ARLINGTON, TX – September 6, 2022 – The Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the recipients of the 2022 Small Business of the Year Awards. This year, we are honoring six recipients – for-profit, minority-owned, veteran-owned, woman-owned, nonprofit and small business of the year, the top award going to the highest scoring submission. Recipients will be honored at the 17th Annual State of the City Address on Wednesday, October 19.
“The success of a small business is defined by more than sales numbers and profits; it’s about the lives you impact in your community,” said Michael Jacobson, President & CEO of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, “All six of our small business award recipients this year exemplify passion for their work, determination to succeed and devotion to the greater Arlington community. We could not be more proud of our 2022 recipients.”
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR RECIPIENT: Chick-fil-A North Collins Street
Chick-fil-A North Collins Street has become a household name in the Arlington area. Their service is unbeatable and their staff are some of the kindest people you will meet. Owner Carmenza Moreno has created a culture within her restaurant that values honor, dignity and respect over everything. Chick-fil-A North Collins Street not only creates positivity within the restaurant, but throughout the community as well. They partner with many local organizations and prioritize giving back to our community. Carmenza is also passionate about education and creating better futures for students. She has partnered with Making and Empowering Today’s Ambassadors (META), North Arlington YMCA, and the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center to make these futures possible.
FOR-PROFIT RECIPIENT: Curnutt & Hafer
Over the past 22 years, Curnutt & Hafer has been a law firm with the know-how, experience, and resolve to solve a variety of legal problems. Dedicated to its cornerstone beliefs to seek bottom line results, serve with excellence, and do the right thing, Curnutt & Hafer maintains a vibrantly growing practice meeting the needs of both individuals and corporate clients in areas such as commercial and personal injury litigation, wills and probate, family law, and business transactions. Founding partners Kelly Curnutt and Doug Hafer lead a team of 11 attorneys and set the tone of dedication to the legal profession as well as service to the community. Mr. Curnutt is currently chair of the Arlington ISD Education Foundation, served as Interim President at the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Sunrise Rotary Club. Mr. Hafer currently sits on the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation board and dedicates time serving the Arlington ISD Education Foundation, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and the Shady Valley Country Club board. The firm also works closely with Mission Arlington.
NONPROFIT RECIPIENT: Theatre Arlington
When the marquee lit up in 1973, Theatre Arlington opened their doors and never looked back. Although they have had ups and downs through the years, their masterful pivots have allowed them to become one of the most beloved places in Downtown Arlington. In the heart of Arlington’s Cultural Arts District, Theatre Arlington provides 50 weeks of entertainment and arts as well as a year-round theater school. Within a typical season at the theater, there are five plays, two musicals, and two youth productions plus cabaret nights, comedy nights and staged play readings. Theatre Arlington is a nonprofit that continuously gives back to the community in many forms, including outreach. Some of their partnerships include AISD, Safe Haven, Arlington Life Shelter, UTA, and the Arlington Cultural Arts District.
VETERAN-OWNED RECIPIENT: Lone Star Drone
Since 2018, Lone Star Drone has been creating cutting-edge drone aerial solutions. Owner Drew Smith has created a full-service drone company that is dedicated to using the best of the best technology to create superior aerial solutions. Lone Star Drone’s clients are companies and innovators that need the most advanced inspection, mapping and modeling solutions. Through their critical infrastructure and cyber security initiatives, Lone Star Drone is able to put protective measures into place from drone threats. Along with their most advanced clientele, they also service businesses and organizations in need of the best photo or videos from an aerial perspective. When Drew is not flying a drone, you can see him actively volunteering in the community at the Arlington Field of Honor, Phased In, Dallas Arboretum and the Air Power Foundation.
WOMAN-OWNED RECIPIENT: The Sanford House
The Sanford House Inn & Spa is a mother/daughter ran business that has seen quite the growth throughout the years. Owner Joan Bergstrom opened the doors to the hotel in 1997. For the last 25 years, they have become a staple in the community. Located in the heart of Arlington, The Sanford House is a luxury boutique hotel that offers a unique hospitality experience. They offer overnight accommodations, a fine-dining restaurant, an award-winning spa & salon as well as event space available for rent. The mission for the hotel is to have guests enjoy accessible luxury even if it is only for a day. This dedication to do well by their guests has extended into the Arlington community. They are members of the Arlington Rotary Club, Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and Downtown Arlington Board. They also volunteer their time and donate to the Arlington Life Shelter, Safe Haven, AISD and Downtown Arlington.
MINORITY-OWNED RECIPIENT: Urgentology Care
Established in 2018, Urgentology Care has demonstrated the importance of quality medical care by creating a safe, efficient, and affordable health care environment for all patients. Yaman Subei, CEO of Urgentology, has created an atmosphere that is welcoming and makes healthcare easy. He understands that patients come in with illness and discomfort, so his principal is to focus on the little things that elevate their ‘Experience’ and alleviate their pain. Urgentology Care is a walk-in urgent care practice that offers acute medical services and occupational medicine. Some of Urgentology’s accomplishments, include playing a vital role during the pandemic, partnering with large and small organizations to deliver convenient medical services, and working with the public health department to administer Covid-19 testing and vaccination. They were amongst the first medical practices to offer drive-through testing, serving over 20 thousand patients. Urgentology is also a huge community player. They want to ensure their services are accessible to the public. Not only do they serve seniors, teachers, active military personnel, veterans, and patients with disability, but they also volunteer time and donations to HEB ISD, AISD, Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), 6 Stones, and Cook’s Children’s Hospital.
CRITERIA
This awards process is rigorous. Once a business or organization is nominated, they complete an extensive application including recommendation letters from the community. The Chamber’s criteria for selection as a Small Businesses of the Year include growth, relevant innovation and contributions to furthering the Chamber’s Mission “Together, We Champion Economic and Community Prosperity.” A group of distinguished business leaders in the greater Arlington area examined all completed applications to determine the winners this year.