Phil Long Dealerships has been recognized as a multi-year winner in the Best in Business awards, continuing its long-standing presence in Colorado Springs since 1945. Kevin Shaughnessy, president and CEO of Phil Long Dealerships, attributed the company’s enduring success to its founder. “We are a team of driven individuals committed to taking care of our employees, our customers and our communities through service, hard work and high integrity,” he said. “Our primary strengths are our culture and brand. Phil Long Dealerships was started by Phil Long himself, a WWII Naval Aviator and war hero.”
Shaughnessy highlighted the dealership’s approach to sales and community involvement: “We are so proud of our employees for making us known throughout Colorado and the nation as a respected brand that is not merely a good dealership, but an organization that is philanthropic at its heart.”
Other auto dealers recognized include Heuberger Subaru with silver honors and Lexus of Colorado Springs receiving bronze.
In the business on-site fitness center category, Phil Long Dealerships also received top recognition. Lifetime took silver while Elevation Fitness earned bronze.
For catering services, Cravings / Picnic Basket Catering Collective was named best caterer for serving Colorado Springs and the Front Range since 1989. The company offers custom menus for events ranging from weddings to small dinner parties.
Salt of the Earth Catering was awarded silver, while Graze Craze received bronze.
The Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce & EDC was selected as the leading chamber of commerce in the region. The Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce took silver; Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce – Economic Development Center & Visitor Center earned bronze.
UCHealth was named top healthcare facility in recognition of its nonprofit health system providing advanced treatments across several states. UCHealth employs about 35,000 people at 14 acute-care hospitals throughout Colorado, Wyoming, and western Nebraska.
Common Spirit – Penrose secured silver status; Peak Vista Community Health Centers achieved bronze.
Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer was acknowledged as local CEO/head of business following her appointment as President & CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC in 2022. Under her leadership, more than 5,000 jobs have been created through economic development projects totaling over $1.8 billion in capital investment. She previously held executive roles at organizations such as REDI Cincinnati and Duke Energy.
Kevin Shaughnessy from Phil Long Dealerships received silver honors; Camille Blakely from AdPro Results took bronze.
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) continues to serve as a unifying body for more than 40 sports associations featured in both Summer and Winter Olympic Games since relocating its headquarters to downtown Colorado Springs in 2010 after initially moving from New York City in 1978.
Colorado Springs Sports Corp earned silver; Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association received bronze among national sports associations.
The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo was named best nonprofit event—a tradition dating back to 1937—highlighting rodeo talent while supporting community entertainment needs. After various relocations over decades—including time spent indoors—the event now takes place outdoors at Norris Penrose Equestrian Center following significant renovations.
Silver went to the Annual Business Snapshot hosted by Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC; St. Jude Dream Home claimed bronze.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo won top honors among nonprofit organizations for its conservation efforts on a unique mountainside setting housing diverse animal species at elevation above 6,700 feet near Colorado Springs.
YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region earned silver; National Mill Dog Rescue received bronze recognition among nonprofits.
ADD STAFF INC., founded locally in 1984 to serve businesses’ staffing needs across administrative roles and beyond, led staffing firms this year based on their long-term partnerships with clients seeking HR solutions tailored specifically to organizational cultures and missions—placing over fifty thousand employees so far according to company information.
Financial Talent Group came second; Goodwill Staffing rounded out winners with third place.
