and grading tools, educators can easily determine where students are now and use data to drive instruction and personalized learning plans forward.

Otus was created and built for teachers, by teachers. It saves educators time through the streamlined integration of assessment, performance tracking, and third-party data, while its gradebook and dashboard reports make it easier for teachers, administrators, and families to understand each student’s growth.

Since its conception in a Chicago middle school classroom in 2013, Otus has been adopted by over 2,500 schools across the United States and has delivered improved results for more than 1 million learners. Recently passing its 10th anniversary, Otus continues to improve and expand its team, its product, and its support of educators nationwide.

Developing the All-in-One Platform
Chris Hull—or “Chull” as his colleagues refer to him—is the Co-Founder and President of Otus. While the team has grown to include over 50      passionate members, Chris is still just as involved in the direction of the product and is as passionate about helping improve K-12 education as he was on day one.

Since Otus made its first sale to a public school system in 2016, the product and the company have both evolved in a myriad of ways, but Chris remains focused on putting educators first, viewing everything the company does from an educator’s perspective.

While most ed-tech solutions address one area of learning, such as assessment or grading, Otus addresses and enhances every step of the learning process. As an all-in-one, integrated platform, Otus eliminates the issue of scattered, siloed student data that plagues K-12 education, as well as the issues that come with implementing and maintaining multiple different ed-tech platforms.

With over 80,000 education apps available in the United States, educators have an abundance of options when it comes to choosing tools to help them in the classroom. Many tech giants such as Google and Microsoft have also released products that compete with Otus. For a company that just began selling to school districts in 2016, Otus has done an exceptional job of breaking into what is a vast and competitive ed-tech market.

In recent years, inflation has impacted school budgets, which has forced administrators to take a hard look at the software they use and, if need be, eliminate subscriptions to services that no longer serve them. For the year 2022, Otus had a net retention of 109.5%, which the company attributes to the quality of the product, service to users, and the reasonable price point per student.

During a time when tech companies across the board are letting employees go in droves, Otus has not only retained its staff but continues to grow its teams. This is an indication not only of the financial vitality of the company but also of employee satisfaction and their belief in Otus’ mission and vision.

As a company comprised largely of former educators, the team at Otus knows exactly what tools educators need and what quality ed-tech looks like. Their belief in the future of the company indicates that Otus is providing a service that speaks to educators and their ever-evolving needs.

Continued Evolution
Thanks to Otus’ continued commitment to listening to customer voices, the product has evolved into a comprehensive suite of integrated tools that truly benefits educators each day in the classroom.

Otus is constantly working to improve its offerings to better serve educators and students, not only through new enhancements to the platform and growth of its support teams but also by partnering with leading education organizations and integrating with other world-class ed-tech products. For example, in the last year, Otus has built new partnerships with respected ed-tech providers such as CenterPoint Education Solutions and Skyward, meaning more integrations that enhance users’ experience in the platform and, in some instances, make Otus easily accessible to users of partner platforms.

But while new partnerships and improvements to the platform can be indicators of success, there is no better source of truth than the customers themselves. According to a recent survey of Otus users, 98% say that Otus makes them more efficient educators—saving them an average of two hours every week. Additionally, Otus boasts a 98% chat approval rating and a response time of under three minutes. 

Otus is invested in the success of its users—from the district administrators and teachers to the students and families they serve. Otus says they are determined to provide a service that not only improves the K-12 education system but maximizes outcomes for the students who rely on it.

Otus's Co-founder and President Chris Hull won a Silver Stevie Award for Technology Executive of the Year; and Otus won two Bronze Stevie Awards for Customer Service Department of the Year and Company of the Year - Computer Software - Medium in The 2023 American Business Awards^®.

Interested in entering The 2024 American Business Awards^®?

The Stevie® Awards for Women in Business, the world's top honors for women entrepreneurs, executives, employees, and the organizations they run have announced the 2023 winners today. 

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business is an international competition produced by the creators of the prestigious International Business Awards® and American Business Awards®. The Stevie is widely regarded as the world’s premier business award. 

Finalists in the 2023 competition were announced in September. The Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award placements among the Finalists were revealed at tonight’s gala event at New York’s Marriot Marquis Hotel. More than 400 nominated working women and their guests attended the presentations, which were broadcast live via Livestream.

The 2023 competition attracted more than 1,600 nominations submitted by organizations and individuals in 26 nations. Winners were honored for achievements in more than 100 categories including Executive of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Most Innovative Company of the Year, Startup of the Year, and Women-Run Workplace of the Year. More than 200 business professionals working in seven specialized judging committees determined the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners.

Grand Stevie Award trophies were presented to five organizations that submitted the best body of entries to the competition, in their own names or in the names of one or more clients. These awards cannot be applied for directly. Grand winners were determined by the total number of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Awards won in the competition, with a Gold Stevie win counting for 3 points, a Silver Stevie for 2 points, and a Bronze Stevie counting for 1.5.

The 2023 Grand Stevie Award winners, listed in descending order by points, are as follows:

• IBM, worldwide, with 37 points, for 4 Gold, 5 Silver, and 10 Bronze Stevie Award wins
• Green Door Co, Sydney, New South Wales, with 23 points for 3 Gold, 3 Silver, and 4 Bronze Stevie Award wins on behalf of themselves and several of their clients
• Purpol Marketing Ltd, Chippenham, United Kingdom, with 18.5 points for 2 Gold, 4 Silver, and 3 Bronze Stevie Award wins on behalf of themselves and clients
• Everise, Florida, United States, with 17 points for 3 Gold and 4 Silver Stevie Awards 
• Women's Biz Global, Queensland, Australia with 11.5 points for 1 Gold, 2 Silver, and 3 Bronze Stevie Awards 

The 2023 Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Award winners reflect a diverse group of large and small organizations from around the world.

Notable Gold Stevie Award winners in this year’s competition include: 

• • A.S Watson Group, Hong Kong, China, for Company of the Year - Consumer Products - More Than 10 Employees
  • Amazon Web Services, Arlington, VA, U.S.A., for Communications or PR Campaign of the Year - Digital Media Relations
  • Cindy J. Miller, President and CEO, Stericycle, Inc., Bannockburn IL, U.S.A., for Female Executive of the Year - Business Services - More Than 2,500 Employees
  • Coca-Cola Company, Istanbul, Turkey, for Achievement in Women-related Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Dara Busch, Co-CEO, 5W Public Relations, New York, NY U.S.A., for Woman of the Year - Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations
  • Havas Health & You, New York, NY U.S.A., for Marketing Campaign of the Year -  Healthcare - Disease Education & Awareness
  • Heather Hoytink, President South Division, PepsiCo Beverages North America South Division, Orlando, FL, U.S.A., for Female Executive of the Year - Consumer Products - More Than 2,500 Employees
  • Hilton Supply Management, McClean, VA, U.S.A., for Best New Product or Service of the Year - Business Services
  • Kelley Higney, Founder & CEO, Bug Bite Thing, Port St. Lucie, FL, U.S.A, for Female Thought Leader of the Year - Consumer Products
  • LTK, Dallas, TX, U.S.A., for Most Innovative Company of the Year - More Than 10 Employees
  • Nancy McKinstry, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, Wolters Kluwer, Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands, for Best Female Entrepreneur- Business Services - More Than 2,500 Employees
    
  • Preethika S. Kalyanasundaram, Product Executive, Salesforce, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A., for Most Innovative Woman of the Year - Computer Software Industry
  • Rashmi Verma, VP of Employee Experience, Hugo Boss, Metzingen, Germany, for Maverick of the Year - Consumer Products - Durables
  • Thamina Stoll, Leader & Senior Client Solutions Manager, LinkedIn, New York, NY, U.S.A., for Female Employee of the Year - Business - Computer Services
  • Tina Mahal, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Frito-Lay North America, Plano, TX, U.S.A., for Female Executive of the Year - Consumer Products - More Than 2,500 Employees

Organizations that won more than two or more Gold Stevie Awards, besides the Grand winners mentioned above, include Alena Bennett, C. Light Technologies, EngageSmart, Everything Podcasts, Halkbank, LickYourPhone Media, Paxon Energy & Infrastructure, and TELUS.

Visit http://www.StevieAwards.com/Women for a complete list of Stevie winners by category.

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business event will be complemented by the seventh annual Women|Future Conference, a one-day virtual networking and learning event on July 23 for women entrepreneurs, small business owners, and industry leaders. Details and registration will be available soon at www.WomenFutureConference.com.  

Entries for the 2024 (21st annual) Stevie Awards for Women in Business will open in May. Sign up now to get the entry kit once it becomes available.

Stevie-winner Prudential Financial Inc., is a global insurance company with operations spanning the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

Offering a diverse range of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, and investment management, Prudential has positioned itself as a driving force in the financial industry.

In response to an increasing demand for financial advice, Prudential launched "Stages for Retirement," an initiative driven by customer needs and designed with a customer-centric approach. The platform combines digital tools with access to a team of seasoned advisors, allowing users to receive personalized advice at their convenience. The online experience not only helps users envision their ideal retirement but also provides a proprietary confidence score to benchmark their readiness.

Recognizing the changing landscape where more Americans seek financial advice with varying preferences (i.e., online, virtual, or face-to-face), Prudential has reimagined its direct-to-consumer business model to stay relevant in an industry experiencing newfound flexibility.

The platform's agility and responsiveness to customer needs were evident in the rapid launch of "Stages for Retirement" in less than a year. This venture followed a meticulous three-phase approach, involving validation, discovery, and building the minimum viable product. The strategy included comprehensive testing, interviews, surveys, and prototype iterations, ensuring a harmonious alignment between customer needs and Prudential's expertise.

In a departure from traditional corporate approaches, Prudential embraced an agile startup mindset, seeking co-creation with customers through extensive testing and research. The Retirement Confidence Score, a unique differentiator, evaluates users' retirement readiness across key drivers and allows them to track their progress.

Prudential Financial won a Gold Stevie Award for Best Mobile Web & App in the Financial Services category and a Bronze Stevie Award for Achievement in Product Innovation in The 2023 American Business Awards^®.

Interested in entering The 2024 American Business Awards^®?

Prudential Stages is an umbrella marketing name for Pruco Securities LLC, (sometimes referred to as “Pruco”) under the marketing name Prudential Financial Planning Services (PFPS), pursuant to a separate agreement.  Investment advisory products and services are made available through Pruco, a registered investment adviser.

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The region’s only awards to recognize innovation in all its forms in the workplace in 18 nations is now accepting nominations through December 6.

By popular demand, the Stevie Awards have announced a final entry deadline extension for the fifth annual Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards sponsored by the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce. Entries will now be accepted through Wednesday, December 6 (the original final entry deadline was November 7.) Details are available at http://MENA.StevieAwards.com.

The Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards are the region’s only awards to recognize innovation in all its forms throughout the workplace. The awards are open to all organizations in 18 nations in the MENA region: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

All individuals & organizations may submit any number of nominations to any number of the categories.

There are no entry fees in this awards program. Organizations may submit as many nominations as they would like, without cost. Instead, Gold, Silver, & Bronze Stevie Award winners will pay a “winners fee” for each successful nomination.

Winners of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Awards in the competition will be announced on January 18, 2024, and celebrated during a gala event in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE on March 2.

The 2024 competition features new categories to better recognize innovation and excellence in the workplace. The new Individual Professional Award Categories recognize individuals who have demonstrated exceptional innovation and forward-thinking qualities within their organization or industry.

Other new categories include Innovative Achievement in Sustainability (added to the Achievement Categories), Most Innovative Contact Center of the Year and Most Innovative Customer Service Department / Team of the Year (added to the Customer Service Categories), and Award for Most Innovative HR Department / Team of the Year has been added to the Human Resources Categories.

Nominations citing innovative achievements will be accepted and judged in both Arabic and English, in more than 100 categories across the following category groups:

• Apps & Websites
• Achievements
• Annual Reports & Other Publications
• Company/Organization
• Corporate Communications & Public Relations
• Customer Service
• Human Resources
• Individual Professionals
• Live & Virtual Events
• Management
• Marketing
• New Products & Services
• Social Media
• Technology
• Videos
• Thought Leadership

Winners of the 2023 edition with multiple Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Awards include Bagcılar Municipality, Turkey; Department of Health Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; DHL Express, Several Nations; Etihad Rail, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; INFLOW Network, Qatar; Integrated Transport Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Karaca Zuccaciye A.S., Istanbul, Turkey; Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Saudi Aramco, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; and ZIGMA8 | 360º CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS, Tehran, Iran, among others.

The 2024 competition will be judged by more than 150 professionals in the MENA region and around the world.

Interested in submitting nominations before the

December 6 final deadline?

More than 400 female entrepreneurs, executives, and employees will gather at New York's Marriott Marquis Hotel this Friday evening, November 10 for the presentation of the 20th annual Stevie® Awards for Women in Business, widely recognized as the world's top honors for the achievements of women in the workplace.

Finalists in the 2023 competition were announced in September.  The Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award placements among the Finalists will be revealed at Friday's event.

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business are among eight Stevie Awards programs.  The others are The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.  A ninth program, the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence, will debut in 2024.  Learn about all of the Stevie Awards programs at www.StevieAwards.com.  

Entries for next year's Stevie Awards for Women in Business will open in May.  Get the entry kit.

Here is the list of organizations that will be represented at Friday's event (as of November 6):

4D Vision Gym, Cromwell, CT USA
Abu Dhabi Sport Council, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Al Ghurair Investment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Alteryx, Inc., Irvine, CA USA
Amazon Web Services, Arlington, VA USA
Ashley Deland, Burlington, ON Canada
Aspire, Phoenix, AZ USA
Autodesk, Inc., Portland, OR USA
Avetta, Lehi, UT and Houston, TX USA
BEYOND HC LLC, Sanford, FL USA
Big Deal Media, Barrington, IL USA
Biohaven, New Haven, CT USA
Blue Beyond Consulting, Castro Valley, CA USA
Blue Diamond Property Group, Sydney, NSW Australia
BODEN Agency, Miami, FL USA
BookSmarts Accounting & Bookkeeping, Kaysville, UT USA
Buy From A Black Woman, Atlanta, GA USA
C. Light Technologies, Boston, MA USA
Cherishers 811 CIC, Rugeley, Staffs United Kingdom 
Cigniti Technologies, Irving, TX USA
Cloud Studio (YouMe Lin LLC), New York, NY USA
Co Conspirators Agency, Kirkland, WA USA
Coast Professional, Inc., West Monroe, LA USA
Cognizant Technology Solutions, Teaneck, NJ USA
Cognizant, Los Angeles, CA USA
Creativ Vision Coaching, Bentleigh East, VIC Australia
CrossCountry Consulting, McLean, VA USA
DHL Global Forwarding, Freight, Bonn, Germany
Diageo, London, United Kingdom
Docs Outside the Box, St. Petersburg, FL USA
doTERRA International, Pleasant Grove, UT USA
DrivenIQ, Towson, MD USA
E29 Marketing, Larkspur, CA USA
EdHeroes Network, Triesen, Liechtenstein
EHR Concepts, Statesvilles, NC USA
Einstein Solutions, LLC, Covington, WA USA
Elevance Health, Atlanta, GA USA
Enterprising Women Magazine, Cary, NC USA
Equifax, Atlanta, GA USA
Everise, Planation, FL USA
Experience Management Institute, Delaware, OH USA
EY, Dallas, TX USA
Fairina Cheng Jewellery, Sydney, NSW Australia
Far Niente Wine Estates, Oakville, CA USA
FiveSeven Consulting Pty Ltd, Newcastle, NSW Australia
Friends Services Alliance, Blue Bell, PA USA
FunkkOFF! Inc., Dana Point, CA USA
GAF Energy, Parsippany, NJ USA
GEHA (Government Employees Health Association, Inc.), Lee's Summit, MO USA
Gratitude in Action, Billings MT USA
Green Hope Foundation, Toronto, ON Canada
Havas Health & You, New York, NY USA
Hilton Supply Management, McLean, VA USA
Honeylight Enterprises Pty Ltd T/A Greenville Development, Melbourne, VIC Australia
How Many Elephants, Alresford, Hampshire United Kingdom
HSBC, Woking, Surrey United Kingdom
Hygiea Health & Wellness, LLC, Greenfield, NH USA
IBM Manufacturing Solutions Pte Ltd, Singapore
IBM, Armonk, NY USA
IBM, Guadalajara, Mexico
IDEA Health & Fitness Association, San Diego, CA USA
iFOLIO, Atlanta, GA USA
Innovation Central Brisbane I Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD Australia
INVNT, New York, NY USA
iTalent Digital, San Jose, CA USA
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, San Jose, CA USA
JK Premier Marketing, Fayetteville, NC USA
John Alexander Consulting, New York, NY USA
Jones Publishing (Citywealth), London, United Kingdom
Karrikins Group, Lakewood, CO USA
Knopman Marks Financial, New York, NY USA
Mary Finch, Chicago, IL USA
MDI Novare, Taguig, Metro Manila Philippines
Media Cause, San Francisco, CA USA
Media Culture, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX USA
Michael Page International, New York, NY USA
MORE Latinoamerica, Wasilla, AK USA
Naish Partners, Santa Barbara, CA USA
Nancy Twine, Miami Beach, FL USA
Nativo, El Segundo, CA USA
Network for Victim Recovery of DC, Washington, DC USA
Nexxen, New York, NY USA
Northern Real Estate Urban Ventures, Washington, DC USA
Ocean Rescue Alliance International, Apollo Beach, FL USA
Ohanna Global, Sheridan, WY USA and Qatar/United Arab Emirates
Ordway Conservatory of Classical Ballet, Manassas, VA USA
Origen Air Systems Ltd., Victoria, BC Canada
Ossa, Tenafly, NJ USA
Pearl Interactive Network, Inc., Columbus, OH USA
Perituza Software Solutions, League City, TX USA
Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh, PA USA
PlanSource, Orlando, FL USA
PlayWise Partners, Los Angeles, CA USA
Pony Pals, Westford, MA USA
Proforma, Independence, OH USA
Purpol Marketing Ltd, Chippenham, Wiltshire United Kingdom
RedefinED Advisors LLC, Altoona, PA USA
Relevance International, New York, NY USA
ResultsCX, Fort Lauderdale, FL USA
Reverba, Seattle, WA USA
RNDC, Atlanta, GA USA
Room 17 Productions, Lexington, KY USA
Salesforce, San Francisco, CA USA
SAP SE, Walldorf, Germany
Savvas Learning Company, Paramus, NJ USA
Schneider Electric, Foxboro, MA USA
Shawarma Press Franchising, Irving, TX USA
SLB, Houston, TX USA
Sleepm Global, Inc., Markham, ON Canada
Spaulding Ridge, Chicago, IL USA
Stacey Ashley, Sydney, NSW Australia
Stress Free Super Mum, Gisborne, VIC Australia
SUN HOPE Co., Ltd., Chosei-gun, Chiba Japan
Team b. Strategy +, Tacoma, WA USA
Teladoc Health, Purchase, NY USA
TELUS, Vancouver, BC Canada
Terra Nova Medical, Richmond, BC Canada
The Alpha Enterprise, Cabuyao, Laguna Philippines
The Audacious Agency, Sunshine Coast, QLD Australia
The Executive Roundtable, Toronto, ON Canada
The Flute Academy, Sydney, NSW Australia
The Mach 1 Group, Austin, TX USA
The Social Element, New York, NY USA
The Stardust Food Company, Bethesda, MD USA
The Sway Effect, New York, NY USA
The Washington Post, Washington, DC USA
The Whitney Reynolds Show, Chicago, IL USA
Tiyya Foundation, Tustin, CA USA
TONE Networks, Oyster Bay, NY USA
Toshiba America Business Solutions, Lake Forest, CA USA
Transact Campus, Scottsdale, AZ USA
Trust Relations, Williams, AZ USA
Valasys Media LLC, Jersey City, NJ USA
VeriSIM Life, San Francisco, CA USA
ViewLift, New York, NY USA
Vmware, Palo Alto, CA USA
WDS Marketing & Public Relations, Overland Park, KS USA
We Rock DM, Austin, TX USA
Women Talk Tech, Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Women's Biz Global, Sydney, NSW Australia
WorkJam, Montreal, QC Canada
ZLH Enterprises, Manalapan, NJ USA 

Stevie-winner Black Knight, now part of ICE, is a leading provider of technology for the mortgage and real estate sectors. They offer a range of solutions that support the entire lifecycle of the mortgage loan process, including loan origination, servicing, and default management.

In September 2021, the company launched the LoanCatcher® loan origination system (LOS) to give independent mortgage brokers quality origination tools that could rival those used by even large financial institutions.

LoanCatcher Cloud-based Solution
To fully appreciate LoanCatcher, some context is needed. Mortgage brokers work with multiple wholesale lenders to help borrowers find the best loan products for their individual situations. As independent agents, mortgage brokers have the unique challenge of acting as an organization unto themselves—simultaneously juggling the responsibilities of loan advisor, customer service, marketing, operations and IT—with limited resources.

LoanCatcher solves mortgage brokers’ many challenges by folding multiple award-winning lending technologies into an all-in-one, easy-to-use LOS. Entirely cloud-based, LoanCatcher gives brokers affordable access to the same caliber of technology used by the nation’s largest and most successful lenders. In addition to a top-tier LOS, other core components of LoanCatcher include:

Point of sale
LoanCatcher’s white-labeled digital lending portal makes it easy for borrowers to complete their applications, uploading and eSigning documents from anywhere. The user-friendly interface is and helps create a positive consumer experience from the first step.

Customer relationship management (CRM) and marketing platform
LoanCatcher is integrated with Surefire^SM, the mortgage industry’s most-used CRM and marketing automation platform. Adding Surefire to LoanCatcher’s origination workflow means brokers can automatically send borrowers reminders and milestone updates as the loan progresses. Surefire also contains a library of creative content, with automated marketing campaigns designed to nurture leads, educate borrowers about the financing process and maintain client relationships after their loans have closed to improve recapture efforts down the line.

Product pricing engine (PPE)
LoanCatcher saves brokers the hassle of combing through loan product pricing sheets with seamless integration of the Loansifter® PPE. With Loansifter, brokers can instantly compare rates and product pricing across 120 wholesale investors to execute competitive, profitable lending strategies.

Workflow and Document Management
Pre-defined and configurable workflows allow brokers to work smarter and create an end-to-end origination process. Its easy-to-use document repository and communication tools support effective collaboration across teams.

After a broker’s loans are originated, LoanCatcher will automatically transfer files to wholesale lenders with supported integrations. System-agnostic, standardized files can also be downloaded and delivered to any wholesale lender, no matter their platform.

LoanCatcher is a single, cost-effective platform that puts brokers back in charge of their business. It helps them turn loans faster, provide a better consumer experience and grow their customer base.

Since Winning a Stevie^® Award
In the past 18 months, LoanCatcher has enhanced its borrower-facing point of sale with lead generation tools and automated marketing workflows designed to nurture leads, educate borrowers about the financing process, and maintain client relationships after close. Brokers now have access to interactive interest rate comparison tools and mortgage calculators to engage prospective homebuyers as they research financing a home.

Also new to LoanCatcher are plug-and-play automated marketing campaigns that let brokers elevate their brand and achieve major marketing impact with minimal hands-on effort. Multichannel workflows that include interactive video, graphic, and narrative content distributed over email, text, phone, and direct mail to drive borrower interest and engagement.

Black Knight won a Silver Stevie Award for Best FinTech Solution in The 2023 American Business Awards^®.

Interested in entering The 2024 American Business Awards^®?

Stevie-winner BB Imaging is a large independent provider of high-risk obstetrical ultrasound.

BB Imaging was founded in 2005 to bring high-quality, compassionate, and complete ultrasound care to patients across a spectrum of needs. Through the development of working relationships with healthcare providers, BB Imaging services patients in a variety of settings and circumstances, including rural locations across Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Florida, Washington, Virginia, and Texas.

BB Imaging’s mission is to improve health outcomes by making high-quality ultrasound services accessible to all women regardless of their zip code or economic status. To do this, they partner with physicians, clinics, and hospitals to provide full-service, turnkey ultrasound departments that provide the highest level of ultrasound care and diagnostic accuracy.

They also developed TeleScan^®, a SaaS offering that brings expert sonography care to even the remotest of locations. Teleultrasound, or telesonography, refers to the use of telemedicine technology to perform and analyze ultrasounds remotely. A healthcare professional in one location performs the exam, and a telesonographer in another location provides diagnostics and a preliminary report. The report will be passed to a provider, who relays results to the patient.

TeleScan is focused on high-risk obstetrical care. While remote ultrasound solutions exist for cardiovascular care, the complexity of scanning a "body inside of a body" has garnered few competitors. Even fewer competitors have solved for the complexity of maternal-fetal ultrasound, the sonographer shortage, and the accessibility of equipment.

Both these care models connect underserved or understaffed areas with expert sonographers, flex to meet patient demand, and improve patient outcomes through early detection. Both models also rely on partnerships with physicians, clinics, and hospitals.

Seventeen years ago, their journey began with a single obstetrician. Starting services in Austin, Texas, in 2006, they have since expanded. In 2013, they ventured into the Indian Health System in Oklahoma, later adding Kansas and Missouri in 2019. Recently, New Mexico joined the list, and they then expanded into four new states: Florida, Washington, Oregon, and Virginia.

In July 2022, Sonoquick, a cardiac ultrasound service provider, partnered with BB Imaging. They have since added expert cardiac sonographers to the Texas team. This exponential growth positions BB Imaging as a prominent independent provider of high-risk obstetrical ultrasound services on a national scale.

BB Imaging won a Silver Stevie^® Award for Minority-Owned Business of the Year in The 2023 American Business Awards^®.

Interested in entering The 2024 American Business Awards^®?

Stevie-winner 5W Public Relations (5WPR), based in New York City, is a full-service public relations (PR) agency renowned for its comprehensive and results-driven approach.

Specializing in strategic communications, the agency covers a wide spectrum of industries, including consumer goods, technology, healthcare, beauty, lifestyle, and more. With a commitment to delivering impactful campaigns, 5WPR leverages its expertise in media relations, influencer marketing, digital strategy, and event planning to craft compelling narratives that resonate with target audiences.

The agency prides itself on its ability to navigate the ever-evolving media landscape, securing placements in top-tier outlets and effectively managing crisis communications when needed.

Boasting a client-centric philosophy, 5WPR tailors its strategies to meet the unique needs and goals of each client, ensuring a customized and dynamic approach to PR that drives brand visibility, enhances reputation, and ultimately contributes to business success.

As an employer, 5W believes in the power of giving back to the communities in which we live and work. They encourage and support employees in their philanthropic efforts by providing PTO specifically to volunteer, as well as matching monetary donations to a variety of charities.

Through their 5W University training program, they also strive to ensure employees are always learning and growing, from enhancing PR skills to leadership development. Senior leaders guide employees at all levels through a range of training sessions.

Nurturing Tomorrow's Leaders
5WPR Co-CEO Matthew Caiola has been a driving force since joining the agency—especially since 2021—transforming 5WPR, alongside Co-CEO Dara Busch, into a company built for the future with significant strides in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) in workplace culture, employee benefits, and career support.

Matthew quickly moved through the ranks, and after 13 years, was promoted to Co-CEO in February 2022, making him the youngest CEO of a Top 10 PR agency in the United States. Matthew has been a key leader of teams responsible for the reputation of some of the most sophisticated companies and visible public figures in the world, along with emerging brands and technologies.

A hallmark of Matthew’s career has been leading and scaling teams. As he progressed quickly through the staff ranks into leadership, Matt took over 5WPR’s emerging technology practice, leading that team to 50%+ growth each year, for three years. As a result, 5W attracted marquee brands like Amazon, Samsung, and VIZIO.

Matt has spearheaded numerous initiatives to enhance 5W's commitment to DE&I. These efforts include forging recruiting partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, establishing a DE&I staff committee to assess 5W's performance, revamping the approved-vendor list to include minority and women-owned businesses, elevating the charitable donation match for DE&I-focused causes, and introducing a new leadership role within the company for Head of People & Culture to drive further transformation.

5WPR won a Gold and Bronze Stevie Awards for Best Communications or PR Campaign of the Year - Marketing – Consumer Products; Public Relations Agency of the Year; and 5WPR's Matthew Caiola won a Silver Stevie Award for Best Communications, Investor Relations, or PR Executive of the Year in The 2023 American Business Awards^®.

Interested in entering The 2024 American Business Awards^®?

Stevie-winner SET Maritime and Electrical offers a simple solution to electric safety hazards within the marine industry with their new product, ESHORE.

ESHORE’s patented electrical design was created to ensure the safety of boat owners, meet regulatory standards, and save customers time and money on incorrect electrical connections.

Current State of Maritime Safety
Over the past six years, SET Maritime & Electrical has been involved in verifying electrical compliance for plan approvals and surveys of Domestic Commercial Vessels. During this time, a range of different shore connection installations have been inspected and checked against the required Standards.

SET Maritime & Electrical found that most vessels did not meet the required safety standards. The most pressing safety factor found in these vessels was Reverse Polarity, which presents a serious risk of electrocution.

Currently, all other shore connection products available on the market are based upon a Polarity Monitoring Device that detects reverse polarity with a simple circuit as the fundamental design. A certificate from an electrical contractor ensures that a boat's wiring is correct.

But when a boat connects to shore power, the polarity (direction of electricity flow) can be uncertain due to various factors like installation or maintenance issues. If the power's polarity is reversed, it can make the safety systems on the boat useless and put people on board in danger.

ESHORE’s Patented Design
To solve this problem, SET Maritime & Electrical owner Mark Smith designed a groundbreaking new “Plug and Play” shore connection device called ESHORE. His device meets the requirements of the Australian Standard for electrical installation safety for single-phase and three-phase systems, has a reverse polarity switch and momentary Polarity test with an interlocking device, and can be used anywhere in the world with minor modifications.

In the development phase, the device was refined based on suggestions received from government and regulatory bodies, industry representatives, target markets, and peers, all of whom gave encouraging feedback on the necessity of the device in the marine industry. 

Since 2021, SET Maritime & Electrical has seen their hard work in pursuit of safety come to fruition as they reached the manufacturing phase and created a device that is robust and fit for purpose. The device was first installed in the Domestic Commercial Market, where it received positive feedback from all owners for its ease of installation and use.

In 2022, they officially launched ESHORE and are already on their third generation of the device that offers more flexibility for installation, remote operation capability, and can be easily concealed, making it more aesthetically pleasing. 

SET Maritime & Electrical won a Gold Stevie Award for Innovation in Consumer Products & Services and a Bronze Stevie Award for Achievement in Product Innovation in the 2023 Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards.

Interested in entering the 2024 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards?