Willmeng Construction was a finalist in the Social Impact category at the 20th Annual Spirit of Enterprise Awards, Arizona’s premier celebration of entrepreneurship. Of the 12 finalists, Willmeng was one of only two Valley construction businesses to qualify.
The Spirit of Enterprise Awards, hosted by the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, recognize on a select basis, local businesses who have helped catapult Arizona to job creation and development, all while exhibiting “ethics, energy and excellence in entrepreneurship.” The Social Impact Award distinguishes an organization that demonstrates a significant impact on the community.
After a rigorous application process that included a video submission and interviews, 13 judges selected two finalists for each of the six award categories from a list of close to 150 nominee companies.
What does being a finalist mean to the team? “It is a positive reminder that our model truly is uniquely ours in the construction industry, and we are making a difference in the community. We don’t go above and beyond for recognition sake, there is a bigger picture,” said James Murphy, Willmeng president. “Given that more than 30 percent of our team are Arizona State University alumni, and specifically the Del E. Webb School of Construction (DEWSC), it was an honor to be recognized by the W.P. Carey School of Business.
“The entrepreneurial side of the construction industry is alive and well, and we are proud to represent the DEWSC accordingly.”
Recognized specifically for their pledge to support the community, Willmeng has had the honor of working with and volunteering for several nonprofits throughout the Valley including the Andre House, the Fighter Country Partnership, the Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley, Feed My Starving Children, Junior Achievement, the Junior Olympics, NAIOP Charities, UMOM, United Food Bank and the YMCA, among many others.
Reflecting on the company’s philanthropic goals for 2017, Murphy stated: “Simply put, our goal is to consistently do more than our share, across the board. We are committed to putting extra effort into our support of the East Valley Boys and Girls Club. We see a need for support and will do all that we can to impact our community accordingly.
