Awards and Certifications From October 21

Woman-owned pHurity, Inc. Receives Michigan Green Chemistry Award: The first-ever Michigan Green Chemistry Governor's Award for small business has been presented to pHurity Inc., which is woman-owned and operated by Barbara Kovach of Franklin. Kovach accepted the award this week during the second annual Michigan Green Chemistry Conference in Lansing. Founded in 2007, pHurity, Inc. is a formulator of plant-based, renewable and biodegradable green cleaning and personal care products that are manufactured in Auburn Hills and sold in more than 75 specialty grocery and health stores throughout Michigan. "Our first several months were spent in intensive research and product formulation to ensure that every ingredient was analyzed and verified before we introduced pHurity products to the market in late 2008," said Kovach, an intellectual property attorney who founded the company with partner Tim Darwish. PHurity submitted its product formulas to NSF International, a not-for-profit organization committed to protecting public health and the environment. NSF International scientists and toxicologists review each ingredient and evaluate product formulations for potential human health and environmental effects.  According to Kovach, NSF only recommends products that use chemicals safer for the environment and human health for an EPA/Design for the Environment label. During her award acceptance speech, Kovach thanked the judges' panel, as well as Governor Jennifer Granholm and others, for recognizing pHurity as a new business that has chosen to merge economic opportunities with sustainable products and environmental protection. In addition to the small business award, Michigan Green Chemistry award categories included academic, student, education and public programs that were required to be Michigan specific and illustrate how their innovation supports Michigan's growth, will be advanced, and benefit Michigan's economy, environment, and health. More at www.pHurity.com.

First Tech Direct Awarded Industry Certification Status for Discrete Manufacturing: Royal Oak-based First Tech Direct LLC, one of Microsoft's leading Dynamics Partners, has been awarded the AMR Research Partner Industry Certification for Microsoft Dynamics for the Discrete Manufacturing Industry. The AMR Research Partner Industry Certification System provides end-customer organizations with insight into the industry-specific capabilities of Dynamics Partners. The program is based on objective, research-based findings and allows customers to easily identify those Microsoft Partners that are proficient within their specific industry. Microsoft has established a number of technical certification programs so that Dynamics partners can become certified based on their ability to scope, implement, and support various Microsoft Dynamics solutions. This new program builds an additional layer of certification and is solely focused on a partner's ability to meet the customer needs of a specific industry. Incorporated in 1986, AMR Research has a deep history in understanding the unique needs of specific industries, and has developed a robust capability in industry-specific research and analysis. Given this history, AMR Research was a natural partner for Microsoft in its stated goal of helping customers to find industry-proficient Dynamics partners. AMR Research is a subsidiary of Gartner Inc. First Tech Direct delivers industry expertise as a leading provider of Microsoft Dynamicsbusiness solutions, including Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics SL and Microsoft Dynamics CRM. First Tech Direct also provides a range of product lifecycle management products and services from PTC, The Product Development Co. More at www.firsttechdirect.com.

Women In Cable Recognizes Two Comcast Employees: The Michigan Chapter of Women in Cable and Telecommunications, an organization dedicated to developing women leaders in the cable and telecommunications industry, awarded two local Comcast employees its 2010 WICT Michigan Leadership Awards.  Shannon Dulin of Lathrup Village and Lisa Kocsis-LeCureux of Clarkston received the "Edye Bonno Emerging Leader Award" and the "Carla Laufer Cable Achievement Award," respectively.  The awards were announced last week at the 2010 WICT Michigan Leadership Awards event in Livonia.  Dulin, recipient of the Edye Bonno Emerging Leader Award for demonstrating leadership potential, is the Community Affairs Associate for Comcast in Michigan.  Since joining Comcast in 2004, she has been responsible for supporting community investment efforts in the state, including Comcast Cares Day, the company's annual day of nationwide community service, and the United Way campaign, as well as developing partnerships with Comcast Foundation grant recipients among other initiatives.  She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a master's degree from Wayne State University.  Kocsis-LeCureux, this year's Carla Laufer Cable Achievement Award honoree, was selected for her commitment and dedication to the cable industry.  The award is given in memory of Carla Laufer, who lost her life to breast cancer and exemplified outstanding commitment and dedication to her coworkers.  Kocsis-LeCureux, Senior Director of Project Management for Comcast in Michigan, is responsible for managing complicated and cross-functional company projects intended to improve and expand how Comcast serves its customers.  She is a graduate of Michigan State University and has worked for Comcast for more than nine years.

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