In a grand affair held at The Governor Hotel in Portland on June 15, 2011, DePaul Industries won the Oregon Ethics in Business Award. The award honors organizations and individuals who have demonstrated ethical business practice in its broadest interpretation: in the workplace, the marketplace, the environment, and the community. The recipients of these awards have, by act and example, gone beyond the expected to achieve excellence in ethical business practices. Our CEO, Dave Shaffer, accepted the award on behalf of the DePaul team.
DePaul Industries is a not-for-profit which provides people with disabilities the opportunity to work. The 2011 Oregon Ethics in Business Awards were led by a keynote speech by Dave Frohnmayer – past President of the University of Oregon, Dean of the University for the Oregon School of Law and Attorney General of Oregon. DePaul was honored for contributions to business excellence and the highest standards of ethical conduct, integrity, and civic and social responsibility.
DePaul Industries is celebrating its 40th year as a Portland-based not-for-profit organization. Its primary mission is to provide people with disabilities the opportunity to work. The organization employs people with a variety of disabilities, including injury and illness-related disabilities that preclude gainful employment in traditional settings. More than 50% of DePaul-trained employees find comparable work in “traditional” organizations after six months. Dave Shaffer helms this not-for-profit organization that is recognized for its entrepreneurial bent in the marketplace while achieving high marks for ethics. Mr. Shaffer’s focus is on advancing the platform of social entrepreneurialism. Recognition of DePaul’s ethical approach and adding the company to this echelon of Oregon Ethics in Business honorees makes the effort all the more significant and gratifying.
“It was thrilling to be there and to have our team recognized at such a level,” says Dave. “An ethical approach blended with a social mission is embedded deep into our DNA. Transparency is the key to our ethics and one of our basic tenets. It’s an essential ingredient – as we’re on an important and exciting dual mission.” Dave added: “We serve customer & market needs while we help a growing employee base live the best lives they can. That’s a powerful and rewarding business to be in.”
“We are so honored to have won the Oregon Ethics in Business Award. It demonstrates that we got the entrepreneurial mix right, and that we’ve got our heads on straight. This is an important reinforcement for us and we are most grateful to receive this recognition,” says DePaul CEO Dave Shaffer.
