[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 82 (Thursday, June 6, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S5950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                VIRGINIA'S BUSINESS PERSONS OF THE YEAR

 Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I have the great pleasure today to 
honor John Broughton and Monty Blizard, whom have been selected as 
Virginia's 1996 Business Persons of the Year. These awards were made as 
part of Small Business Week, and I believe this celebration of small 
business recognizes its crucial impact on our economy and society. John 
Broughton and Monty Blizard have worked together to make Broughton 
Systems, Inc., based in Richmond, VA, a superior firm that specializes 
in technology consulting and system development. Since its conception 
in 1981, Broughton Systems, has grown rapidly due to its intense focus 
on client relationships. As a result of such intense loyalty to their 
clients, nearly 80 percent of Broughton Systems' work is with existing 
or longtime clients. With its fundamental guide ``treating customers as 
we would want to be treated,'' Broughton Systems was recognized by Inc. 
magazine as one of the fastest growing private companies in the Nation, 
and has continued to build on that growth.
  Broughton Systems' loyalty does not stop with their clients, but 
carries over to its employees as well. Broughton has created a strong 
sense of community within its organization by treating its employees as 
members of a family. As part of this family, Brougton seeks ways in 
which it can enhance employee satisfaction and productivity through 
numerous programs and open lines of communication. For instance, work 
related issues, such as benefits and client management, are discussed 
openly in company town meetings held twice a year. Mr. Broughton and 
Mr. Blizard have also established opportunities for job sharing and 
have creative compensation programs to reward performance. The company 
seeks candidates who are reentering the work force and is proud of the 
fact that it has never had to lay off an employee. All of this 
establishes Broughton Systems as a secure place of employment, which in 
turn attracts creative and qualified individuals to compete in this 
expanding and competitive market.
  It is Broughton Systems' sense of family that has also spurred their 
employees to be leaders and philanthropists in the local community. 
They have given generously in the form of time, money, and pro bono 
work for nonprofit organizations such as the Children's Hospital, 
Special Olympics, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
  I am very pleased to have these two fine men being honored this week. 
It is my hope that they will serve as models not only for other 
business men and women in Virginia, but also entrepreneurs 
nationwide.

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