Chamber recognizes firms for excellence

One of Reno's biggest companies and one of its small businesses say that excellent performance almost entirely reflects excellent employees.

The Atlantis Casino Resort was honored by the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce last week for excellence in customer service.

FastSigns, meanwhile, was honored for retail excellence during the chamber's annual Salute to Business event.

John Farahi, general manager of The Atlantis, gave credit to employees for his company's excellence in customer service.

"The Atlantis team works very hard to listen and respond to the requests of our guests each and every day," he said.

"It's fulfilling to see them recognized for their hard work."

Farahi said that the company has made customer service its priority ever since it was founded in 1972 as the 142- room Golden Road Motel.

FastSigns, a sign and graphics center in Reno's Costco shopping center, was honored for its service and the quality of its work.

Maurice Dussaq, owner of the store since it opened in 1990, also credited his employees.

"Our key to excellence is a great team of people that all take pride and ownership in producing the best for our customers, and I'm delighted that the team is receiving this recognition ," he said.

The store is managed by Nick Steuer.

Other awards during the Spotlight on Business event included: *Gaming excellence: Sierra Design Group.

* Non-profit excellence: Hot August Nights.

* Up With Downtown Reno: Saint Mary's Health Network.

* Up with Downtown Sparks: Sparks Farmers' Market.

Members of the chamber of commerce nominate companies to receive the awards.

The selections are made by the group's board of directors.

The Small Business Administration, meanwhile, honored two organizations for their assistance to small companies in the region.

The Nevada State Development Corp., the largest SBA lender in the state, received the SBA's Economic Independence Award.

The U.S.

Government Services Administration Office of Enterprise Development was honored with the SBA's Freedom Award.

The GSA program seeks to increase opportunities for small businesses to sell to the federal government.