2016 Top Company awards: Winners and finalists embody state's economic vitality.

• Author: Caley, Nora

This year's Top Company winners and finalists represent large and small, old and new, high-tech and high-touch businesses and organizations in 11 industry categories. Like Colorado itself, these enterprises have undergone changes, endured tumultuous economic times, and overcome various hurdles to achieve distinction in their respective fields.

To be eligible for Top Company consideration, companies must be based in Colorado or have a significant presence in the state. Deloitte, a longtime program sponsor, selects up to three finalists per industry category from applications submitted online at cobizmag.com. A panel made up of ColoradoBiz magazine's editorial board and representatives from the business community then selects the winners based on financial performance or other relevant metric, achievement in one or more operational aspect of their business, and community involvement.

Read on to learn about our 29th annual Top Company Awards winners and finalists

Winner

American Furniture Warehouse

www.afwonline.com

American Furniture Warehouse is one of the largest privately held furniture companies in the U.S., with 14 locations. In 2015, AFW gave $3 million to hundreds of organizations in the form of gift cards for silent auctions, fundraisers, furniture and cash for specific projects.

When AFW opened its two newest locations in Arizona, staffers were immediately busy. They soon found that many Coloradans have second homes in the Grand Canyon State. "One of the reasons we went to Arizona was that we knew many people went there from here," says Jake Jabs, president and CEO. "Customers in Arizona love us because of our great prices, huge selection and no high-pressure selling. We don't sell warranties, fabric protection, etc., so our salespeople are not trying to up-sell those types of items."

AFW has 12 stores in Colorado and plans to further expand in Arizona. The company was founded in 1975, and has endured economic ups and downs over the years by buying furniture all over the world, training associates to give the best customer service, developing efficient warehouse operations, and owning and operating its own fleet of over-the-road trucks to pick up furniture and deliver to customers across the country.

What really helps the company succeed, Jabs says, is positive word-of-mouth from loyal customers. "Our customers recommend us to friends and family," he says. "Our advertising costs are a fraction of most furniture stores. We always have new and hot-selling merchandise. We keep up on the latest styles and our decorators make our displays very attractive. We run mean and lean and we sell quality furniture for less than our competitors."

Finalists

Seattle Fish Co.

www.seattlefish.com

Colorado restaurants that want to serve Scottish Sea Farms Atlantic Salmon, Hawaiian Kampachi, Island Creek Oysters or Spanish Tenderized Octopus look to Seattle Fish Co. The Rocky Mountain region's largest supplier of fresh and frozen seafood also offers other types of fish, and receives and distributes 10 million pounds of seafood annually. The company distributes to more than 1,400 grocers and restaurants across the region. Seattle Fish Co. supports sustainable fishing principles and is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, an eco-labeling organization. SFC hopes to accomplish its goal of SFC 100, which will represent 100 years in business and $100 million by revenue in 2018.

CONSUMER

Elite Brands of Colorado

www.elite-brands.com

It's not easy keeping up with the evolving craft beer industry, but Denver-based Elite Brands of Colorado has a goal to be the distributor-of-choice to Colorado's craft beer, wine and spirit industry. The company represents producers of alcoholic beverages from around the world and sells and delivers product directly to retail partners throughout the state. The team considers product quality, geography, style, packaging, and succinct business and branding strategies to curate a portfolio that is unique and diverse.

Schomp Automotive

www.ralphschomp.com

Schomp Automotive dealerships include Schomp Honda, which has received Honda's President's Award nine times, Schomp MINI, which is Denver's largest volume MINI Cooper dealer, Fay Myers Motorcycle World, which carries more than a dozen brands of motorcycles, and Schomp BMW. Schomp also added the Arkonik brand to its portfolio, offering customers restored Land Rover Defenders. Schomp will open Mercedes-Benz of Farmington, Utah, in the fall of 2016. In 2015, the car company donated more than $154,000 to charities, and through partnerships raised more than $1 million for causes throughout the community.

Winner

CoBank

www.cobank.com

CoBank is a $118 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. Formed in 1989 through a merger of 11 banks, CoBank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other services to affiliated Farm Credit associations in 23 states.

Bob Engel, CEO of CoBank, says the bank is cooperatively owned, so its interests are aligned with its customers, who are also the owners. "They allow us to manage the bank for the long term. We are willing and able to make investments in people, processes and systems that will help us deliver value and a superior experience to our customers as we fulfill our promises to rural America for generations to come. It's a huge advantage when compared to an investor-owned bank where management must focus on quarterly earnings and share price."

He adds that CoBank will remain focused on providing dependable credit to industries that are the backbone of America's rural economy. "We will accomplish our goals by investing in and enhancing our sustainable competitive advantage - our people," he says. "Our goals include continuously demonstrating that we know more and care more about our customers while graciously accepting our responsibilities as a socially responsible corporate citizen and beacon of hope for rural America."

Earlier this year CoBank announced it renewed its Sharing Success charitable contribution program for 2016. The bank's board of directors approved a commitment of $3 million for the program, which will be used to match donations by cooperatives and other eligible customers to nonprofits, in their communities.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Finalists

Bellco Credit Union

www.bellco.org

Founded in 1936 as the credit union for Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph employees, Bellco Credit Union has since grown into one of Colorado's largest financial institutions, open directly to individuals and businesses throughout the state. In 2015, Bellco saw 8 percent growth in new members as well as double-digit growth in both loans and deposits. Greenwood Village-based Bellco has more than 260,000 members and $3 billion in assets, and operates 21 branches in the Denver metro area and one in Grand Junction. In 2016, Bellco plans to retrofit current branches with new banking technologies and open new branches.

FirstBank Holding Co.

www.efirstbank.com

FirstBank started in 1963 in a 50-foot trailer dubbed the "Check Wagon." Over the years FirstBank grew to 122 locations in Colorado, Arizona and California, serving 700,000 customers. As of March 31, 2016, FirstBank's total assets stood at $16 billion, an increase of 6.5 percent compared to last year. FirstBank believes economic prosperity comes from successful small businesses, so the bank features small-business customers on billboards, online ads and its corporate blog. In 2010 FirstBank and Community First Foundation started Colorado Gives Day, a 24-hour online giving initiative. The bank invested more than $2.5 million to spur nonprofit donations and promote the program, and Colorado Gives Day has raised more than $111 million for nonprofits. FirstBank is adding four locations in Denver and Phoenix by year-end 2016.

Winner

Health Solutions

www.Health.Solutions

Pueblo-based Health Solutions provides services to more than 9,000 individuals annually. The company offers 24 programs, with a goal of enabling clients to experience productive and healthy lives. It offers the full spectrum of care for children, adolescents...