THREE INDIANA ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESSES RECEIVE FIRST ANNUAL LUGAR AWARDS FROM IU

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Speaking from his personal experience in his family's business and in Congress, Sen. Richard G. Lugar, R-Ind., on Feb. 18 presented three companies from Indiana with the first annual Richard G. Lugar Achievement Awards, sponsored by the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

The three companies honored were JIST Works Inc. of Indianapolis, for its contributions to education; Teletron Inc. of Bloomington, for accomplishment in economic growth and international commerce; and Ohio Valley Plastics Inc. of Evansville, in recognition of its community service.

The awards highlighted companies which had previously won the Growth 100 award from the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Kelley School of Business at IU.

"In the face of huge corporations leaving the state, the economic and employment impact of the Growth 100 awardees merits close attention. These companies deserve recognition for their efforts and accomplishments, and we're happy to provide it for them, in Growth 100," said Daniel W. DeHayes, the center's director and IU professor of business administration.

Lugar also was the keynote speaker for what was the welcoming event for the Growth 100 Membership Network.

"My grandfather exhibited his native ingenuity creating cookie cutters for Indianapolis bakers," Lugar recalled. "My brother and I came into the family business at a time of terrible emergency, when our father died."

The senator said his business experiences then created a lifelong commitment and connection with entrepreneurs. "Now (in Congress), I'm trying to create situations so that people with ideas and a little capital can keep enough of it to move the idea along," Lugar continued. The senator's goals are to reduce federal disincentives for business and encourage a resurgence of entrepreneurial activity.

The three companies receiving the new awards each exhibit high achievement in their communities. "We don't define 'community' in the way many people do," said J. Michael Farr, president of JIST Works, winner of the education award. "We see our community as extending throughout North America, to all people who are unemployed and/or students."

JIST publishes career, job search, business and self-help materials. "The issue of unemployment is more universal than local. We see ourselves as change agents because we try to teach the teachers, creating a much bigger effect," Farr said.

As winner of the award for economic growth and international commerce, Bloomington's Teletron has grown from four employees in 1992 to a current staff of 70, with a two-year goal of 240 employees. This year, the company will move into its own 50,000-square-foot facility. Teletron plans to expand into Canada, Mexico and Europe early in the next century.

"We're very proud to achieve this recognition from Senator Lugar for our efforts," said Tim Lybrook, president of Teletron. "We see our involvement with the Growth 100 program as being another important resource in our ongoing success."

Ohio Valley Plastics, winner of the community service award, offers a four-step philosophy for their relationships within and outside the company.

"By following the 'PATH' -- Providing a safe environment, Always trying to improve, Treating people like we want to be treated and Helping prove ourselves valuable members of the community -- we seek to make the world a better place," said company president Gary Smith. "I'm proud of everyone in our corporation, how they've made a difference in our communities through their efforts and resources."

A long-term member of his local school board, Smith led a discussion on "Entrepreneurial Values" at the Indianapolis meeting.

The Growth 100 awards annually identify and recognize 100 of Indiana's rapid-growth, high-potential companies, with annual sales between $1 million and $10 million. Each year's awardees are then eligible for receiving one of the three annual Lugar awards. Awardees are also invited to join the Growth 100 Membership Network.

For more information, contact Pam Yoho, Growth 100 Coordinator, at 812-855-4248.

(George Vlahakis, Office of Communications and Marketing, 812-855-0846, gvlahaki@indiana.edu or Luci Englert, Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 812-855-4248)

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