Josh Hopp, senior environmental health and safety manager at Cepheid in Bothell, accepts the Workplace Safety Award.
Eleven Washington employers were honored Thursday at the Association of Washington Business’ annual Evening of Excellence awards, including three from Bothell, Langley, and Woodinville. Two Bellevue organizations were finalists.
AWB presented eight Washington Excellence Awards and three Manufacturing Excellence Awards drawn from more than 550 nominations. A panel of non-AWB judges selected the winners.
The event, presented by Banner Bank and held at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle, celebrated outstanding achievements in categories including family-owned business, workforce development, manufacturing innovation, support of veteran employees, and more, according to a news release from AWB.
“Washington employers create world-class products, support their employees, and strengthen the communities they call home,” AWB President Kris Johnson said in a statement. “These awards honor the leadership, innovation and drive that make our state a great place to live and work, and we’re proud to recognize each finalist and winner.”
AWB also presented a Legacy of Leadership Award to Mike Schwenk for his many decades of contributions to the people and employers of Washington.
Honorees and finalists, as shared in AWB’s release:
Employer of the Year: Recognizes a Washington state employer who has implemented innovative job retention, creation, benefits, and/or compensation plans that foster a thriving work environment.
Winner: Pilkey Hopping & Ekberg Insurance, Tacoma. Founded in 1896, PHE offers four weeks of paid time off to new hires, flexible schedules, twice-yearly goal-setting sessions, and a wellness program. “Ten-Minute Tenny Tuesdays” and “Weight Wednesdays” are 10-minute group exercise sessions that promote movement and camaraderie. Once employees complete 10 sessions, they earn an additional hour of PTO. Nearly a quarter of employees have stayed 15 years or more, reflecting a commitment to a supportive and family-friendly workplace.
Finalists: Knife River Prestress, Newman Lake; Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Seattle.
Entrepreneur Business of the Year: Honors a Washington business less than 5 years old that has made a significant impact in its industry.
Winner: Side Piece Kitchen, Tacoma. Launched in 2022 with a small payday loan and a takeout kitchen, Side Piece Kitchen has grown into a $1 million, community-centered business. The Latino- and woman-owned restaurant employs 12 people with competitive pay, full health benefits and an inclusive workplace. It has retained its entire team since opening. Known for its scratch-made, over-the-top biscuit sandwiches, it has earned national and regional “best brunch” recognition.
Finalists: NSA Motors, Bellevue; TechService LLC, Vancouver.
Excellence in Washington Family-Owned Business Award: Honors a family-owned business that is setting the standard for excellence and success by growing the business while serving their communities and paying close attention to the personal touch in customer service.
Winner: Northwest Healthcare Linen, Bellingham. This family-owned medical laundry service supplies hygienically clean linens to 17 hospitals and more than 500 clinics statewide. Founded in 1992 by Jim Hall and now led by second-generation siblings Evan Hall and Kelsey Van Miert, the company has grown to process 20 million pounds of laundry annually while investing in technology that reduces energy and water use. Northwest Healthcare Linen also partners with Cascade Connections and Kulshan Supported Employment to provide meaningful jobs for adults with developmental disabilities.
Finalists: Seattle Chocolate Co., Seattle; The Columbian, Vancouver.
Gabriel Renville of Whidbey Telecom in Langley, right, accepts the Washington Workforce Award as AWB President Kris Johnson, left, and workforce development advocate Wade Larson look on during the 2025 Evening of Excellence, AWB’s annual awards gala held Thursday at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle.
Washington Workforce Award: Honors a Washington state business that is increasing employee recruitment, retention, and overall workplace excellence through creating, implementing, or supporting a high-quality education and/or workforce programming.
Winner: Whidbey Telecom, Langley. Whidbey Telecom is building a workforce pipeline through education, mentorship and long-term investment in fiber-optic careers. In partnership with the Sno-Isle Skills Center, it launched the nation’s first high school-level OpTIC Path certification program, training 48 students across 15 districts, many of whom continue into advanced training or broadband careers. The team has earned national recognition, including the NTCA’s Smart Rural Community Showcase Award and the Fiber Broadband Association’s Gene Scott Education Award.
Finalists: Shocking Difference, Olympia; The Moore Wright Group, Tumwater.
Washington Veterans & Families Award: Recognizes employers who have developed and applied hiring and retention best practices for addressing the employment challenges faced by veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses.
Winner: Association for Integrated Healing, Olympia. AIH helps veterans and military families reenter the workforce with purpose. Through a partnership with WorkEx, a Department of Defense SkillBridge program, it offers hands-on internships that help transitioning service members explore meaningful civilian careers in integrative healing while receiving mentorship. The nonprofit prioritizes lived military experience, builds trauma-informed roles for long-term success, and is guided by an all-volunteer board with deep personal ties to military service.
Finalists: Balanced Being Inc., Olympia; Support The Enlisted Project (STEP), Tacoma.
Leading Environmental Practices: Recognizes a Washington state business that prioritizes environmental progress, education, and community outreach.
Winner: Knife River Prestress, Newman Lake. Knife River is redefining concrete production through innovation and sustainability. Its expanded CarbonCutter mix reduces the global warming potential of wall systems by up to 60%. A new 185,000-square-foot plant features a closed-loop water recapture system and electric forklifts to cut diesel use. The company employs a dedicated sustainability engineer, supports carbon-reduction research at regional universities, and partners with Gonzaga University to provide hands-on internships.
Finalists: ECOS, Lacey; Skanska USA Building, Seattle.
Karma Lee, founder of Bobae Coffee & Tea in Woodinville, accepts the Washington Diversity Award.
Diversity Award: Honors a Washington state business prioritizing diversity through minority business leadership, employee recruitment, retention, and/or community engagement. This award celebrates businesses that are growing and thriving while uplifting an inclusive Washington.
Winner: Bobae Coffee & Tea, Woodinville. Bobae serves creative, globally inspired drinks across five Eastside locations, using food and culture to bring people together. Founded by first-generation entrepreneur and community advocate Karma Lee, the company is proudly Asian-owned and woman-led. Bobae employs and mentors young adults, especially from underrepresented communities, offers industry-leading benefits, and creates space for cultural exchange through drinks featuring Thai mangoes, Okinawan sweet potatoes, and its own take on Hong Kong-style milk tea.
Finalists: Shocking Difference, Olympia; The Moore Wright Group, Tumwater.
Workplace Safety Award: The Workplace Safety Award honors an exceptional organization in Washington state with a proven, proactive commitment to safety — through strong protocols, training, and hazard prevention.
Winner: Cepheid, Bothell. This molecular diagnostics company strengthens safety and retention through expert training, layered audits, and regular emergency drills. With more than a year without a recordable incident, Cepheid has reinforced a strong safety culture across all operations. Preventive practices — including near-miss investigations and joint emergency drills with Bothell Fire — help identify and reduce hazards before they escalate.
Finalists: AAA Washington, Bellevue; Ash Grove Cement, Seattle.
Manufacturer of the Year: This premier award recognizes a Washington state manufacturer that has a commitment to business excellence, has found creative solutions to challenges that raise or enhance the industry standard, as well as involvement in state and/or local public policy issues that affect manufacturers.
Winner: Ash Grove Cement, Seattle. A leader in low-carbon cement and circular practices, Ash Grove advances sustainability through tire-derived fuel, water efficiency, and habitat restoration. The company regularly hosts tours for lawmakers and regulators and invests in workforce development to strengthen career pathways and retention. A new robotic inspection dog, SPOT, improves safety and efficiency on routine checks. As a pioneer in low-carbon cement, Ash Grove continues to set the standard for responsible manufacturing in Washington and beyond.
Finalists: HF Sinclair Puget Sound Refinery, Anacortes; TigerStop LLC, Vancouver.
Manufacturing Excellence Award for Operational Excellence: Acknowledges a standout Washington state manufacturer that exemplifies operational excellence through a unique manufacturing process. Criteria include a focus on continuous improvement, the implementation of lean and six sigma methodologies, and/or the application of cutting-edge technology.
Winner: Jubilant HollisterStier, Spokane. A leader in manufacturing sterile injectables, JHS reorganized technician schedules into a four-shift model, boosting flexibility and breaking a Q1 filling record. A recent Kaizen event strengthened lean practices and boosted output by 20%. The company also is investing in new technology, including AI-powered sensors to prevent equipment failures, while maintaining rigorous global compliance and quality standards. When the second half of an expansion wraps in 2026, JHS will be able to produce more than 60 million vials a year — reaching more than 300 million patients worldwide.
Finalists: HF Sinclair Puget Sound Refinery, Anacortes; Kaiser Aluminum Washington, Spokane Valley.
Manufacturing Excellence Award for Innovation: Celebrates a Washington state manufacturer that stands out for an exceptional commitment to innovation. The recipient has not only maintained a competitive advantage but has also demonstrated unparalleled responsiveness to ever-evolving market demands. A trailblazer who redefines manufacturing innovation through ingenuity and adaptability.
Winner: CarbonQuest, Spokane Valley. CarbonQuest builds compact carbon capture systems that fit tight urban spaces and help buildings cut emissions. Using 3D installation mapping, the company can retrofit everything from apartments to power plants with solutions tailored to available space and infrastructure, making carbon capture practical across all sectors. An adaptable, problem-solving culture encourages employees to raise challenges, test ideas and drive continuous improvement.
Finalists: Altek Inc., Liberty Lake; Premier Manufacturing, Liberty Lake.