Jeffco ethics celebrated from tile to tail - #lakewoodnews

When the name of his business was announced, president Steve Barrow urged his employees from Cody Flooring & Tile to stand up and savor the applause.

"What a humbling experience," said Barrow of the award received for conducting business in an ethical manner.

The Rotary Club of Golden and the Golden and West Chambers of Commerce honored Cody Flooring & Tile and the nonprofit Foothills Animal Shelter with its prestigious Ethics in Business awards at its April 22 luncheon. The 11th annual awards were held at Sheraton Denver West Hotel in Lakewood.

There's always a lot of press about the negative news, said Brian Richy, vice president of the Rotary Club of Golden. "We don't hear about the good things."

Promoting the businesses and organizations that "do the right thing day in and day out" is a way to be a reminder to all of us, he said.

"We continue to feel promoting everything that is good in our business community is worthwhile," Richy said.

The community submitted nominations through February. Colorado School of Mines ethics students judged and selected the 2016 winners.

"This is really a big honor for us," said Jennifer Strickland, Foothills Animal Shelter's executive director. "We certainly take our mission very seriously."

The shelter helps 9,500 hundred animals each year. Last year, 94 percent of them were saved, she said.

"We feel obligated to serve the animals --; and the people who love them --; in the best way possible," Strickland said.

Barrow started Cody Flooring & Tile out of his garage in 1996. Still located in Golden, most of the work the company does is commercial projects such as medical centers, grocery stores, schools, department stores and restaurants. However, the company also works on some home projects.

The company prides itself on giving back to the community. It did work at Columbine High School after the April 20, 1999, school shooting tragedy, the local VFW in Golden and the Chanda Plan Foundation, which strives to improve the quality of life for people with physical disabilities.

"We feel that contributing materials and labor, versus donating money, is something we can participate in," Barrow said in the acceptance video shown at the luncheon. "And it's amazing that actually gives back to each one of us."

The installers are the face of the company, Barrow said. "We would not have grown to where we're at without the great installers. Every single one of them shares that value and that pride in what they do."

Keynote speaker was Dr. Douglas Jackson, president/CEO of Project C.U.R.E., a nonprofit organization that provides donated medical supplies and equipment to developing countries around the world.

He spoke about the relationship between a passionate purpose and ethics, for which he received a standing ovation.

"To be truly happy," Jackson said, are "those who seek and find ways to help other people."

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Jeffco-ethics-celebrated-from-tile-to-tail,212267