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An Orange County woman was honored as a Leader of Industry during the 26th Annual Torch Awards: A Celebration of Excellence.

The Torch Awards Program, a cornerstone event for the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Education Foundation, a 501c3, not only recognizes excellence but also serves as a platform to raise funds for the Foundation. Through generous donations, event sponsorships, and funds raised, the BBB Education Foundation provides scholarships to local students through its’ Students of Integrity program, educational programming and initiatives, and endowments at Lamar University and Lamar State College Port Arthur. The BBB Education Foundation further announced two additional endowments would be placed at Lamar Institute of Technology and Lamar State College Orange this year.

“Southeast Texas is blessed with some of the most generous businesses. We are extremely grateful for the support we receive to fulfill our mission and programs.” stated Darren Erwin, BBB President & CEO. “Our Torch Awards program is designed to recognize and celebrate local businesses that demonstrate a consistent commitment to excellence. We honor the semi-finalists, finalists and winners of each category for their efforts to ensure honesty and integrity remain a top priority in the everchanging marketplace.”

In addition to honoring outstanding businesses, the event recognized the vital role of industry in the region’s economic landscape with the Leaders of Industry Awards. Six honorees were celebrated for their exemplary contributions to the industrial sector, their involvement in the community, and their demonstration of integrity and character. Each honoree received recognition and appreciation from their peers and sponsors, underscoring the importance of industry leadership in driving progress and prosperity in Southeast Texas.

Kristie Young, Liaison for Local First in Orange County, sponsored and presented by A.G.Y. Enterprises, was among those honorees. Others included Mark Givens, Site Capital Projects Construction Manager at Motiva Port Arthur Manufacturing Complex, sponsored and presented by Mason Construction, LLC.  Keith Jeffreys, Operations Manager at PCL Industrial Construction Co., sponsored and presented by Tubal-Cain Industries. Dawanna Jones, Community Engagement Specialist at Bechtel Energy Inc., sponsored and presented by RT Technical Solutions. Damien Okun, Owner of Nuko Enterprises, LLC., sponsored and presented by Coastal Industrial Solutions. Travis Woods, Co-Owner of T & L Solutions, sponsored and presented by H.B. Neild Construction.

In addition, YAD Cleaning Service in Vidor was among the finalists for the Torch Award in the Small Business Category, sponsored by The Daws Law Firm in Beaumont. The winner of the 2024 Small Business Category Award was Festus Plumbing LLC.

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the prestigious John L. Bell Jr., Friend of the BBB Award by daughter of John L Bell Jr., Jean Moncla. Sponsored by Hancock Whitney in Beaumont, this award pays tribute to individuals, businesses, or organizations that have demonstrated unwavering support and commitment to the BBB’s mission over the years, in John L. Bell Jr’s honor. This year, the award was presented to Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas in recognition of their longstanding dedication to BBB, through volunteerism, financial support, and community engagement.

For more information about the Torch Awards and the Better Business Bureau serving Southeast Texas, click here.