ELMHURST CHAMBER TABS OEC BUSINESS INTERIORS
AS A.J. “TOCHE” TERRONES BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
ELMHURST, Ill., January 5, 2011 – OEC Business Interiors will receive the A.J. “Toche” Terrones Business of the Year Award for 2010 at the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s 92nd Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner held in the Diplomat’s Presidential Room on Friday, January 28, from 6 to 9 p.m.
The annual award is given based on a member’s contributions to the Chamber’s success, to the betterment of both the business community and Elmhurst community, and impact in their field of business, each in the given year and historically, along with years in business and years as a Chamber member.
“OEC is a shining example of how family-owned businesses of all shapes and sizes make Elmhurst a better place to live and work,” said John Quigley, Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer since 1999.
“We are very honored to be chosen as the Chamber’s Business of the Year,” said Sherrie Riha, OEC’s Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “Thank you so much.”
The award presentation will be made by Outgoing Chairman of the Board of Directors Scott Levin of Howard & Howard (200 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1100, Chicago) and Quigley. Joining them in the award presentation will be Dave Rubis, Branch Manager at Harris Elmhurst (1121 South York Street and 115 West Third Street), the 2009 Business of the Year recipient. Rubis will receive an acrylic Business of the Year plaque to put on display at his banquet hall.
The award, which features a traveling trophy and permanent plaque, is named in memory of A.J. “Toche” Terrones, who served as Chamber President for nearly a decade until his death in July of 1999.
Three generations of Rihas have worked in the office equipment business over the past 55 years and OEC’s roots date back to 1929—the year of the Great Depression.
Back in 1955, Raymond Riha Sr. and his wife Frances founded an office equipment company known Riha, Petersen & Vail, along with two partners. In 1961, the partners purchased Office Equipment Company and gained access to the Steelcase product line. The Rihas took over sole ownership of Office Equipment Company in 1977.
Frances Riha serves OEC as CEO and Chairman of the Board while her husband, Ray Riha Sr., serves as President. Their son, Ray Riha Jr., Sherrie’s husband, serves Executive Vice President and General Manager, and his brother-in-law, George Deolitsis, serves as Senior Vice President of Sales.
Year in and year out, OEC hosts and caters various Chamber meetings in its great room and employee cafeteria, donates equipment to the Chamber office and fundraising activities, and exhibits at the business expo and other multi-chamber special events. OEC representatives have served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors and committees.
From a staff of three in the beginning, OEC is now the largest Steelcase dealership in the country, with clients in all 50 states. Its other product lines include Kimball Office, National, HON, Global, InterfaceFLOR, Lees, the Shaw companies and hundreds of others. Products range from furniture, flooring, architectural solutions, audio/video solutions, technology products, artwork, signage, visual communication products and more.
OEC is a fully-integrated solutions provider offering sales consultation, project and order management, technical design, technology integration, e-business solutions, delivery and installation.
Previous Business of the Year honorees are Harris Elmhurst, Diplomat West (2008), Suburban Bank & Trust Co. (2007), Larry Roesch Chrysler Jeep Dodge (2006), York Theatre (2005), Synergistic Networks, Inc. (2004), Silverado Grill (2003), Great American Exteriors (2002), Cardinal Cartridge, Inc. (2001), Unique Travel Service, Ltd. (2000) and Community Bank of Elmhurst (1999).
The traveling trophy of imported 24% German lead crystal atop a mahogany wood base will be displayed at the Harris branches until the Chamber’s 2011 Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner, while an award plaque with a nameplate listing Harris is on permanent display at the Chamber office.
Established in 1918, the Elmhurst Chamber is a voluntary organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together for the purpose of promoting the civic and commercial progress of the community.
The Chamber also serves the needs of its members through services, programs and events that provide opportunities for networking and referral, business education, development and promotion, governmental representation and community involvement.
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