About the
Utah Ethical Leadership Awards

The Utah Ethical Leadership Awards program is a collaboration of the Daniels Fund, the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative at the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business and the Community Foundation of Utah. Our goal is to recognize Utah businesses, nonprofit organizations and government entities that embody best practices in ethical behaviors. One organization from each sector will be recognized with a Utah Ethical Leadership Award. The winner of the business category will be recognized with the Bill Daniels Ethical Leadership Award. All business, nonprofit and government entities that conduct themselves within the ethical standards of this award and meet our eligibility requirements are welcome to apply.

The Utah Ethical Leadership Awards are designed to recognize organizations that embody the spirit of ethical leadership exhibited by Bill Daniels. Bill Daniels believed deeply in ethics and integrity and in the importance of absolute ethical principles. As an exceptionally honest businessman, he always based his decisions on what he believed was right — not just what he thought was best for himself or his company. This attitude and style of conducting business earned Bill Daniels incredible respect and loyalty throughout the business world.

The Utah Ethical Leadership Awards will return in 2024.
Please check back in January 2024 for more information.

Utah Ethical Leadership Awards Winners Archive

2022 Utah Ethical Leadership Awards

Six businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies that embody the spirit of ethical leadership were recognized at the 2022 Utah Ethical Leadership Awards

The awards recognize organizations that embody the spirit of ethical leadership exhibited by Bill Daniels, a pioneer in the modern cable industry and former owner of the Utah Stars. Daniels believed deeply in ethics and integrity, and the importance of absolute ethical principles. An exceptionally honest businessman, Daniels always based his decisions on what he believed was right — not just what he thought was best for himself or his company. This attitude earned him respect and loyalty throughout the business world.

“The eight principles of the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative reflect the values Bill Daniels felt were critical to his business success, just as they have guided the businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations here today,” said Daniels Fund President and CEO Hanna Skandera. “All the organizations recognized today should be celebrated as great examples of ethical leadership in the State of Utah.”

This year’s awards honor six organizations — three winners and three finalists — who embody that spirit. Two businesses, two nonprofits, and two government agencies were recognized.

This year’s winners and finalists, honored the morning of Sept. 30, are:

Bill Daniels Ethical Leadership Award in Business

Overall Winner: Mountain America Credit Union

Finalist: BHI

Nonprofits

Overall Winner: Adopt A Native Elder Program

Finalist: Catholic Community Services

Government Agencies

Overall Winner: Summit County Sheriff’s Office

Finalist: Salt Lake County Council on Diversity Affairs

The honorees were announced at a breakfast celebration on Friday, Sept. 30 at the David Eccles School of Business. All finalists were invited to attend the event.

The awards program is sponsored by the Daniels Fund, the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program at the David Eccles School of Business, the Community Foundation of Utah, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, and Utah Business Magazine.

Winners exhibit exemplary demonstration of the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Principles:

  • Integrity – Act with honesty in all situations
  • Trust – Build trust in all stakeholder relationships
  • Accountability – Accept responsibility for all decisions
  • Transparency – Maintain open and truthful communications
  • Fairness – Engage in fair competition and create equitable and just relationships
  • Respect – Honor the rights, freedoms, views and property of others
  • Rule of Law – Comply with the spirit and intent of laws and regulations
  • Viability – Create long-term value for all relevant stakeholders

2021 Utah Ethical Leadership Awards

Six businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies that embody the spirit of ethical leadership were recognized at the 2021 Utah Ethical Leadership Awards.

The awards recognize organizations that embody the spirit of ethical leadership exhibited by Bill Daniels, a pioneer in the modern cable industry and former owner of the Utah Stars. Daniels believed deeply in ethics and integrity, and the importance of absolute ethical principles. An exceptionally honest businessman, Daniels always based his decisions on what he believed was right — not just what he thought was best for himself or his company. This attitude earned him respect and loyalty throughout the business world.

“The Utah Ethical Leadership Awards Program celebrates ethical leadership in the spirit of Bill Daniels. The competition within categories was fierce, and all the organizations recognized today should be celebrated as great examples of ethical leadership in the State of Utah,” said Daniels Fund President and CEO Hanna Skandera.

This year’s awards honor nine organizations — three winners and three finalists — who embody that spirit. Two businesses, two nonprofits, and two government entities were recognized.

This year’s winners and finalists honored Friday morning were:

Bill Daniels Ethical Leadership Award in Business

  • Overall Winner – Zions Bank
  • Finalist – Gem City Fine Foods

Nonprofit

  • Overall Winner – CAPSA
  • Finalist – The Christian Center of Park City

Government

  • Overall Winner – Salt Lake County COVID-19 Response
  • Finalist – Summit County

The honorees were announced at a virtual celebration on Friday, Sept. 17. All finalists were invited to attend the breakfast.

The awards program is sponsored by the Daniels Fund, the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program at the David Eccles School of Business, the Community Foundation of Utah, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, and Utah Business Magazine. Winners exhibit exemplary demonstration of the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Principles:

  • Integrity – Act with honesty in all situations
  • Trust – Build trust in all stakeholder relationships
  • Accountability – Accept responsibility for all decisions
  • Transparency – Maintain open and truthful communications
  • Fairness – Engage in fair competition and create equitable and just relationships
  • Respect – Honor the rights, freedoms, views and property of others
  • Rule of Law – Comply with the spirit and intent of laws and regulations
  • Viability – Create long-term value for all relevant stakeholders

2020 Utah Ethical Leadership Awards

Nine businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies that embody the spirit of ethical leadership were recognized at the 2020 Utah Ethical Leadership Awards.

The awards recognize organizations that embody the spirit of ethical leadership exhibited by Bill Daniels, a pioneer in the modern cable industry and former owner of the Utah Stars. Daniels believed deeply in ethics and integrity, and the importance of absolute ethical principles. An exceptionally honest businessman, Daniels always based his decisions on what he believed was right — not just what he thought was best for himself or his company. This attitude earned him respect and loyalty throughout the business world.

“The Utah Ethical Leadership Awards Program celebrates ethical leadership in the spirit of Bill Daniels. The State of Utah should be proud of the incredible organizations, companies, and agencies throughout the state that hold themselves to the highest ethical standards,” said Bo Peretto, Daniels Fund Senior Vice President, Ethics Initiative.

This year’s awards honor nine organizations — three winners and six finalists — who embody that spirit. Three businesses, three nonprofits, and three government entities were recognized.

This year’s winners and finalists honored Friday morning were:

Bill Daniels Ethical Leadership Award in Business

  • Overall Winner – MarketStar
  • Finalists – Mountain America Credit Union and Simplus

Nonprofit

  • Overall Winner – The Inn Between
  • Finalists – The Other Side Academy and Bicycle Collective

Government

  • Overall Winner – South Jordan City
  • Finalists – Utah Department of Administrative Services and Salt Lake County Office for New Americans

The honorees were announced at a virtual celebration on Friday, Sept. 18. All finalists were invited to attend the breakfast.

The awards program is sponsored by the Daniels Fund, the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program at the David Eccles School of Business, the Community Foundation of Utah, Utah Business Magazine and the Center for Public Policy and Administration at the University of Utah. Winners exhibit exemplary demonstration of the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Principles:

  • Integrity – Act with honesty in all situations
  • Trust – Build trust in all stakeholder relationships
  • Accountability – Accept responsibility for all decisions
  • Transparency – Maintain open and truthful communications
  • Fairness – Engage in fair competition and create equitable and just relationships
  • Respect – Honor the rights, freedoms, views and property of others
  • Rule of Law – Comply with the spirit and intent of laws and regulations
  • Viability – Create long-term value for all relevant stakeholders

2019 Utah Ethical Leadership Awards

Nine businesses, nonprofits and government agencies that embody the spirit of ethical leadership were honored with the 2019 Utah Ethical Leadership Awards.

The awards recognize organizations that embody the spirit of ethical leadership exhibited by Bill Daniels, a founder of the modern cable industry and former owner of the Utah Stars. Daniels believed deeply in ethics and integrity, and the importance of absolute ethical principles. An exceptionally honest businessman, Daniels always based his decisions on what he believed was right — not just what he thought was best for himself or his company. This attitude earned him respect and loyalty throughout the business world.

“The Utah Ethical Leadership Awards Program celebrates ethical leadership in the spirit of Bill Daniels. The competition within categories was fierce, and all the organizations recognized today should be celebrated as great examples of ethical leadership in the State of Utah,” said Bo Peretto, Daniels Fund Senior Vice President of Communications and Operations.

This year’s awards honor nine organizations — three winners and six finalists — who embody that spirit. Three businesses, three nonprofits and three government entities were recognized.

This year’s winners and finalists honored Friday morning were:

Business

  • Overall Winner – Savage
  • Finalists – Northrop Grumman Corporation and Zions Bank

Nonprofit

  • Overall Winner – Fit To Recover Inc.
  • Finalists – Maliheh Free Clinic and Utah Foundation

Government

  • Overall Winner – The City of South Salt Lake – Promise South Salt Lake
  • Finalists – The Utah Division of Archives and Records Service and The Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments

The honorees were announced at a breakfast celebration on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 in the Bill and Pat Child Family Community Hall at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business. All finalists were invited to attend the breakfast.

The awards program is sponsored by the Daniels Fund, the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative at the David Eccles School of Business, the Community Foundation of Utah, Utah Business Magazine and the Center for Public Policy and Administration at the University of Utah. Winners exhibit exemplary demonstration of the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Principles:

  • Integrity – Act with honesty in all situations
  • Trust – Build trust in all stakeholder relationships
  • Accountability – Accept responsibility for all decisions
  • Transparency – Maintain open and truthful communications
  • Fairness – Engage in fair competition and create equitable and just relationships
  • Respect – Honor the rights, freedoms, views and property of others
  • Rule of Law – Comply with the spirit and intent of laws and regulations
  • Viability – Create long-term value for all relevant stakeholders

2018 Utah Ethical Leadership Awards

Ten businesses, nonprofits and government agencies that embody the spirit of ethical leadership were honored with the 2018 Utah Ethical Leadership Awards.

The awards recognize organizations that embody the spirit of ethical leadership exhibited by Bill Daniels, a founder of the modern cable industry and former owner of the Utah Stars. Daniels believed deeply in ethics and integrity, and the importance of absolute ethical principles. An exceptionally honest businessman, Daniels always based his decisions on what he believed was right — not just what he thought was best for himself or his company. This attitude earned him respect and loyalty throughout the business world.

“The Utah Ethical Leadership Awards Program celebrates ethical leadership in the spirit of Bill Daniels. The competition within categories was fierce, and all the organizations recognized today should be celebrated as great examples of ethical leadership in the State of Utah,” said Bo Peretto, Daniels Fund Senior Vice President of Communications and Operations.

This year’s awards honor 10 organizations — four winners and six finalists — who embody that spirit. Four businesses, three nonprofits and three government entities were recognized. This year’s winners are YESCO and All West Communications (a tie in the Business category), Children’s Service Society of Utah (Nonprofit) and Utah Legislative Offices (Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, the Office of Legislative Fiscal Analyst, and the Office of Legislative Auditor General) (Government). The winners were announced at a breakfast celebration on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018 in the Bill and Pat Child Family Community Hall at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business. All finalists were invited to attend the breakfast.

The awards program is sponsored by the Daniels Fund, the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative at the David Eccles School of Business, the Community Foundation of Utah, Utah Business Magazine and the Center for Public Policy and Administration at the University of Utah. Winners exhibit exemplary demonstration of the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Principles:

  • Integrity – Act with honesty in all situations
  • Trust – Build trust in all stakeholder relationships
  • Accountability – Accept responsibility for all decisions
  • Transparency – Maintain open and truthful communications
  • Fairness – Engage in fair competition and create equitable and just relationships
  • Respect – Honor the rights, freedoms, views and property of others
  • Rule of Law – Comply with the spirit and intent of laws and regulations
  • Viability – Create long-term value for all relevant stakeholders

The organizations honored Friday morning were:

Business

  • Overall Winners (tie) – YESCO and All West Communications
  • Finalists – Simplus and Brody Chemical

Nonprofit

  • Overall Winner – Children’s Service Society of Utah
  • Finalists – Project Read and Salt Lake Donated Dental Services

Government

  • Overall Winner – Utah Legislative Offices (Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, the Office of Legislative Fiscal Analyst, and the Office of Legislative Auditor General)
  • Finalists – The Salt Lake County Office for New Americans and Millcreek, a Utah Municipal Corporation

2017 Utah Ethical Leadership Awards

The David Eccles School of Business Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative, the Daniels Fund and the Community Foundation of Utah honored ten companies, nonprofits and government agencies at the fourth annual Utah Ethical Leadership Awards on Sept. 8, 2017.

The awards recognize organizations that embody the spirit of ethical leadership exhibited by Bill Daniels, a founder of the modern cable industry and former owner of the Utah Stars. Daniels believed deeply in ethics and integrity, and the importance of absolute ethical principles. An exceptionally honest businessman, Daniels always based his decisions on what he believed was right — not just what he thought was best for himself or his company. This attitude earned him respect and loyalty throughout the business world.

“The Utah Ethical Leadership Awards recognize Utah businesses, nonprofit organizations and government entities that embody best practices in ethical behaviors,” said Governor Gary Herbert. “The finalists and awardees are a great representation of Utah’s principle-based ethical leadership.”

This year’s awards honor 10 organizations — three winners and seven finalists — who embody that spirit. This year’s winners are Tink’s Superior Auto Parts (Business), The Lowell Bennion Community Service Center (Government) and Big Brothers, Big Sisters (Nonprofit). The winners were announced at a breakfast celebration on Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in the Bill and Pat Child Family Community Hall at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business. All finalists were invited to attend the breakfast.

The awards program is sponsored by the Daniels Fund, the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative at the David Eccles School of Business, the Community Foundation of Utah, Utah Business Magazine and the Center for Public Policy and Administration at the University of Utah. Winners exhibit exemplary demonstration of the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Principles:

  • Integrity – Act with honesty in all situations
  • Trust – Build trust in all stakeholder relationships
  • Accountability – Accept responsibility for all decisions
  • Transparency – Maintain open and truthful communications
  • Fairness – Engage in fair competition and create equitable and just relationships
  • Respect – Honor the rights, freedoms, views and property of others
  • Rule of Law – Comply with the spirit and intent of laws and regulations
  • Viability – Create long-term value for all relevant stakeholders

About the Winners

Tink’s Superior Auto Parts is a family-owned business whose business is customer service; it just happens to be in the auto parts industry. President and owner Gary B. Holyoak is known in Southern Utah as “Honest Gary” because of years of transparent and open transactions with customers at the company’s five stores throughout Red Rock Country. Recently, a NAPA store in a nearby community was going under, and Gary learned that the owner had quite serious cancer. Though Tink’s could have financially benefited to let the competitor go out of business, Gary bought the store for much more than it was worth. I’ve been told that he would not want this to be public knowledge, but this is even more of a reason we are excited to announce Tink’s Superior Auto Parts, this year’s winners of the Bill Daniels Ethical Leadership Award in Business.

For 30 years, The Lowell Bennion Community Service Center has fostered lifelong service and civic participation by engaging students at the University of Utah with the greater community through action, change and learning. The Bennion Center builds learning communities by creating a safe space for diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. It works to communicate honestly and with integrity, and to treat others with compassion and understanding. The Bennion Center has sponsored thousands of community service projects over the years and its impact on the people of Utah cannot be overstated. Congratulations to the Lowell Bennion Center, winners of the Bill Daniels Ethical Leadership Award in the government category.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters has an ambitious mission: to provide Utah children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. This mission is not taken lightly. To accomplish this, the nonprofit facilitates and supports one-to-one mentoring for children facing multiple risk factors and few protection factors through recruiting and training mentors — a Big Brother or Big Sister. These mentoring matches are actively supported for the life of the match, with the goal to have the match last for at least 12 months. The organization also believes in transparency at every level from its youths, parents, mentors and staff. Recently Big Brothers, Big Sisters instituted a system of two-way reviews, monthly check-in meetings and semi-annual reviews. This structure promotes ongoing open and honest communications so staff members feel supported and invested in. Congratulations to Big Brothers, Big Sisters, winners of the Bill Daniels Ethical Leadership Award in the nonprofit category.

2022 Utah Ethical Leadership Awards

The David Eccles School of Business Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative, the Daniels Fund and the Community Foundation of Utah honored nine companies, nonprofits and government agencies at the third annual Utah Ethical Leadership Awards on Sept. 9, 2016.

More than 30 organizations applied for the awards, and winners and finalists were announced at a breakfast award ceremony in the Bill & Pat Child Family Community Hall in the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles Business Building. The winners and finalists were:

Private Companies
Winner: Mark Miller Subaru
Finalists: Tink’s Superior Auto Parts; WCF Insurance

Nonprofits
Winner: National Ability Center
Finalists: Comunidades Unidas; Kostopulos Dream Foundation/Camp K

Governmental Agencies
Winner: Utah Developmental Disability Council
Finalists: Coalville City; Commission on Service and Volunteerism

Gov. Gary Herbert spoke at the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices in all facets of Utah professional life.

“I appreciate that we’re awarding good behavior. That’s good parenting, to reward good behavior and eschew the bad. I appreciate we’re here honoring those who are doing it right and that we’re making a big deal out of ethical behavior, which I believe most of us do every day,” Herbert said. “We all have an opportunity to be an example, and we have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to make society better by being a good example.”

Jeff Miller, general manager of Mark Miller Subaru, was honored that the company his father built was recognized for its ethics, joking that it probably seemed funny to have a car dealership accepting an ethics award, but that perception is why he works hard to ensure every employee follows strong ethical practices.

“We talk about ethics at Mark Miller Subaru because it’s so important to our company to do the right thing,” Miller said. “It has to be in the DNA of the company.”

Two winning organizations that work with people with disabilities focused on the importance of the trust they create with their clients and the community.

“It’s the families, the veterans and the kids we serve who are an example of ethical leadership to us every day, and they are an inspiration,” said Gail Loveland, executive director of the National Ability Center.

Deborah Bowman, chair of the Utah Developmental Disabilities Council, hopes Friday’s recognition helps Utahns realize the importance of providing services to help keep people with developmental disabilities with their families and be welcomed into the community.

“We want communities to value all people of all abilities and to realize that all people can contribute to society, which they can’t do if they are segregated from society in an institution,” Bowman said. “It’s an honor to serve the people we serve and to be recognized for how far we’ve come. While we have a long way to go, we have come a long way, too.”

The awards recognize organizations that embody the spirit of ethical leadership exhibited by businessman Bill Daniels, who believed deeply in ethics and integrity, and in the importance of absolute ethical principles.