SHELBY — Dr. Greg Bookwalter credited Dr. Brennan Skulski’s leadership as the reason the orthodontics office won a Richland Area Chamber small business of the year award Tuesday.
“I would have never got this award,” he said. “I told Dr. Skulski when he joined me a few years ago that he’s a better businessman than I was and will ever be.
“So congratulations to Dr. Skulski and thank you for this honor.”
The Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development awarded Bookwalter & Skulski Orthodontics and K.E. McCartney & Associates, Inc. Small Business of the Year awards at the 27th annual ceremony at the Kehoe Center on Tuesday.
Chamber President and CEO Ellen Heinz said among nine businesses recognized at the event, together they employ more than 200 people and generate more than $10 million in revenue.
“I want to thank each of you for investing in our community and helping make this such a wonderful place to live, work and play,” Heinz said. “Thank you for the blood, sweat, money and tears that you put into your businesses every day.
“Thank you for investing in our future and all that you do.”
This year’s Small Business of the Year awards was the first without Norbert Peiker, the former chamber board chair who helped create the Small Business of the Year awards. He passed away earlier this year.
While Heinz has only been the chamber president and CEO since March, she worked with Peiker about 16 years ago while in Richland County.
“Norbert has left an enduring legacy of supporting small businesses,” Heinz said. “We would not be here if it worked for Norbert’s vision for this awards ceremony.”
K.E. McCartney & Associates, Inc. won the Small Business of the Year award in the 15+ employees category. The two other finalists were ES Consulting and Southern Title of Ohio, Ltd.
Bookwalter & Skulski Orthodontics won in the 14-and-fewer employees category. The two other finalists were the Eichinger Brafford McClead Group (Merrill Lynch Wealth Management) and Local Project Pro.
Heinz said a committee judged nominees in areas of employee practices, community involvement, customer service, entrepreneurship and overall business performance.
K.E. McCartney & Associates
Kenneth E. McCartney, a Korean War veteran, founded the engineering firm in 1978 with a focus on civil engineering services that uphold quality standards and environmental stewardship.
The company’s mission is to provide quality civil engineering and surveying services through clear communication, innovative solutions and efficient work, according to its website.
Brian McCartney, president and owner of the firm, took over the business in 1994 with help from his siblings Ken — now vice president and co-owner – and Val.
“After dad passed, I felt a strong sense of responsibility to him and to the employees working for us at the time to do my best to keep the business running,” Brian said. “We made a go of it, and haven’t looked back.”
Brian McCartney accepted the award on behalf of his family and team.
“We have 58 men and women employed at KEM, each of whom I consider to be part of our family,” he said. “It’s an honor to provide services to all the communities in Richland County. It is truly my hope that we’ve made a difference not only through our engineering services, but our community service as well.”
“I can’t express enough how proud I am of our team and the work we do,” Brian McCartney said. “I think what makes us different is we’re not profit-driven, we’re purpose-driven. At our core, we care more about our clear communication, quality of services, community engagement and client satisfaction.
“I truly believe as long as we continue to make this our primary focus, our profits will take care of themselves.”
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Bookwalter & Skulski Orthodontics
Dr. Brennan Skulski said most of the orthodontist’s customers are teenagers and about 20% are adults.
“I just like having fun with the kids and talking to them about their day,” he said. “That’s honestly the best part of my day is just getting to know them.
“We have nine employees who are what makes this practice run smoothly. They make our patients feel welcome and create a fun atmosphere that makes our patients want to come in for visits.”
Skulski joined Bookwalter’s practice in 2019 and bought the business in 2021. Both doctors operate out of the Cline Avenue office.
Skulski thanked Dr. Bookwalter, each of his employees, and his wife Lizzy at Tuesday’s ceremony.
“I want to start by saying I was so happy and kind of speechless finding out we were nominated, and to be a finalist — wow,” he said.
“I’d like to thank the community that raised me and that was the perfect place to come back to. I like to think that we increase the confidence of our patients when they get their finished smile, but I owe gratitude to the people who trusted me to take care of them or their child. Their support is something I’ll never take for granted.”
Skulski also thanked Bookwalter for establishing the culture of the practice and for being his mentor.
“He’s a great orthodontist, there’s no denying that and a great mentor,” Skulski said. “Dr. Bookwalter had already established the culture of always doing what is right for the patient.
“He pretty much taught me everything I know about running a business. I was the luckiest ortho resident to be introduced to him way back when.”
Both KEM and Bookwalter & Skulski Orthodontics are nominated for the national U.S. Chamber of Commerce small business awards through their wins locally.
Also at Tuesday’s ceremony, the chamber presented the large nonprofit of the year award to The Friendly House, the small Nonprofit of the Year award to Rubies Women’s Group, and the Entrepreneurial Spirit award to Allison Pence Art.
For-Profit Semifinalists included: Bob & Bob Door Company, Clothes Mentor, Custom Control, DECA Manufacturing, EZ Suite Management, Ideal Electric, Kimmy’s Cucina, Laurence’s Towing, McCready Interiors/Norwalk The Furniture Idea, Miller’s Jewelry & Repair, Olive & Oak, Pinnacle Building Services, RLB CPAs, Inc., Shelby/Mansfield KOA and Studio 19 Salon & Spa.
Medical Mutual was the presenting sponsor of the 2024 awards and Mechanics Bank was the video sponsor. Premier sponsors included Alumni Roofing Co, DRM Productions Inc, OhioHealth Mansfield and Shelby Hospitals, Park National Bank and Richland Source.
To learn more about the finalists for Small Business of the Year, visit the Richland Area Chamber’s YouTube and Facebook pages.