CenterBeam was also named a finalist in the category "Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program."

Today, CenterBeam, Inc. announced CEO Kevin Francis has been recognized as Best Turnaround Executive by the 2006 International Business Awards. Described by the media as "the business world's Oscars" also known as the "Stevie Awards" recipients of 82 International Stevie Award trophies were selected from more than 700 nominations received from companies and individuals in more than 30 countries.

"I am honored to be recognized by an organization with the credibility and track record of the International Business Awards," states CenterBeam CEO Kevin Francis.  "Certainly, we have a wide range of measures in place internally to track our progress, and are very pleased with the advancements we've made in the last four years. To have proven business leaders evaluate this performance and honor it with this distinguished international award is a credit to all in our organization who have worked so hard."

With over 30 years of deep operational and sales experience, Francis has led investments in key areas of the business to drive change. "Kevin's leadership has led to the implementation of a total quality process throughout the company, resulting in customer satisfaction ratings of 95% for three years running," said Abe Ostrovsky, CenterBeam chairman of the board. "He developed CenterBeam's operations in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada to serve CenterBeam's quickly growing roster of customers. And Francis revolutionized the industry-standard multi-year outsourcing contract to one simple, month-to-month agreement and total satisfaction guarantee resulting in the doubling of company revenues in each of the last three years. This turnaround is clearly a Silicon Valley success story."

Francis was also acknowledged in 2005 by receiving the prestigious Industry Person of the Year award – New Brunswick, Canada’s highest IT honor.  

“The growth in entries this year illustrates the increasing importance of The International Business Awards worldwide,” said Michael Gallagher, president of The Stevie Awards, presenters of the IBAs.  “We congratulate all of the Finalists and International Stevie Awards winners, and we look forward to honoring them for their achievements at our gala awards dinner in New York on June 26.”   

CenterBeam was also named a finalist in the category "Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program."

CenterBeam Earns Attention of Industry Opinion Leaders

CenterBeam’s success continues to attract the attention of important opinion makers such as leading IT industry analyst Gartner. Gartner has published a case study on the CenterBeam service and cited CenterBeam’s innovative approach when the firm named CenterBeam one of the “Cool Vendors” in IT management. A book by Cisco Press, The Business Case for Virtual Business Processes, includes a case study of CenterBeam as an example of how companies can use IT outsourcing to reduce costs, improve efficiencies, and focus on their core business. Most recently, the prestigious KIRA award was presented to CenterBeam for its achievement and Kevin Francis for his industry leadership. And Microsoft awarded CenterBeam its “Winning On Value” award recognizing CenterBeam’s outstanding sales growth and superior customer satisfaction.

About The Stevie Awards

The Stevie Awards were created to honor and generate public recognition of the efforts, accomplishments, and positive contributions of companies and business people worldwide. With a mission to raise the profile of exemplary companies and individuals, the International Business Awards are the only global, all-encompassing business awards program honoring great performances in the workplace.  

Hailed as “the business world’s own Oscars” by the New York Post (April 27, 2005), Stevie Awards are conferred in three programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, and The Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs. Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about The Stevie Awards at www.stevieawards.com.

Nicknamed the Stevie for the Greek word “crowned,” the awards will be presented to winners at a gala dinner on Monday, June 26 in the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. The ceremonies will be videocast live worldwide by HB Group, and will be broadcast live on radio in the U.S.A. by the Business TalkRadio Network.