Business Briefs Business Briefs (December 24, 2004)

Springboard Forward wins award

Springboard Forward, an organization that helps people work their way out of poverty was awarded a Social Capitalist Award by Fast Company magazine and the Monitor Group, a consulting firm.

The award recognizes the Googles, Amazons and Microsofts of the social sector, companies that invent technologies that serve the poor and/or help developing nations. The 25 winners will be featured in the January issue of Fast Company, available on newsstands Dec. 21.

Changes at Thoits Insurance

Battistini & Canfield Insurance Services announced its merger with Thoits Insurance of Mountain View, the West Coast's largest 100-percent employee-owned insurance brokerage, on Dec. 8. The combined organization will continue to operate from both Mountain View and Santa Cruz and will be owned by employees of both organizations.

Also, on Dec.15, Paul Saich was selected as executive vice president by the board of directors at Thoits. He has been with Thoits since 1996.

Pet groomer honored

Kerry Evans, owner of Aussie Pet Mobile Mid Peninsula in Mountain View, was recently presented the Franchisee of the Year award by the Aussie Pet Mobile corporate office.

Aussie Pet Mobile is the largest mobile pet grooming franchise in the U.S. Evans was recognized for being the top sales producer for franchisees who own six or more mobile pet-grooming trailers.

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