The GCP congratulates its Investor level members honored with Weatherhead 100 Awards

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

The Greater Cleveland Partnership is pleased to congratulate six of its Investor-level members and 75 member companies of the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE)-the GCP's small business arm-that were named among the fastest-growing companies honored at the 2008 Weatherhead 100 awards dinner. Winners were announced by COSE and the Weatherhead School of Management of Case Western Reserve University.  About 800 people attended the Dec. 2 event held at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven.

The Weatherhead 100 smaller companies include these GCP Investor-level members:

  • employeescreenIQ (four-time winner)
  • Group Transportation Services, Inc. (seven-time winner)
  • Hyland Software (a GCP Board company and 10-time winner)
  • The Reserves Network (a  12-time winner)
  • Vertex Computer Systems, Inc. (four-time winner)
  • Voss Industries, Inc. (first-time winner).

"The success of these companies reminds us about the many positives in the Northeast Ohio business community," said Joe Roman, president and CEO of the GCP, the largest private-sector economic development organization in Ohio and one of the largest chambers of commerce in the U.S. "Our economy has been and will continue to be driven by companies like them that are succeeding through strategic growth, vision and innovation."

Selection for the Weatherhead 100 is based on sales from 2003 through 2007. Companies must have had net sales of at least $100,000 in 2003 and over $1 million in 2007. Additionally, winning companies must have employed a minimum of 16 full-time employees in 2007. Companies must be headquartered in Ashland, Ashtabula Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Huron, Lorain, Lake, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Summit, Stark, Trumbull or Wayne counties.

The Greater Cleveland Partnership, the primary voice for businesses in Greater Cleveland, seeks to create jobs and improve the economic vitality of the region. On behalf of its more than 17,000 members, the GCP advocates with one voice; advances small business success; accelerates economic inclusion; builds a high-impact, sustainable economic development system; changes the face of Cleveland; strengthens global connections; and initiates a demand-driven talent system. The GCP is a founder and proud supporter of the Cleveland Plus marketing campaign.

The Council of Smaller Enterprises is one of Ohio's largest small business support organizations, striving to help small businesses grow and maintain their independence. Comprised of more than 17,000 member companies, COSE has a long history of fighting for the rights of all small business owners, whether it's through group purchasing programs for health care, workers' compensation, or energy, advocating for specific changes in legislation or regulation to benefit small business, or providing a forum and resource for small businesses to connect with and learn from each other. ( www.cose.org)

The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University has received international acclaim for developing bold ideas that redefine the way management education is taught.  This spirit of innovation has elevated its management programs to global prominence, earning Weatherhead a reputation as one of the most innovative business schools in the world. Since 1987, the Weatherhead 100 has showcased the fastest-growing companies in Northeast Ohio. The Weatherhead 100 list-objectively determined annually and highly regarded throughout the region-is a testament to hard work, commitment, innovation, and the dream to succeed.

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