POLAND, Ohio – When Dr. Ralph Urmson first opened his veterinary practice in Columbiana, he converted the front porch of a modest home into an exam room and lived in the space above it. Fifty-seven years later, Columbiana Veterinary Associates has grown into a trusted name in animal care — and on Wednesday, the practice received one of the Better Business Bureau’s highest honors: the 2025 Torch Award for Marketplace Trust.
The recognition came during the BBB’s annual Torch Awards ceremony, held at The Lake Club. The event celebrates businesses and individuals in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties who exemplify trust, ethics and integrity.
“I was taught a long time ago to love your Lord, dear God, with all your heart, soul and mind, to love your neighbor as yourself,” Urmson said during his acceptance. “I’ve tried to do that throughout my life.”
Urmson, who will retire next month, built the practice alongside his son, Dr. Brian Urmson, and daughter, Nancy Trevena, who serves as practice manager. Recently, Dr. Michael Cunningham — a former high school employee of the practice — returned as a fully licensed veterinarian, ensuring the legacy continues.
Columbiana Veterinary Associates was one of three businesses to receive the Torch Award for Marketplace Trust. Also honored were SenSource Inc. and Berk Enterprises.
Before presenting the day’s honorees, BBB President Melissa Ames emphasized the importance of living out the organization’s values daily. “Businesses can talk about trust and ethics, but you have to live them every day,” she said. “Doing that well just goes hand in hand.” The Torch Awards, she explained, were created to highlight those who not only speak to these values, but demonstrate them consistently through their work, leadership and community involvement.
SenSource began in 2002 with co-founders Joe Varacalli and Kevin Stefko selling industrial sensor systems from a small space on Salt Springs Road. After developing a website, the pair received a call from a library in Florida asking if they could count people instead of objects. That request led to a transformation in their business.
“We started in 2002 with a couple of principles: We’re going to do everything that we do with excellence and integrity,” Varacalli said. “And we know we’re not perfect, so when we do screw something up, we’re going to make it right.”
Today, SenSource’s systems can be found in libraries, retail stores and tourist destinations across the U.S. and Canada, including Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center. The company has grown to 22 employees and supports organizations such as the Rich Center for Autism and Big Reach Center of Hope.
“You don’t get there alone,” Stefko added. “They have to share the dream and the vision, and I think we’ve done a pretty good job of instilling that in them and letting them run with it.”
The third Marketplace Trust award went to Berk Enterprises, a third-generation, family-owned supplier of food service disposables and concession items based in Warren. The company began in 1946 as a pest control business and evolved over the decades, now serving national clients such as Cinnabon, Chipotle and AMC Theatres.
Reilley Burke, who became president and CEO in 2022, accepted the award.
“We have been working with the Better Business Bureau for many, many years now, and we are so grateful for their support and partnership over the years,” she said. “It’s such an honor to receive this recognition today.”
The Torch Award for Civic Leadership was presented to Diane Sauer, owner of Diane Sauer Chevrolet and a longtime community advocate in Warren. Over the years, Sauer has served on boards for the Red Cross, Trumbull 100 and the Trumbull United Way, among others. Her leadership has helped fund local projects, including the Warren Amphitheatre and a strings program for Warren City Schools.
“I was always surrounded by really great people — my husband, my family, my associates at Diane Sauer Chevrolet, the Rotary Club,” she said. “Everybody helped me out. And it’s always true: No matter what you give, you get so much back in return.”
Potential Development School for Autism received the Torch Award for Nonprofit Excellence. Founded in 1953, the organization now serves more than 300 students from preschool through high school across Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. This year marks a milestone as the school graduates its first student who will attend Youngstown State University in the fall.
“For Potential Development, you think of the word trust,” CEO Paul Garchar said. “We, on a daily basis, ask for the ultimate level of trust — we ask parents to trust us with their child with autism. We don’t take that lightly.”
The BBB TrustBuilders — PNC Bank, Farmers National Bank, Huntington Bank and Premier Bank (now WesBanco) — were recognized during the event for their continued commitment to integrity and community investment. A video produced by The Business Journal highlighted their efforts to support economic growth, volunteerism and financial education throughout the Mahoning Valley.
Ames thanked the TrustBuilders for their partnership, noting: “Not a day goes by where I don’t see that they are involved in some project, volunteering or event. We thank you for your service and commitment to the Valley.”
In addition to the Torch Awards, the event recognized four recipients of the BBB Ethics & Integrity Scholarship. Each student was awarded $1,000 through a partnership with Farmers Trust Co.
The 2025 scholarship recipients are:
- Gabriel Dearing, Poland Seminary High School, affiliated with Dearing Compressor & Pump. He will attend Arizona State University to study business.
- Ella Dill, Ursuline High School, affiliated with All Star Auto Group. She will attend Case Western Reserve University to study biology.
- Alexi Elbon, Niles McKinley High School, affiliated with The Body Shop of Niles. She will attend The Ohio State University to study nursing.
- Kenzie McCormick, Lowellville High School, affiliated with Aqua Ohio. She will attend Youngstown State University to study nursing.
As the event concluded, Ames reflected on what made this year’s honorees stand out: their adaptability, resilience and unwavering commitment to ethical business practices — even in difficult times.
“What really stood out to me is they were able to pivot in times of trouble and make a success out of it,” she said. “It’s the ingenuity of local businesses that — even though they are on one path — they are able to make a success out of it when times are tough.”
Ames added that the BBB’s mission extends to future leaders as well, noting the significance of the student scholarship recipients.
“No matter what industry you go into, ethics and integrity are what’s going to make you successful in your career path,” she said. “That’s what we celebrate here today.”
Pictured at top: From left, Riley Burke of Berk Enterprises, Diane Sauer, Joe Vacarelli and Kevin Stefko of SenSource, Paul Garchar of Potential Development, Dr. Ralph Urbsan of Columbiana Veterinary Associates and BBB President Melissa Ames at the 2025 Torch Awards for Marketplace Trust.