SAMCEDA, The Voice of Business on the Peninsula, announces the recipients of the 2009 Awards of Excellence program for individuals, businesses, organizations, and public agencies in San Mateo County. For more than 50 years, SAMCEDA’s Awards of Excellence program has recognized the outstanding achievements, innovations and contributions of individuals, businesses, organizations and public agencies in San Mateo County. The 2009 Awards of Excellence program honored 6 winners in 6 distinct award categories: Business, Clean & Green, Public Agency, Community Service, Start-Up Company and the ‘David D. Bohannon Memorial Award of Excellence.’ Apart from the awards presented to businesses, organizations and agencies, the Bohannon Award is presented to an individual demonstrating significant leadership and success though their contributions to the local economy and the quality of life in San Mateo County. SAMCEDA, coordinator and sponsor of the Awards of Excellence program, believes that by recognizing these individuals, companies, agencies and organizations whose actions and examples serve as a model for “best practices,” both in business and in life, others will be inspired and encouraged to strive for this same standard of excellence in their own endeavors. The winners were announced at the awards event luncheon held March 25, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City, CA.

SAMCEDA ‘AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE’ 2009 WINNERS

DPR Construction, selected as the winner of the Business Award of Excellence. This award is presented in recognition of the innovation, good management and overall success of a business, or one of its departments or subsidiaries.

DPR Construction, ranked in the top 50 general contractors in the country for the last 10 years, is a national commercial general contractor headquartered in Redwood City, CA, with annual revenues in excess of $1.45 billion. DPR has the largest percentage of LEED-accredited professionals on staff of any general contractor in the nation and has been at the forefront of the green building movement, boasting a resume of more than $1 billion in green building projects. Every DPR project that has obtained LEED certification has diverted a minimum of 75% of its waste from landfills. Over the past 12 years, DPR employees have volunteered their time and support to Rebuilding Together, and on April 28, 2008, sponsored National Rebuilding Day. More than 150 DPR employees and their families helped restore schools, community centers and homes including the Coastside Parent’s Nursery School in Half Moon Bay.

SAMCEDA’ S Leadership In County Economic Development Efforts

SAMCEDA, the San Mateo County Economic Development Association, involves members businesses, individuals, and civic leaders in a collaborative effort with local, regional, and state officials to ensure the preservation and advancement of commercial activity, creativity and innovation; economic vitality; and social wellbeing as core priorities for San Mateo County and its communities.

SAMCEDA works to influence public policy on key issues including expanding housing to meet workforce needs, integrating the regional transportation system, establishing an internationally competitive education system, standardizing permit streamlining and regulatory reform, while preserving open space, and perpetuating the cultural and ethnic diversity of San Mateo County.The impact of SAMCEDA’s advocacy and action is evident in each of these critical areas of focus.

• SAMCEDA successfully advocated for and realized the defeat of Measure W in Redwood City in the November, 2008 election.
• SAMCEDA supported the passage of Prop 1A and has been active in facilitating stakeholder scoping sessions focused on the build out of the San Francisco – San Jose segment of the High-Speed Rail line through San Mateo County.
• SAMCEDA has played a pivotal role in both advocating for and disseminating information to its members regarding environmental legislation AB 32 and SB 375, holding multiple educational forums on AB 32 and meeting directly with MTC officials to discuss SB 375 and its implications for business, housing and transportation in San Mateo County.
• SAMCEDA is part of the Bay Area Work Recovery coalition whose charge is to advocate for the allocation of Federal stimulus funds to San Mateo County and Bay Area infrastructure, transportation and reinvestment projects critical to California.
• SAMCEDA recently concluded a research project focused on identifying economic, political and social factors that inform the location, growth, success and retention of knowledge-based start-up businesses in San Mateo County.