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American Foundation of Counseling Services Names Ethics in Business Awards Winners Awards to be Presented at the KI Convention Center on November 11th

GREEN BAY, WI - American Foundation of Counseling Services is pleased to announce the winners of the 2010 Ethics in Business Awards. Nearly 125 individuals and companies were nominated for the three awards. Award criteria included demonstrating both business excellence and the highest standards of such values as civic and social responsibility, integrity, and ethical conduct.

Wisconsin Public Radio will be presented with an award in the not-for-profit category. Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) is a cultural and civic resource which aims to enrich the quality of life for people in its listening area. Its mission involves a commitment to producing, acquiring and delivering high-quality programming - programming that serves the public's need to discuss opinions and ideas, and also provides intelligent stimulation, cultural enrichment and enlightening entertainment.

In 1986, WPR opened a regional bureau in the greater Green Bay area in an effort to better serve the listeners, partners and donors in the community. The agency believes that it must stand apart from pressures of commerce and politics as they engage and inform their listeners. WPR is committed to independence and integrity, which are the foundations of their service. They maintain these standards by adhering to the following principles: truth, fairness and integrity.

WPR states that the content of its programming is the heart of what they do. Along with delivering quality, engaging programs the agency partners with many other non-profit arts, education and human service organizations in the Green Bay area. They use their air time to promote and sponsor various community events.

The judges of the Ethics in Business Award provided the following reasons why WPR is the 2010 recipient in the not-for-profit category:

• They continually discuss and debate ethics as part of their daily operations and to determine what stories are put on the air. They have a Statement of Ethics which encompasses truth, fairness and integrity.
• They ensure they tell both sides of an issue. This is tracked by both the News Director and the Producer, and they also publish a grid for the public to see.
• They have walked away from funding when it would compromise their ethics.

MCL Industries will be presented with an award in the business category. MCL Industries (MCL) is located in Pulaski and is a manufacturer of electrical control systems and mechanical assemblies for heavy duty vehicle manufacturers. Established in 1979, MCL has shown continual growth and has developed an approach for uninterrupted delivery to its customers.

MCL and its employees truly care about their community. They consistently donate 10% of every dollar of pre-tax profit to projects and organizations in the area. They have a guiding principle that employees truly embrace which states, "do what they say they will...period". This provides an atmosphere of trust and empowers employees and the community to support each other and be the best they can be.

MCL strongly believes that to be successful there must be an effective partnership between customers, suppliers and itself. To help bring this partnership together, MCL sponsors two annual outings in which all major customers and major suppliers are invited to attend. Feedback has been extremely positive and has proven that business can be fun while also being successful.

In addition to its customers, MCL values its employees. They provide training and mentoring in a classroom setting and also promote a team atmosphere. Employees are offered opportunities to advance through various skill levels, updated benefit packages that include comprehensive wellness programming, and are provided a family flexible work schedule that allows parents to attend school events. MCL focuses on employee personal growth, responsiveness, being "as good as our word", open communication and respecting others by treating them the way they would want to be treated.

The judges of the Ethics in Business Awards provided the following reasons why MCL Industries is the 2010 recipient in the Business category:

• They are heavily involved in the community. Some of their activities include Adopt-a-Family, Relay for Life, a motorcycle run for the American Cancer Society, and a chili cook off for the CP Telethon. In addition to volunteering, they also donate 10% of their pre-tax profits to local charities and schools.
• They have an innovative approach to working with their employees. They remove barriers and create a peer-to-peer environment. All employees, not just management, go through leadership training. They are family-friendly, and it is even one of their posted values. In addition, all employees are given the flexibility to work four 10-hour days.
• They have strong, long-term relationships with their customers and partners and have consistently worked with them in an ethical manner.

Bill Jartz will be presented with an award in the individual category. Bill is the evening news anchor for WBAY-TV2. Although he may be best known for his role as anchor, many non-profit organizations in Northeast Wisconsin know him as an auctioneer - and a successful one at that! For many years, Bill has helped numerous, worthy causes raise countless dollars. He is very humble and doesn't want to take credit, however, takes the work very seriously. Bill doesn't charge for his services and thinks that giving his time to help is the least he can do, since he feels he has been blessed.

A big influence on Bill's life was his father, who died when he was 12 years old. Bill saw how his dad helped neighbors in need and witnessed his generosity. He knew he wanted to be like him and found the means by which he, himself, could help others. Giving back and helping others is very important to him and something he does quite often.

As a news anchor, Bill doesn't decide what to say, however, he does decide how to say it. He makes sure to pronounce names correctly, especially with soldiers killed in the war and other victims. He has said, "this young person volunteered to fight for my freedom. The least I can do is pronounce his or her name right on the air." In addition, he takes his job seriously and knows his facts and takes responsibility for the facts that he presents.

The judges provided the following reasons why Bill is the 2010 recipient in the Individual category:

• Bill helps many non-profits in the area. He made over 75 public appearances last year, many on his own time. While some local personalities charge for their appearances, Bill never does - he wants the money to stay with the organization.
• While he doesn't have any children of his own, he is very involved with local youth. He helps the Children's Hospital whenever asked, and has become a friend to some of the children over the years. He teaches hunters safety to local youth and emphasizes that it is not about how to kill a deer, but rather to learn to be responsible with guns and enjoy the bonding that can come with hunting.
• Bill, while he doesn't decide what stories to air, does try to tell both sides and seek the truth. He brings a level of responsibility to what he is saying and also tries to generate excitement about the positive stories in our community.