The Better Business Bureau of Northeast and Central Louisiana and the Ark-La-Tex’s 13th BBB Torch Awards were held at Northridge Country Club in Texarkana, Thursday, June 26, 2025, honoring 19 nominees in the Bowie, Cass, and Miller County market.
This year’s Keynote Speaker was Dr. Robin Hickerson, CEO and President, Texarkana Chamber of Commerce. The event was Emceed by Mr. Wes Spicher, Texarkana Media Center, and the awards were presented in three different categories by Dr. Larry Davis, Chairman, Texarkana Advisory Board.
The BBB Torch Awards honors companies whose leaders demonstrate a high personal character, ensure that the organization’s practices meet the highest standards of ethics, and generate trust. These awards embody the Better Business Bureau’s mission of advancing marketplace trust.
This year’s recipient of the Integrity Award was New Boston’s own NETX Properties.
NETX Properties was earlier named a finalist for the award along with Lafferty Roofing and Construction and Central AC and Plumbing.
NETX Properties Executive Director Cal Davis was on hand at the award ceremony to receive the Integrity Award. Davis told the Tribune, “It is a pro-found honor to receive this award. This recognition is a testament to our agency’s long-standing commitment to excellence—not for our own sake, but for every client we have the privilege to serve. To be acknowledged for our integrity is deeply meaningful. I must first thank God for His guidance in our decisions. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to our highly qualified team, who exemplify integrity in their work; our board of directors, who align with and uphold our values; and our community, whose support and pride in our mission to assist our citizens to make our work possible.”
Other awards presented that evening were the Customer Commitment Award that went to Thomas Bui and Sons AC and Heating in Texarkana and the award to Non-Profit recipient Opportunities, Inc.
Also recognized at the luncheon were Texas A&M University-Texarkana, BBB Scholarship recipient, Andrew Barkman, and Scholarship recipient, Texarkana College, Izabella Magana. Profits from the Torch Awards will continue to be used to establish BBB Scholarships for business majors pursuing an MBA.
