Tri-City Transmission Named Winner of 2017 BBB International Torch Award for Ethics

Award Honors Outstanding Businesses for Leadership Character and Organizational Ethics

Arlington, VA (August 28, 2017) –   Tempe business, Tri-City Transmission and Auto Repair has been awarded the 2017 BBB International Torch Award for Ethics. This award is presented to businesses in recognition of best practices in leadership character and organizational ethics.  Tri-City Transmission is one of only 4 businesses in the United States to win this prestigious award. 

“These companies deserve widespread public recognition for the many steps they take each day to ensure top-notch ethical treatment of their customers, employees, vendors and suppliers, stakeholders, and the communities in which they do business. Through the international competition and the many local competitions, the Better Business Bureau system is sending an important message:  consistently conducting yourself or your business in an ethical fashion is important and deserving of recognition,” said Genie Barton, President of the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust.

Winners and finalists are selected by an independent panel of judges. Businesses are evaluated against criteria including leadership character, commitment to and demonstration of ethical practices in the marketplace; high standard of behavior toward customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, and communities; truthfulness and accuracy of advertising and sales practices; ethical reputation among industry peers and communities in which they do business; and training and communication programs to assist employees in carrying out established ethics policies. To be eligible for entry in the BBB International Torch Award for Ethics, a business must first be a winner of their local BBB award program.

About the Winners

Category 1 (1-10 employees) - Tri-City Transmission, Tempe, AZ
Purchased in 2006 by Owner Dave Riccio, Tri-City Transmission is a family-owned auto repair shop that specializes in service, repair and replacement of automotive transmissions in Tempe, Arizona. The company’s pledge –“we do the right things, for the right reasons, even when no one is looking” – has proven that they are a different kind of business in the automotive repair industry. The company prides itself on providing honest, reliable and trustworthy service to each of its customers. From its leadership commitment to the industry, to customer interactions, to its innovative approach to hiring the right people, everything is done with a purpose and is a reflection of the company’s values and commitment to upholding the highest moral standards. Staff gets to work in a collaborative environment where everyone is encouraged to give their feedback and ideas, as well as receive team bonuses for work well done. Tri-City Transmission is recognized nationally by the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association as an industry leader and contributor.

Category 2 (11-99 employees) - Coastal Payroll Service, San Diego, CA
Founded in 2007, Coastal Payroll Services provides human capital management solutions for employers across the United States. The dedication to providing ethical and honest service begins with the company’s executive team who believes in leading by example; always putting its clients and employees first and abiding by a set of values that governs their daily actions. Coastal Payroll employees undergo a rigorous interview process which includes personality and problem solving tests to ensure each employee align with the company’s culture and values. Employees enjoy generous work perks and benefits like company fun days, time off to volunteer at events, tuition reimbursement, wellness months and much more. Coastal Payroll is active in leading payroll industry organizations promoting best practices and helping companies stay abreast of industry news, compliance and regulations. The company has received numerous recognitions including being named one of San Diego’s 150 Fastest Growing Companies, Fortune Magazine’s #29 best small business to work for in the country, as well as consistently landing a spot on the Inc. 5000 list.

Category 3 (100-499 employees) - Baker Electric Solar, Escondido, CA
Family-owned and operated since 1938, Baker Electric Solar is committed to delivering premium solar and home battery systems to homeowners across Southern California. Baker prides itself on doing business “The Baker Way” – requiring a solid set of ethics including honesty, integrity and responsiveness. Regular customer feedback and reviews ensures that every Baker team member is held responsible for delivering an extraordinary customer experience through the demonstration of those ethics and best-in-class skills. Because the company does not subcontract, homeowners have peace of mind that they will work directly with Baker throughout the process of system design and installation and for any service after installation.  In addition, the company’s 25-year workmanship warranty, unique in the industry, provides further assurance to homeowners.  Recognizing its most important asset, Baker’s annual Leroy Awards honor a select few employees whose significant contributions to the business and its customers serve as real-life examples of the “The Baker Way”. Employees also receive competitive pay, end of year goal bonuses, on-going training, anniversary celebrations, holiday parties, wellness seminars and team building events. Baker Electric Solar has been recognized on both local and national levels for its service and contributions to the rise of renewable energy in Southern California.

Category 4 (500 or more employees) - WPS Health Solutions, Madison, WI
With roots dating back to 1946, WPS Health Solutions is committed to conducting business with honesty and integrity, and strives to exceed our customers’ expectations for excellence and service. WPS is a not-for-profit health insurer and administers health benefits for millions of seniors, active-duty military and veterans and their families.  The heart of the company’s corporate responsibility efforts is the Code of Conduct, a guiding document that helps employees live up to its core values: Individual Responsibility; Mutual Respect; Customer Focused; Driven and Passionate. WPS Health Solutions take an active role in the health and well-being of the communities its customers and employees call home. The company’s key areas of support include women’s and children’s health, and support of our military personnel and veterans. For the past eight years, WPS Health Solutions has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere® Institute. It also is a winner of the 2016 BBB Torch Awards for Business Ethics and Integrity, presented by the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau Foundation.

About the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust
The BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust is the educational foundation of the Council of Better Business Bureaus and a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.  Its goal is to advance trust in the marketplace through programs that promote best practices and business ethics, raise consumer awareness and training about scams, fraud, and deceptive advertising, and build financial and digital literacy.  The Institute offers in-person and online training, print and digital educational resources, scholarships and programs, and work with BBB offices in all 50 states, Canada and Mexico.

Media Contacts: For more information, journalists should contact Katherine Hutt at 703-247-9345 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.