Minnesota Keystone Names Mortenson Construction Among 2011 Honored Companies

Minneapolis, MN - The Minnesota Keystone Program has named Standard Heating & Air Conditioning, Weber Shandwick and Mortenson Construction as 2011 Keystone Honored Company award winners. These three companies are being recognized for their generous contributions and outstanding corporate giving programs.

The three were chosen from nearly 200 Minnesota Keystone member companies, and will be honored at the annual Minnesota Keystone Awards Luncheon on December 14 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis.

The Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce launched Minnesota Keystone in 1976 to recognize companies that enhance the quality of life in Minnesota by giving back at least two percent of pre-tax net earnings.

The awards go to companies in three size categories. With less than 75 employees, Standard Heating & Air Conditioning, a Keystone member since 2004, will receive the small company award for its longstanding and varied community contributions, which include collaborating with Rebuilding Together to improve the lives of low-income homeowners, supporting the Fourth Avenue North Playground, and organizing a community Paint-A-Thon.  Standard Heating & Air Conditioning is committed to making a positive impact that will affect future generations.

Minneapolis public relations firm Weber Shandwick, a Keystone member since 1987, is the 2011 Minnesota Keystone winner in the medium company category (76-499 employees). “It’s important for us to do things on a local level that connect us to the local community,” said Sara Gavin, President of Weber Shandwick Minneapolis. Employees of Weber Shandwick give back to the community via three programs:  Weber Shandwick on Loan, which encourages employees to donate their time and helping hands to local nonprofits; the Telling Your Story workshop, where volunteers help about 50 nonprofits each year learn the best ways to reach their target markets; and the Weber Shandwick pro bono program, which annually selects one or more nonprofits to receive strategic public relations counsel and support. Recent pro bono clients include People Serving People and Admission Possible.

Mortenson Construction is the 2011 honored company in the large company category (500+ employees). A Keystone member since 1985, Mortenson engages and enables its employees to give back by supporting organizations that align with their personal interests.  Hearts and Hammers, MS 150, Greater Twin Cities United Way, Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, Urban Farming and AccessAbilty are just a handful of the more than fifty local and national organizations that Mortenson supports.   Alice Mortenson, director of community relations, sums up the Mortenson philosophy. “Being a part of this community means working, living and giving here.  We’ve been blessed to have the capacity to give our time, talent and dollars.”

“The three honored companies are stellar examples of the nearly 200 Minnesota Keystone members,” said Todd Klingel, President and CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Each of these companies makes a huge difference in its own community every day. Minnesota Keystone celebrates this generosity.”

About Minnesota Keystone

The Minnesota Keystone Program promotes, supports and recognizes the contributions Minnesota companies make each year to their communities. Since its inception in 1976, the program has worked to recognize companies that enhance the quality of life in Minnesota by giving back at least two percent of pre-tax net earnings. Qualifying contributions include cash, in-kind donations, employee volunteerism and giving programs. The Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce administers the program.

BlueCross and BlueShield of Minnesota, The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, RBC Wealth Management, Target and Wells Fargo are ongoing sponsors of the Minnesota Keystone Program. For more information about the Minnesota Keystone Program, or to purchase tickets to the awards luncheon, call 612.370.9100 or visit minneapolischamber.org.