2016 Business and Industry Gala – Award Winners
The Business Citizen of the Year is the highest honor the Business Alliance bestows on an individual. Nominees are considered for their business stature, community involvement, cooperation, support, and leadership. Below is a video that highlights how Pam Shockley-Zalabak exceeds in all those areas:
Company of the Year: Altia, Inc.
In 1991 four Hewlett-Packard systems developers discovered a need for graphic tools to prototype instrumentation front panels. Those Engineers spun-off and founded Altia Inc.
Altia Inc. specializes in providing embedded graphical user interfaces (GUIs). These are the control panels that allow users to interact with products. They are used in cutting-edge displays and in-vehicle infotainment in high-end cars. Medical devices use their GUIs as do several smart home appliances like interactive refrigerators and washing machines.
Altia Inc. is a homegrown company, a firm now gone global, that continues to grow rapidly, achieve amazing customer satisfaction, and is hire great talent.
New Company of the Year: Lee Spirits Company
Lee Spirits Company overcame numerous hurdles to bring their gin to market. They eventually prevailed and in the last year have grown their production and distribution. They have also opened the only hotspot in town that is hidden behind a haberdashery. They have put Colorado Springs on the map for craft distilling and it is our honor to recognize them.
Community investment of the Year: Blue Dot Place
Where many in the city saw a vacant block of land, the minds behind Blue Dot Place saw an opportunity. They have led the charge in revitalizing the south end of downtown Colorado Springs. By building the first downtown housing in our city in a half-century, they have kicked down doors that shut out housing investments for five decades. In the process, they have enhanced an environment for creatives and investors alike.
Military Affairs Award of Excellence: Hal Littrell
Hal has spent a lifetime in our local business community. He was a president/CEO and Board Chairman of Air Academy National Bank, a long-time director with the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, and a member of the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, among other accolades Hal was also recognized in 1989 as the Chamber’s Business Citizen of the Year.