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Outstanding Local Businesses

Outstanding Local Business Award Recipients for December 2021

December’s list contains nine outstanding local businesses who are being recognized for their contribution to their customers, clients, and the local community.

By: Sylvia Slezak | Dec 2021

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Services provided by these businesses include auto wrecking and towing, family law, estate planning, appliance repairs, HVAC, heating and air conditioning, surfing and watersport lessons, sailing charters, boat tours and cruises, waterfront dining, floating tiki bar, boutique gift shop, private event room rentals, protective security, criminal defense legal representation, plumbing, drain cleaning, retreat and conference facilities.

Arrow Wrecker - Oklahoma City, OK

With a single wrecker, a small Texaco gas station, and a handful of employees, Al Muzny started his company in 1962. He worked hard to forge strong bonds with customers through mutual respect, and consistently exceeding their expectations. In 1969, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission issued its first tow truck license to Al Muzny: Certificate No. 0001 and twenty years later, the company was awarded a contract with the City of Oklahoma City for towing operations in the Northwest quadrant. With an expanded yard, Arrow Wrecker can accommodate more cars than any other towing company in the area. After five decades of quality customer service, reasonable prices, and prompt pickup and delivery of towed vehicles, the company continues to grow.

With 30+ tow trucks and 40+ employees, Arrow Wrecker offers a complete line of towing solutions for individuals, large commercial accounts, the City of Oklahoma City, the State of Oklahoma, and the Federal Government. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, their services include: full service towing (conventional and flatbed), certified heavy-duty towing (20-ton, 30-ton, and 50-ton units w/24-hour radio dispatch, certified heavy-duty operators, forklift hauling, on-site dock for load shifts, local/long distance towing/recovery, landoll hauling), specialty vehicle hauling (high-end, antique, collectible, special features requiring specific handling), roadside assistance (fuel delivery, tire change, vehicle unlocking, jump starting vehicle, towing out of parking garage, pulling vehicle out of ditch or snow bank).

In addition, Arrow Wrecker values community involvement and has helped the Oklahoma Highway Patrol cadets learn about wreckers, and participated in the Students Against Drunk Driving (S.A.D.D.) program. The company has also received numerous awards for the American Towman Ace Award (putting them in the top 1% of towing operations for service, reliability, and professionalism), and Oklahoma Safety Council awards, the DAS Outstanding Service Certificate, and commendations from the Oklahoma Trucking Association.

Bedlam Law - Yukon, OK

The attorneys at Bedlam Law have been serving the people of Oklahoma since 1990 with tough and effective legal representation, focusing on two key areas of law: Family Law (divorce, paternity, child custody, motions to modify, etc.), and Estate Planning (trusts, wills, guardianships, probate, etc.). The office provides a “team” approach, which is unique to its clients. They begin by evaluating the issues, formulating a “plan” and then implementing the approach.

John A. Alberts has been an attorney for more than a quarter of a century. The majority of that time has been spent in private practice in the Oklahoma City area. Attorney Alberts currently serves on the Yukon City Council, where he has served several terms as Mayor. Meeting and helping people has always been a strong passion of his. With the support of his family, Attorney Alberts has been able to serve Yukon for more than fifteen years.

David Patrick Henry has been a practicing lawyer in Family Law, Criminal Law, and Civil Litigation for over 35 years.
Attorney Henry has always been in private practice representing individuals and small business owners in both state and federal courthouses throughout Oklahoma. Being in the courtroom is his best attribute and favorite work-day activity.

Groom’s Appliance Repair, Heating, and Cooling - Lees Summit, MO

Family owned and operated since 1986, Groom’s Appliance Repair, Heating, and Cooling proudly serves Kansas City. The company has been servicing the heating, cooling, and appliance repair needs of individuals and businesses for generations. A small and customer-focused business, Groom’s only hires technicians with both HVAC and appliance experience. Their service technicians attend the latest product training schools to learn about new products being offered and any service concerns of existing products. Groom’s is also an American Standard and Ruud Authorized Dealer, in addition to being one of the top suppliers in The Greater Kansas City Metro Area.

With ten years of repair experience and education, Mark and Kelli Groom established Groom's Appliance Repair, Heating, and Cooling in the spring of 1986. Having earned the loyalty and trust of local customers, they expanded services beyond the borders of Lee's Summit. Groom's current service area includes Jackson and Cass Counties in Missouri and Johnson County in Kansas. Today Mark and Kelli's legacy lives on through their children, their son Chad, managing the day-to-day business operations of the company, and their daughter, Alana, in the office scheduling services and answering questions. Even after an accident claimed the lives of Mark and Kelli, Chad and Alana continue to honor their parents' legacy by continuously searching for new ways to enhance the lives of their valued customers.

Hans Hedemann Surf, Inc. - Honolulu, HI

Launched in 1997, Hans Hedemann Surf School has become the premier surfing school in Hawaii with locations in Waikiki and the North Shore of Oahu. A team of lifeguard and CPR trained instructors and safety guides provides a great adventure for the beginner, intermediate, and advanced surfer. Hans Hedemann has options for watersport enthusiasts of all kinds, whether it be learning to surf, bodyboard, SUP or canoe, or rent some equipment. Choose from their locations in Waikiki and North Shore, or see all of their ocean activities: Waikiki (surf lessons, SUP lessons, bodyboard lessons, canoe tours), and North Shore (private and group surf lessons, private and group Stand-Up Paddling lessons).

Born and raised in the Hawaiian Islands, Hans Hedemann had a natural talent for surfing. Immediately after high school, Hans joined the ASP World Tours (Association of Surfing Professionals) and was a Hawaii representative for the World Tour. As a professional surfer, he has won many distinguished competitions, including placing first in Billabong Pro (Australia), Gunston 500 (South Africa) and being the first to win back-to-back ASP World Events.

Harrison's Landing - Corpus Christi, TX

A family-owned and -operated business, Harrison's Landing is more than just a restaurant and bar. It’s a place in Corpus Christi where you can sail, shop and dine all in the same shaded waterfront location. It’s a place with a variety of activities for locals and visitors alike, including Tavern on the Bay with a floating tiki bar, Cathy's Boutique and Gifts, and the Yachting Center. Some of their main attractions include beer school and appetizer pairings, wine dinners, full moon cruises with live music, captained sailing charters, private room rentals (baby showers, rehearsal dinners, meetings), waterfront meeting rentals in the private Marina Room, sailing and dinner cruises, and Corpus Christi Bay tours.

A fifty-foot open touring boat was purchased in 2010 to offer one-hour tours, and was named Japonica, after a touring boat that operated from Pleasure Pier in the early 1930s before the seawall and the T-Heads were built in the City Marina. Japonica is a favorite tourist attraction with its BYOB cruises, dolphin sightings, and a water view of the Bayfront, Harbor Bridge, Texas State Aquarium and USS Lexington. All ages enjoy a ride aboard Japonica, especially the sunset tours. The thirty-eight-foot sailing yacht, Nell Betty II, is available for captain charters from two to eight hours, overnight charters, public or private cruises (maximum of six passengers).

Cathy, Hank and Hannah Harrison are the owners of Harrison’s Landing. Bill, Hank and Hannah are 13th generation direct descendants of the Harrisons of Berkeley Plantation. Their father, W.O. “Bill” Harrison, was a 12th generation descendant. He was proud of his heritage, and he loved Corpus Christi and all that he knew it could become.

International Protective Service, Inc. (IPS) - Albuquerque, NM

Founded by Aaron T. Jones in 2006, International Protective Service, Inc. has become one of the leading private security firms in the greater Southwest region. Based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the company provides 24/7 protection, armed security, commercial/residential protection, investigation, monitoring, video surveillance and access control, technology protection and management, training and development services delivered by highly trained and experienced security professionals in the industry. Office locations are in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Scottsdale, Arizona. Service areas currently include Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and California. The company has expanded into many different states and plans are in the works to expand internationally.

A native of New Mexico, Aaron T. Jones, President-CEO of IPS, began his security and law enforcement career in the Los Angeles-Beverly Hills area in the early 1990s. He quickly worked his way into the security industry working for John Carden, a retired Beverly Hills PD Sergeant, and later was honored with the task to direct protection detail for foreign royalty from Saudi Arabia and South Korea as well as various celebrities, dignitaries and corporate executives.

Mr. Jones later attended the police academy and became a City of Los Angeles police officer. In the late 90s, he returned to New Mexico and became a Deputy Sheriff, serving eight years. Detective Jones transitioned his Police career working Homicide and Violent Crimes to establishing the most elite security and investigations firm in the southwestern United States. Mr. Jones later formed a partnership with longtime friend, Dr. Barry Brooks and IPS Director of Operations, Mario Romero to form International Protective Service Training Academy. The goal at IPSTA is to successfully train agents and protective detail from all over the world to become the very best in the business.

Law Office of Matthew A. Martin, P.C. - Denver, CO

Denver’s criminal defense attorney, Matthew A. Martin focuses exclusively on criminal law matters. He devotes one hundred percent of his time to helping the accused fight off their criminal charges and has the track record to prove it. Attorney Martin represents clients throughout the state of Colorado, including the city of Denver and the surrounding areas in the Front Range region. After an impressive legal journey with accolades and milestone accomplishments, Attorney Martin opened his own practice in Denver in 2008. He uses his thirteen years of experience as a prosecutor to help defend his clients. Having tried over 150 jury trials, Attorney Martin not only knows the arguments the district attorneys will make, and what jurors are best for his client’s case and worst for the DA, knows what to argue to the jury. Having practiced in the metro Denver area for more than eighteen years, he has a great relationship with the judges and district attorneys.

Practice areas include: DUI (DWAI, felony DUI, first DUI, second DUI, third DUI, UDD, DUI refusal), drug crimes (possession of a controlled substance, drug distribution and sale, drug manufacturing, possession of drug paraphernalia), white collar crimes (fraud, credit card abuse, identity theft, forgery), violent crimes (assault, menacing, robbery, aggravated robbery, vehicular assault, vehicular manslaughter, felonious assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, manslaughter/murder), theft (petty/misdemeanor theft, grand theft, burglary, auto theft), property crimes (criminal trespass, defacing property, criminal mischief), traffic crimes (driving under restraint, leaving the scene, habitual traffic offenders), weapons charges (illegal possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon), sex crimes (sexual assault, child sexual assault, child pornography, indecent exposure, failure to register as a sex offender), juvenile defense, cyber crimes (internet sex crimes).

Roto-Rooter® Plumbers - Wichita, KS

When it comes to plumbing, Roto-Rooter® Plumbers are there to solve plumbing problems -- not to push the purchase of unnecessary products or services. With the right tools and know-how to get your problem solved, they offer solutions to simple clogs, full system replacements, and everything in-between. Serving the Greater Wichita Area since 1936, Roto-Rooter® Plumbing and Drain Service services all of Sedgwick, Sumner, Butler, and Harvey counties in Kansas. Services provided, but not limited to are: sewers and drains razor cleaned, high pressure water jetting, video camera line inspection, bio drain treatment, plumbing repairs, hot water tanks, repiping/water services, trenchless sewer replacement, and professional advice.

The history of the Wichita Roto-Rooter® is fascinating. Back in 1933 Samuel Blanc created a funny looking sewer-cleaning machine that used a combination of special blades or “knives” to cut tree roots out of sewer lines without having to dig up the lawn. A year later, Sam’s wife, Littie, christened the prototype, the “Roto-Rooter®.” During the depression-scarred mid-30s, Cary R. Alexander (one of the original five entrepreneurs) purchased a Roto-Rooter® for $250 and moved to Whichita, Kansas to start his business in 1936. Eleven years later, in 1947 a couple, Paul and Wanda Farmer, purchased a jeep ditch digger and started a ditch digging business under the name of Farmer, Harter, & Farmer. Mr. Alexander began subcontracting all his digging work to Paul and Wanda’s company, and being impressed with the couple’s strong work ethics and values, the two families became close friends. Out of Paul and Wanda’s eight children, the youngest, Rita, happened to share a birthday with Mr. Alexander. Cary Alexander decided to retire in 1960 and offered to sell his Roto-Rooter® franchise to Paul and Wanda Farmer.

By 1964, Paul and Wanda had grown the drain cleaning business to such an extent that they phased out ditch-digging altogether. Always on the forefront of technology, the Farmers computerized their scheduling, dispatching, invoicing, and filing systems in 1989, including all of the information dating back to 1936. Sadly, the business suffered a great loss in 1992 with the passing of Paul Farmer Sr, and left his wife, Wanda, capably running the business with the same values and practices. In 1933, the Roto-Rooter® corporate office decided to have all franchise branches offer plumbing services as well as drain cleaning. Without being in direct competition with Philip, one of Paul and Wanda’s children who started his own plumbing company, Wanda joined the two companies where Philip ran the plumbing division within Roto-Rooter®. Today, Paul and Wanda’s youngest, Ms. Rita Campbell is the Chief Executive Officer of Whichita Roto-Rooter® and continues to offer the best in the business.

Synergia Ranch, LLC - Santa Fe, NM

A center for innovation, conferences, retreats in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Synergia Ranch is a private ranch managed as a center for innovation and retreats since 1969. Its convenient location, reasonable pricing, charming setting, friendly staff, and a variety of facilities make Synergia Ranch the perfect location for a seminar, workshop, gathering, business retreat or conference. The ranch is set on 111 acres of high desert prairie, dotted with pinon and juniper trees and is only thirty minutes from the center of historic Santa Fe and forty-five minutes from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Full of character, integrity, and charm, meeting spaces include the Geodesic Dome (50’ diameter and 28’ high structure equipped with radiant heating, electric hook ups, and natural lighting), the Dolphin Dance Studio (a 1600+ square foot of movement or meditation space with wood flooring, optional mirrors, and heating), and the Sun Space Yurt (an ingenious structure used by Central Asian Nomads for centuries, evokes a sense of ancient serenity and provides space for talks, ceremonies, and yoga classes).

Where traditional New Mexico meets conscious construction, staying at Synergia Ranch is both cozy and invigorating where space was created for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Santa Fe Adobe-style accommodations include eighteen classic Adobe bedrooms, dormitories, and four acres of overflow camping. Fresh, organic, seasonal food grown from their own local Synergia Farm is included in each event package. Synergia Ranch provides the environment that supports creative individuals in the fields of ecology, biospherics, engineering, architecture, wastewater gardens, sustainable forestry, orchardry, book publishing, cuisine, fine arts, healing-arts, theater, writing, painting and poetry.


CityOf.com showcases thousands of incredible businesses in more than 300 industry categories that are located in over 100 major U.S. cities. The Outstanding Local Business Award (OLBA) is given to locally-owned and operated businesses in recognition of their services to the local community and have met all of the Criteria listed on https://www.cityof.com/outstanding-local-business-award-badge

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