ESI, Jackson honored
By ANDREA ANDRASCHKO
Staff Writer
In business the quality of your personal relationships can mean
everything. For Val
and Dan Henderson,
owners of Engineered Systems Inc., personal relationships brought them
the highest award a business can earn — Small Business of the Year.
The award, sponsored by the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, was
presented Fri., May 7 at the annual Business Awards Luncheon. Longtime
Pueblo businessman and community activist Bob Jackson received the
Charles W. Crews Business Leader of the Year award at the same ceremony.
Jackson, a long time participant in Pueblo’s business and political
communities, was recognized in particular for his efforts to save the
Colorado State Fair. The innovative new ideas that Jackson brought to
the table, and his tireless effort are credited with making the 1998
State Fair the most profitable in history. Jackson was also recognized
for his many hours of volunteer work to help promote the interests of
many local organizations.
The Hendersons were "caught by surprise because we thought you had to
nominate yourself for the award, and we had not," Val Henderson said.
"Even though I have been on the Chamber board for five years, it never
occurred to me that we were even eligible."
Started in 1985, Engineered Systems Inc. has always relied on the strong
relationships both within the company and the business community.
"Starting a new business is always a gamble, but we had several people
who were determined we were going to succeed, and they really helped us
through our first two years," Val said.
Dan added: "We also have wonderful employees, and it is they who allow
us to do the volunteer work that we now do in the community."
On top of a solid customer base and good employee relations, ESI has
also successfully developed good working relationships with other local
engineering firms. "We strictly hire electrical engineers, but because
we have such good relationships with other local firms we are able to
take on most any kind of engineering job," Val explained.
This allows ESI to stay focussed on its main business of helping to
design manufacturing equipment and work out the intricate details of the
electrical and computer systems involved, while also providing
individualized and varied engineering services to their customers.
Volunteer work is one thing that really makes the Hendersons stand out
in the business community. One of the causes they champion is the
building of relationships between the business community and local
schools. "We really feel very strongly that businesses in the community
must participate in ensuring that the school system creates quality
skills that we need to have in our future employees," Val said.
The Hendersons also lend their time and energy to: Pueblo Goodwill
Industries, the blue ribbon panel for city-county consolidation, the
United Way, the Pueblo Downtown Association, Junior Achievement,
Building Bridges for Success and the 2010 Commission.
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