September 12, 2016


KOLAR DESIGN IS A GOERING CENTER PRIVATE BUSINESS AWARD FINALIST

Kolar Design is proud to be recognized as one of the Cincinnati Region’s Most Distinguished Private Businesses, being named a finalist for the 17th Annual 2016 Goering Center Family & Private Business Awards.

Cincinnati, Ohio, September 20, 2016 – Kolar Design is the recipient of the 2016 Goering Center Family & Private Business Finalist Award for Private Businesses with fewer than 25 employees. This annual honor is bestowed upon only two companies and exemplifies what family and private business is and can be.

Kolar Design, founded by Kelly Kolar in 1990, is passionate about finding new and better ways to connect people, places and brands – from healing environments focused on the patient and family experience to global workplaces that blend corporate and cultural identity. The firm of 17 has always used current employees as the best recruiting tool for the company and has proven that Kolar University is their “secret sauce” for attracting and retaining top-notch talent and emerging leaders. 

Kelly Kolar, president, and founder said, “We are so grateful for everything UC has fostered in our firm, from our early education days to where we are today, working globally at the intersection of people and place. The Goering center continues to be our “go to” source for inspiration and collaboration. We want to thank the Center for this award and the business community that has supported our growth.” 

This annual recognition program, in its 17th year, honors Cincinnati regional businesses that exemplify the best in family and private business practices. This year, 570 businesses were nominated for these awards. Kolar Design was evaluated by an independent panel of judges who evaluated hiring and employment practices, specifically as to whether those practices have helped Kolar Design unify a multigenerational workforce.

After being named one of only 75 semi-finalists, Kolar Design was then selected as a Finalist for Private Businesses with fewer than 25 employees. IntrustIT was also honored as a Finalist by the Goering Center in this category. Vehr Communications was recognized as the winner of the Private Business Award category with fewer than 25 employees. Also, the Drees Company was named to the Goering Center Hall of Fame and Pam Beigh, president and founder of SalesCORE, was titled the 2016 Keith Baldwin Volunteer Award Winner for her dedication and service to the Goering Center.  

Kolar Design is one of an estimated 4,500 family and private businesses in the Cincinnati region; the Goering Center has 330 of these businesses as active members with a goal of 400 members by the end of 2018.  Membership is not a prerequisite for the awards or nomination, as nearly half of the semi-finalists are not current Goering Center members.

About the Goering Center for Family & Private Business – Goering.UC.edu Established in 1989, the Goering Center for Family & Private Business serves nearly 400 members, making it the country’s largest university-based educational non-profit for family and private businesses. The Center’s mission is to nurture and educate family and private businesses to drive a vibrant economy. Affiliation with the University of Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, provides access to a vast resource of business programming and expertise.  Goering Center members receive real-world insights that enlighten, strengthen and prolong family and private business success.  For more information on the Center, participation and membership visit Goering.UC.edu.