At the 17^th Annual OMNIKAL National Business Summit at The Harvard Club in New York City on May 18, 2017, State and Federal Communications, Inc., and its President and CEO, Elizabeth Z. Bartz, were honored with a key diversity award as a Top 100 Women-Owned Business in Ohio, and are the only business in Akron, Ohio named to the list.

Each year OMNIKAL (formerly DiversityBusiness.com) collects and compiles data that results in the “Top Businesses Lists” on a state and national level. More than 2 million businesses in the United States have the opportunity to participate in the annual OMNIKAL business survey. OMNIKAL selects winning companies after reviewing each entrant’s business profile, website, and gross annual sales.

State and Federal Communications has won an “America’s Top Business” award every year since 2008.

According to OMNIKAL CEO and Founder Kenton Clarke, “These top privately-held companies are all distinguished by their progressive cultures and dynamic strategies.”

Mr. Clarke explains that OMNIKAL’s “Top American Businesses Lists” offer the most comprehensive look at the strongest and largest segment of the United States economy – America’s privately held companies. These middle market companies are recognized and respected, having truly differentiated themselves in our ever-evolving inclusive marketplace.

Ms. Bartz adds, “Being ranked highly with other leading companies across America is an achievement we are all proud of at State and Federal Communications. It shows our ongoing commitment to deliver quality government compliance information and consulting services to many companies, associations, and corporate and contract lobbyists. This award is an honor for our employees, clients, and the community where we live and work.”

Pictured are State and Federal Communications President and CEO, Elizabeth Z. Bartz; OMNIKAL CEO and Founder, Kenton Clarke; and Pinnacle Group Chairman and CEO, Nina Vaca

Founded in 1993, State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides government compliance information and consulting to Fortune 500 companies; trade, labor, and professional associations; and corporate and contract lobbyists in all 50 states. The firm’s in-house staff of attorneys is expert in state, federal, and municipal laws regarding lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying. The company distributes accurate, comprehensive, and timely information which its clients rely on to maintain compliance with laws in all 50 states, the federal government, Canada, and almost 300 municipalities. For more information, visit StateandFed.com or Contact Us to learn more.

For the sixth time, State and Federal Communications, Inc., under the leadership of President and CEO Elizabeth Z. Bartz, has been selected as one of the top women-owned businesses in Ohio, and is the only company recognized from Summit County.

The “Top Businesses in America” program award from DiversityBusiness.com, a web-based publisher and business site, selected the Akron company due to its overall leadership and economic achievements, ranking it in the top 50 of women-owned businesses in Ohio in 2014.

This is a considerable accomplishment given the current business climate in Ohio. The state currently ranks 48th in the country in combined economic clout for women-owned companies – a measurement averaging the rankings in growth in number according to the fourth annual State of Women-Owned Businesses report, sponsored by American Express OPEN.

Bartz recognizes the trend and sees this award as an opportunity. “As a successful small business owner and a woman, I believe it is important to be an example to other women, to demonstrate to the community what women can achieve and the impact we can have.”

Bartz says hard work in both business and community, is how rising above the trend is possible. She has witnessed disparity firsthand throughout her professional career, and uses these experiences as a motivator to grow not only her company and mentor her staff, but to also mentor other women in the community.

Bartz believes the best advice she can give to other women is to encourage them to take on leadership roles and immerse themselves in the community. United Way of Summit County, Go Red for Women, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve, Susan G. Komen – Race for a Cure, the WKSU/Kent State University Foundation, and the Akron Urban League’s Speakers Series Platinum sponsorship only begin to chronicle the array of local organizations Bartz and her company support. She serves in a leadership role on multiple local and national boards, including Kent State University’s National Alumni Association Board, the State Government Affairs Council (SGAC), National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Foundation, Council of State Governments (CSG) Associations, Public Affairs Council, and the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL).

“Keep growing and keep leading. This is how we create a counter-trend in Ohio,” said Bartz, who also encourages her staff to get involved. “Last year we celebrated our 20th anniversary, launched a new website, and increased our staff by nine percent. My staff gets all the credit for our achievements, but their dedication to the company is surpassed by their dedication to the community.”

This month, State and Federal Communications was also presented with an award for the highest per employee corporate giving for companies with less than 50 employees from the United Way of Summit County. Bartz believes the demonstration of their core values sets the company apart from other similar small businesses and are the ingredients needed to shift the direction Ohio is heading with diversity in the workplace.

The “Top Businesses in America” program is sponsored by major brands, including Apple, AT&T, Wal-Mart, Coca-Cola, Office Depot, Toyota, Cisco, and Verizon. The program offers one of the nation’s most coveted awards. More than 3,000 award recipients have been honored since the program’s inception. Bartz and the company also won the award in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012.

With the leadership of President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz, State and Federal Communications, Inc. was selected as one of the top women-owned businesses in Ohio. This is the fourth year the company has received this honor.

The award from the web-based publisher and business site, DiversityBusiness.com selected the company for its overall leadership and economic achievements, ranking 49^th of 100 Women-owned businesses in Ohio in 2011.

Bartz and the company also won the award in 2007, 2009, and 2010.

“This is a testament to the hard work of our 30 employees and their willingness to adapt to change and meet the challenges of a competitive marketplace,” said Bartz. “I am very happy we are recognized by Diversity.Business.com.”

Congratulations to Elizabeth Bartz and to everyone at State and Federal Communications!

Recently DiversityBusiness.com held its 11th Annual National Multicultural Business Conference at the Gaylord National outside of Washington, DC.  Their conference proclamation was “American business has arrived at the next step in its evolution – the era of global diversity.”

Diversity has included the following: 1] businesses owned by people of color; 2] by women; and 3] by the disabled.  But, in 2011 this organization wants you to know that it includes innovative ideas, varied products, greater quality, greater efficiency, and lower costs.  Additionally, it includes a multicultural platform in markets, products, services, and experience.

State and Federal Communications, Inc. and Elizabeth Z. Bartz, President and CEO has been chosen to receive a DiversityBusiness.com award for its success in business in Ohio.

The conference host presenting the awards was Joan Lunden.  Her keynote speech titled “10 ways to Reinvent Yourself” is featured in our May 2011 Compliance Now newsletter.