Bob Goff, at left, and John Allen with Southern Construction & Design Inc. receive the 2014 Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics from the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama Inc. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Southern Construction & Design Inc. was an award winner at the 17th annual Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics, sponsored by Better Business Bureau of North Alabama Inc.

The Madison-based homebuilder earned the award in the small business category (for 1 to 25 employees).

Southern Construction & Design was recognized for their commitment to fairness and honesty in all dealings with customers. “This commitment to honesty and integrity is embodied in their motto, ‘Do more, not less,'” BBB spokesperson Elizabeth Garcia said.

“It is an honor for our company to be recognized with the Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics by the BBB,” Southern Construction & Design President John Allen said. “Since 1997, we, my father-in-law/partner Bob Goff and I, have always tried to do the right thing with our clients and sub-contractor team members. We are humbled to be selected for this award.”

To promote ethics in the workplace, Southern Construction & Design uses real-world examples to train their employees and vendors.

Joshua Abreo of James Clemens High School was among nine North Alabama “Students of Integrity” to receive $1,000 scholarships.

Other awards went to Alabama Lawn Masters Inc. of Huntsville, mid-size, 26-99 employees; Wayne’s Environmental Services Inc. of Tanner, large, 100-plus employees; nLogic LLC of Huntsville, government contractor; and Still Serving Veterans of Huntsville, non-profit.

BBB hosted the awards ceremony at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville on Nov. 18. More than 225 companies and non-profit organizations were nominated.

Other finalists included Ed Smith Office Machines, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and Rosenblum Realty – small; Anglin Reichmann Snellgrove & Armstrong, Dean & Son Plumbing Company and Flint River Animal Hospital – midsize; ADS Security of Huntsville, ADTRAN and SCA Americas/Barton – large; Torch Technologies, Troy 7 and WaveLink – government contractor; and The CARE Center and CASA of Madison County – non-profit.

For BBB info, call 256-533-6456 or email to egarcia@northalabama.bbb.org.

For more information about Southern Construction & Design, call 256-652-6857 or visit southern-construction.com.