20 companies finalists as 'Distinguished Business'

Twenty northern Nevada companies are

finalists for the Governor's Industry

Appreciation "Distinguished Business of the

Year" Awards. Companies are recognized in

four categories: community support,workforce/

education, innovation and start-up.

Finalists in the community support category

are: Harrah's Reno,McDonald Carano

Wilson LLP, NAI Alliance, Niotan Inc., and the

Reno Gazette-Journal.

Finalists in the workforce/education category

are: Henry Schein Inc.,Microsoft

Licensing GP,Niotan Inc. SilverSky Group LLC,

and the University of Phoenix.

Finalists in the innovation category are:

Applied Business Solutions LLC,Niotan Inc.,

Ormat Technologies, Reno Gazette-Journal,

and Tri-Property Resort.

Finalists in the start-up category are:

Hug Your Kids LLC, Image Base International,

Northern Nevada Association of Professional

Veterans, Schneider Logistics Inc. and Viega

LLC.

Companies that are new to the region will

also be recognized. They include AIG

SunAmerica Affordable Housing Partners,

Image Base International, Live Out Loud,

Mariah Power Inc., PPG Industries Inc.,

Schneider Logistics Inc., Thybar Corporation

and Viega North America.

Honoree companies that have expanded

this past year are: Charles River Laboratories

Inc., Communications Installation Service,

Enel North America, Gems TV,Henry Schein,

Kuehne + Nagel, Microsoft Licensing GP,

Mitel,Newmont Mining Corporation -

Phoenix Mine,Niotan Inc., OptiComp

Corporation, Ormat Technologies, Pacific

Coast Flange Inc., PetSmart distribution center,

The Penta Building Group, Trex Company,

U.S. Ordnance Inc., and Universal

Analyzers/Barben Analyzer Technology LLC. The Governor's Industry Appreciation

Awards is co-sponsored by the Economic

Development Authority of Western Nevada

Northern Nevada Development Authority in

cooperation with the Nevada Commission on

Economic Development.

Winners will be announced at the 24th

Annual Governor's Industry Appreciation

Awards from 5:30-9 p.m.Nov. 6 at John

Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks. Tickets are $130

per person or $1,200 for a table of 10.Visit

giaa2008.com to purchase tickets. For information

call Sarah Woodman at 829-3712 or

Judi Bishop at 883-4413.