Past Pioneer Award Winners
BATTLE BORN AWARD Salutes leadership and excellence in Sustainability
2018
Edgewood Tahoe
Edgewood Companies, formerly Park Cattle Company, has been a landowner at Lake Tahoe since 1896 and is proud to act upon the family mantra “To be stewards of the land, guardians of the Lake, and solid corporate citizens in the communities in which we operate.” The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe is the newest addition to the 235-acre lakefront property. The LEED-silver certified Lodge is a model of sustainability with energy-efficiencies like an air conditioning system that uses lake water pumped through an intricate cooling system. The development also included significant and unprecedented water quality improvements to the 4,200-acre Edgewood Creek watershed that feeds directly into Lake Tahoe. It created enriched wetlands and provided new fish and wildlife habitat as well as upgraded storm water systems for urban areas upstream. The property also generates less runoff via new pond infiltration lowering the number of sediments entering Lake Tahoe
“For more than 150 years the Park Family have been stewards of the land. It is woven into the fabric of the company and that vision is exemplified in this project. Edgewood Tahoe Resort is a place where health, recreation and green building, blend giving visitors and locals a new appreciation for this special place we call home. To be recognized with the Battle Born Award as a leader in sustainability is another great moment in the long history of the company,” – John McLaughlin President/CEO Edgewood Companies
BOUNDARY PEAK AWARD Honors the nonprofit that scaled new heights in providing services to the community
2018
The Comstock Foundation
The Comstock Foundation has worked since 2014 to rebuild historic structures and encourage the preservation and promotion of the historic and cultural resources within the Virginia City National Historic Landmark District. The Comstock Foundation’s efforts started with the restoration of the iconic Upper Yellow Jacket Hoist Works. Currently underway is the restoration of the Donovan Mill in Silver City, which the Foundation purchased in 2015. Once completed it will house a museum and interpretive center as well as a functioning stamp mill, machine shop and more. Volunteers have donated thousands of hours of their time and labor to make restoration efforts a reality. The Foundation also assists other organizations on the Comstock such as the Fourth Ward School, The Gold Hill Depot, St. Mary’s Art Center, the Episcopalian Church, the Dayton Historical Society, the Sutro Tunnel Town site and others.
“I am extremely honored on behalf of the Comstock Foundation for History and Culture, to be receiving such an important award from the Northern Nevada Development Authority. Their Boundary Peak Award for nonprofit of the year 2018”. – Steven Saylor Comstock Foundation for History and Culture
2019
Western Nevada College Foundation
Western Nevada College Foundation (Carson City, NV). WNC Foundation develops resources and encourages philanthropy in support of Western Nevada College. The organization is being recognized for extraordinary growth in funding streams from 20162019, active board involvement, presence in the community, and support of workforce development initiatives.
“We are so honored to receive this prestigious award! The board of directors for the WNC Foundation has worked very hard over the past few years to support students through scholarships, emergency funding and WNC facility improvements in order to contribute to workforce development in this region.” – Niki Gladys, WNC Foundation Executive Director
KIT CARSON AWARD Entrepreneur of the Year. Applauds the visionary individual or company who trail blazed a unique path to meet customer and market needs.
2018
Quick Space
Quick Space has quietly been a part of almost every major project in northern Nevada in the past few years. While the company has been known for onsite storage, it was the expansion into the site services business that has allowed such positive growth as a resource to support construction, distribution and event business in our region. Our team has taken the opportunity to create a business and culture that concentrates on attentive and superior customer service. We have encountered a period of expansion and achievement after going through a transition of staff, leadership and reevaluating the values in which we define ourselves. We concentrate heavily on staff and leadership training, to ensure our practices are growing and evolving along with our business. Our leadership seeks to inspire by leading by example and incorporating the needs and feedback of the employees into the vision and culture of the company.
“We are pleased to be recognized for our innovation and commitment to provide solutions to our growing community, partnered with exemplary customer service. We are proud of our role in the economic growth in our area and look forward to continuing to support and be a resource for Northern Nevada and the Sierra Region” – QuickSpace
2019
Kevin Lindseth, CEO
PureGround Ingredients
Kevin Lindseth, CEO, Pure Ground Ingredients (Minden, NV). PGI is an industrial supplier of organic botanicals, spices, chili, and black and green teas. This visionary entrepreneur is being distinguished for his ability to meet market needs, the ongoing refinement of the PGI business model, the company’s growth and environmental responsibility, use of state-of-the-art systems, worldwide community engagement, work with students, and training programs for employees
“Pure Ground Ingredients expresses our gratitude to NNDA and our community, our employees and global network of customers and growers. We couldn’t have made it this far without the continued dedication and support over the years!” – Kevin Lindseth, CEO PureGround Ingredients
SILVER FORGE AWARD Showcases the innovator and leader in manufacturing
2018
Aquasyn, LLC
Since its inception in 1996, Aquasyn’s goal has been to break new ground, not retrace the steps of others. Our extensive process engineering and manufacturing experience has enabled us to provide the dynamic Biotech and Pharmaceutical markets with highly innovative valves and associated components. Our ability to meet our customers’ needs has set us apart from the larger manufacturers in our industry. We are agile enough to be responsive to these requirements, and along with our industry expertise, we are hard to beat when it comes to solving production challenges for our customers. Aquasyn is proud to be a Nevada company, and we also take pride in sourcing associated raw materials and services in the USA, and more specifically, as much as possible from our fellow Nevada businesses. One of our ongoing goals is to increase business and to expand our operational capability here in Carson City. We experienced 12% growth in 2017. This is over twice the annual average growth for our sector! Aquasyn is excited about our future and we look forward to continued success as we help our customers bring life-saving and lifechanging medications to market.
“What an unexpected honor. We are so appreciative of this award and the recognition of our efforts. We will treasure this and hope to reflect the goals and dreams of our fellow small entrepreneurs in the region.” – Aquasyn, LLC
2019
Franklin Armory®
Franklin Armory® (Minden, NV). Franklin Armory specializes in manufacturing quality firearms for sporting, military, and law enforcement applications. The company is being honored as the creator of a new cluster of businesses that support the manufacturing of firearms in Nevada’s Sierra Region, as well as for its innovative manufacturing techniques, community involvement with local law enforcement, growing exports, and recent business expansions.
“Northern Nevada continues to provide lower manufacturing costs including real estate, skilled labor, energy, and compliance,” said Jay Jacobson, President. “These competitive advantages allow us to prosper and grow in the Silver State as we satisfy global demand for new products.”