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Five family companies were honored at the 13th annual Illinois Family Business of the Year Awards gala on Dec. 7. The awards, presented by Loyola University Chicago’s Family Business Center, recognized superior Illinois-based family businesses that demonstrate a strong commitment to both business and family, multigenerational family business involvement, contributions to industry and community, and innovative business practices and strategies.

The winners were selected from among more than 400 nominations. Nielsen-Massey Vanillas Inc. of Waukegan, Ill., received the award in the small business category (fewer than 50 employees). Clarke Mosquito Control of Roselle, Ill., was the winner in the medium-sized business category (20 to 250 employees). Turano Baking Company of Berwyn, Ill., was honored in the large business category (more than 250 employees). Gold Eagle Company of Chicago received the Community Service Award, and Baird & Warner, also of Chicago, received the Century Award.

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, founded in 1907, has been associated with the Nielsen family since 1918, when C.J. Nielsen, who later became partner, president and sole owner, joined the company. Nielsen-Massey, which specializes in the manufacturing of pure vanilla, uses a proprietary, time-consuming extraction process and strict quality specifications.

Clarke Mosquito Control is the largest privately owned U.S. company devoted to mosquito control and has played a significant role in the country’s battle against West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses. The company has been called in after major hurricanes like Floyd, Dennis, Katrina and Rita and has emerged as a trusted resource for municipalities, mosquito-control districts and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Turano Baking Company is a household name throughout northeastern Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, known for its authentic, old-world bread. Since its inception in 1962, it has been a staple in Chicago’s Italian business community. Its Italian heritage has been an important aspect of the company’s success. Turano takes pride in its involvement in many baking industry groups and Italian American organizations in Chicago and around the world.

Gold Eagle Company, a manufacturer and marketer of automotive engine-related additives, was founded in 1932 and is now in the third generation of family ownership. During the current fiscal year, it is enjoying record sales while dealing with the challenge of huge petrochemical cost increases. The company serves most of the major retailers and wholesalers of engine performance products.

Baird & Warner offers services centering on residential real estate brokerage and the core businesses that surround it, including mortgage, title and home services. The firm is nationally recognized for its industry leadership and is consistently ranked among America’s top 15 real estate operations. Baird & Warner operates 33 offices in the Chicago area, with more than 2,000 employees serving more than 300 communities. The fifth-generation company, more than 150 years old, has periodically reinvented itself in response to changes in the marketplace and is known as an innovator.

The Family Business Center of Central Ohio honored 13 companies at its eighth annual Family Business of the Year Awards luncheon on Nov. 3 at Ohio Dominican University. Three companies were named Family Businesses of the Year for 2006. Columbus Show Case Company of Columbus, Ohio, received the award for companies with more than 100 employees. Laser Reproductions of Gahanna, Ohio, was honored in the 26-to-100 employees category. Twin Horizons Travel of Dublin, Ohio, was the winner in the 25-and-fewer employees category.

Two companies were recognized in a newly established category for emerging family businesses: Pistachio of Columbus and Yesteryear Acres, based in Heath, Ohio.

Eight other companies were honored as Outstanding Family Businesses: Archer-Meek-Weiler Insurance Agency of Columbus; Blue Chip Manufacturing, Columbus; Converse Electric Inc., Columbus; Courtesy Ambulance Inc., Newark, Ohio; Donatos Pizzeria LLC, Columbus; More Time for You LLC, Powell, Ohio; Sanese Services Inc., Columbus, Ohio; and Vargo Material Handling Inc., Hilliard, Ohio.

Three family-owned businesses received Small Business Excellence Awards from the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 2. Berry & Homer received the 2007 Small Business Excellence Award for Family Business of the Year. Listrak was honored with the 2007 Small Business Excellence Award for Technological Excellence. Robertson’s Flowers was the winner of the 2007 Small Business Excellence Award for Retailer of the Year.

Berry & Homer, founded in 1898, is the oldest U.S. commercial photographic laboratory. In 1968, Joseph B. Thompson II began a 14-year business partnership with Bob Opher. In 1988, Joe III joined his father in the company. The family sold the business in 2000, with Joe III staying on to run three of the plants. Two years later, when the foreign conglomerate that had purchased the company decided to sell it, Joe and his father bought the business back. Since then, the company has grown, and the staff now totals more than 60 sales and service professionals in offices in Philadelphia and Lanham, Md. Its customers include Fortune 500 companies in the pharmaceutical, financial and corporate communications markets, and its work has been displayed in prestigious museums such as Ellis Island, the Smithsonian and the Newseum.

Listrack, an e-mail marketer headquartered in Lititz, Pa., serves more than 300 clients in the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Middle East. The company was founded by Ross Kramer and his father, Howard. A serial entrepreneur by nature, Ross started several marketing technology ventures, the first of which was a web-hosting company from his Penn State dorm room.

Robertson’s Flowers is a household name in the Greater Philadelphia area. In 1925 George Robertson and his eldest son, Charles, opened a landscaping firm. The business grew rapidly, and two years later they purchased a building in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, where George’s daughter, Janet, first added freshly cut flowers. The company now has three locations in the region and is run by third-generation owner John P. Ferry Jr.