Media Advisory: Wake Forest University Family Business Center (FBC) announces 2013 N.C. Family Business of the Year award winners
Salem Funeral & Cremation Services, Richard Childress Racing, Samet Corporation, and Dampp-Chaser Corporation have been recognized by the Wake Forest University Family Business Center and Business North Carolina with the 2013 North Carolina Family Business of the Year awards.
Award-winners will be recognized on Thursday, May 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Porter B. Byrum Welcome Center on the Reynolda Campus of Wake Forest University.
Century Award Winner: Salem Funeral & Cremation Services, Winston-Salem, N.C.
In 1858 A. C. Vogler established the Main Street Village Cabinet shop in Salem, N.C. That shop became the Vogler family funeral home, and since that time, six generations have followed in Vogler’s footsteps. With over 155 years of continual service, Salem Funeral and Cremation Services is an important part of Winston-Salem history. The company employs 16 people, including current family members Mosby Vogler, representing the 5th generation and his son, John Vogler, representing the 6th generation of Vogler family members.
Large Category Award Winner: Richard Childress Racing, Welcome, N.C.
Richard Childress purchased his first race car for $20 and started his career as an independent race car driver at local tracks in the 1960s. In 1969 he participated in the NASCAR Cup race in Talledega and used his winnings to purchase his first race shop and launch Richard Childress Racing (RCR). Today, RCR is housed in 14 buildings and occupies over 550,000 square feet in its Welcome corporate headquarters. The company has approximately 475 full-time employees and boasts 14 championships (13 in NASCAR and one in the ARCA Racing Series) and more than 200 wins. Childress still works at the race shop every day and attends almost every NASCAR race. Son-in-law Mike Dillon is the vice president of competition, and grandsons Austin and Ty Dillon are up-and-coming drivers for RCR. As a true family enterprise, Richard’s wife, Judy, and daughter, Tina Dillon, who operates the award-winning Childress Vineyards, are also involved in ensuring that RCR reflects their family’s vision.
Medium Category Award Winner: Samet Corporation, Greensboro, N.C.
Norman Samet founded Samet Corporation in High Point in 1961. The family-owned company has grown to become a regional corporation with more than 130 employees and operations throughout the Southeast. Originally known for large industrial buildings, Samet Corporation has developed expertise in high-growth segments such as healthcare and technology in addition to signature properties like stadiums and showrooms. Samet continues to provide guidance and support to the next generation of Samet Corporation associates, including son Arthur Samet, president & CEO, and son-in-law Marshall Tuck, vice president of administration.
Small Category Award Winner: Dampp-Chaser Corporation, Hendersonville, N.C.
As a Merchant Marine stationed in Trinidad in the 1940s, Alan Foote designed dehumidifying products for a variety of uses. When he ended his tour of duty, he sold his products door-to-door before establishing Dampp-Chaser in Hendersonville in 1947. Robert W. Mair purchased the company with a partner in 1986. Mair made the conscious choice to establish Dampp-Chaser as a family business and bought out his partner in 1994. Mair’s daughter, Gayle, and son-in-law, Roger Wheelock, joined the company in 1995, and now the third generation of Mair family members are becoming involved in the business. Today, Dampp-Chaser produces an accessory for pianos, the Piano Life Saver, which is sold through an international distribution network to piano tuners and technicians worldwide. The company has 23 employees.
To be nominated for the Family Business Awards, a business must have its headquarters in North Carolina. Businesses are evaluated based on innovative business strategies and practices, business growth and development, contributions to the community and industry, involvement by family members and generations, and commitment to family wellbeing. The nomination process is open from July through November each year.
For tickets or information on the 2013 North Carolina Family Business of the Year Awards or Family Business Center membership, contact Kathy Baker at 336-758-3568 or bakerka@wfu.edu or visit the Family Business Center website. Tickets are available for purchase and are $125 each or six for $600.
The North Carolina Family Business of the Year Awards are presented by the Wake Forest University Family Business Center and sponsored by Business North Carolina, PricewaterhouseCoopers, BB&T, Family Business Carolina, Fennebresque & Co., The Lattitude Group, Scott Insurance, and the UNC Asheville Family Business Forum.
About the Wake Forest University Family Business Center (FBC)
The FBC is a member-based organization that uses the educational resources of Wake Forest University to provide closely held and family firms the assistance they need to grow and succeed from generation to generation. As a program of the Office of Personal and Career Development, the FBC also provides family business education and experiential learning opportunities to WFU students, WFU alumni community and their families.
About Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University combines the best traditions of a small liberal arts college with the resources of a large research university. Founded in 1834, the school is located in Winston-Salem, N.C. The University’s graduate school of arts and sciences, divinity school, and nationally ranked schools of law, medicine and business enrich our intellectual environment. Learn more about Wake Forest University at www.wfu.edu.
