The Forum and the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce are proud to name three local businesses as Businesses of the Year for 2015. Awards go to ANECA Federal Credit Union, Ashley’s Building and Construction Co. LLC and Roppolo’s Insulation LLC, for their outstanding success and civic contributions. The nominations for The Forum Small Business of the Year are solicited from the greater Shreveport business community and The Senior Council of Retired Executives decides the winners.

ANECA Federal Credit Union

Stephanie Sievers, CEO of ANECA Federal Credit Union, said she is proud ANECA was honored with the Small Business of the Year Award.

“When I first heard I won the Small Business of the Year award, I was momentarily stunned,” Sievers said. “But, as it sunk in, I became ecstatic.”

Sievers first began working in credit unions in 2008 as the CEO of St. Joseph’s Broadmoor FCU and became the CEO of ANECA FCU in late 2012.

Sievers said her favorite part of the job is by far the people. “I love the people I work with, and when I get to help someone that makes my day,” Sievers said.

Sievers said she realizes her success is by far a team effort.

“After hearing the news, I called a meeting with my direct reports and told them we were chosen. We cheered, jumped up and down, and then I immediately started planning what we would do for the company staff to thank them for being awesome!” Sievers said. “I am aware that my employees are responsible for our successes as an organization. We are a team and we are nothing without each other.”

Sievers said her main goal for ANECA is succinct, yet powerful.

“I want to make a positive financial impact in the lives of the people and communities we serve,” Sievers said. She hopes to carry out her current success into the future. “In the next five to 10 years, I hope to be doing what I am doing now – being the CEO of a growing company with a civic minded mission.”

Sievers said she is most proud of the heart of her company.

“At ANECA, we invest in people by investing in their businesses,” Sievers said. “Our hope is that they will go on to be successful and employ more people and help grow our local economy. Basically, we invest in the Shreveport- Bossier City community by investing in small businesses, and then by focusing on helping them grow.”

She said ANECA is not like other local banks. “ANECA is a not-for-profit financial institution owned by the people in the community. Anyone who has an account with us is an owner. Therefore, our mission is to support our owners. We believe that small businesses are the backbone of all economies. We support small business and give them loans and support when others won’t.”

From a business standpoint, that method sounds risky – but she said, it has a big pay off and a sense of the bigger picture at play.

“We do this because we are local and we believe in investing in the local economy,” Sievers said. “We want to see our local economy thrive and grow, so we take risks and invest in people.”

ANECA is such a great example of heart, courage and teamwork – business helping businesses, and therefore helping the local economy. “We create two way relationships with our small business,” Sievers said. “We offer financial counseling and advice, and then we use their services and encourage others to as well. When a small business does business with us, we become personally invested in their success and so we do everything we can to help them grow and thrive.”

Find more online: look for AneCA Federal Credit Union on YouTube, Facebook, instagram and linkedin as AneCA FCU, and on Twitter @AneCAFCU.

Ashley’s Building and Construction Co. LLC

Adam and Lisa Willard, co-owners of Ashley’s Building and Construction Co. LLC., know how to be a team both on and off the clock.

Husband and wife and co-workers, the Willards have built a thriving local business on love, teamwork and quality service. They were honored to have those qualities recognized by being given the Small Business of the Year Award.

Ashley’s Building and Construction is a trusted home builder and home remodeling company that has serviced Shreveport-Bossier City for the past 20-plus years. Adam works as general contractor, while Lisa serves as designer for the company. Together, they have 35 years of experience in the building and remodeling industry.

“We were elated to hear we won this award, which is validation that when you do good, you get good,” Lisa said.

This husband and wife team also won Angie’s List Super Service Award in 2012, 2013 and 2014 for kitchen and bathroom remodeling. “Our focus at Ashley’s is to provide each and every client with a superior, transparent, enjoyable construction experience,” Lisa said.

As a general contractor for over 20 years, Adam has earned the reputation of being an honest, safety-first home builder and remodeler. His dedication to providing every family with a structurally sound project, coupled with his educating the client throughout every step of the construction process, builds the homeowner’s confidence and trust. Adam believes the more a client knows about the inner workings of their home, the better – and that constant communication is key.

All great home construction starts with a great home design. As a designer, Lisa’s passion for connecting with clients yields the perfect space for their family’s lifestyle and personality. Knowing a home remodel is more than a construction process, but is an emotional process, Lisa lowers the decision stress by assisting her families with material selection such as flooring, cabinets, colors and countertops. Additionally, Lisa creates 3D computer renderings for each project which allows the client to see what their redesigned space will look like before the construction phase begins.

“Seeing and hearing a client’s expressions of complete satisfaction after the punch list gives us great joy,” Lisa said. “Just recently, a past client texted me that she felt like she was on vacation in her own home. We have strong, trusting relationships with our clients and that is the bonus of what we do.”

The Willards also run a nonprofit company called Red River Cleanup. So far, this yearly cleanup event has brought out over 1,000 volunteers to help remove over 37,000 pounds of trash and debris from the river and its surrounding areas. They also enjoy hobbies such as creative writing, drawing, bicycling and family whitewater paddling trips.

Despite their busy schedule, being family and parents are the number one priority. “We are a loud and proud, blended family of seven,” Lisa said. “During the summer, we have what we call Camp Ashley’s Building, where we take turns bringing the four younger children with us to check on jobs, teach them the different aspects of running a small business and allow them to work on projects.”

The Willards are grateful for the success of the business, and especially for their team of workers.

“We are very blessed to have an amazing team of trades that are the best in the business and share our same morals and values,” Lisa said. “These are salt of the earth folks and we appreciate their hard work and patience very much!”

For more information: www.ashleysbuilding.com www.facebook.com/ashleysbuildingandconstruction • www.redrivercleanup.com

Roppolo’s Insulation LLC

Bryan Philip Roppolo, owner of Roppolo’s Insulation LLC, has 17 years of experience in the industry, and is another winner of the Small Business of the Year Award.

“When I received the email that I had been selected as one of the Small Business of the Year winners, I was shocked and excited,” Roppolo said. “I work hard daily to have a thriving business in our area, and to be awarded for my hard work is very rewarding.”

Servicing the Ark-La-Tex since 1978, Roppolo’s Insulation LLC specializes in spray foam insulation, blown in fiberglass, and traditional fiberglass.

“Roppolo’s Insulation is set apart from other competitors because we always strive to do the best job possible,” Roppolo said. “As the owner, I am involved in all daily operations, including going to customer’s jobs for bids and taking phone calls from customers with questions. My staff and I are always available when a customer calls and we pride ourselves in being able to get to their job in a timely manner.”

Roppolo’s Insulation can remove insulation damaged from water, mold, fire or mildew from under house or other hard to reach insulate areas. They’re also experienced in new apartment construction and new housing developments.

Bryan attended Louisiana State University-Shreveport and took over Roppolo’s Insulation in 1998 from his father, Philip. Roppolo’s Insulation currently holds certifications including Insulation Contractors Association of America Certified Insulator, Energy Star Certified Contractor and Spray Polyurethane Foam Certified insulator. In 2014, Bryan was a recipient of the Young Professionals Initiative 40 Under 40 Award, presented by The Forum.

Roppolo has big plans and high hopes for the future. “My main goal right now is to continue to increase sales and grow the business,” Roppolo said. “Ultimately, I would like to expand the business by doing more commercial jobs throughout the area and statewide.”

Roppolo said he is excited to introduce Core Foam Masonry Foam in the near future. Core Foam Masonry Foam Insulation is a “dry” resin foam-in-place insulation product, designed for the cores of concrete block walls. This Class 1/Class A product exceeds all testing requirement of current standard building codes and will open new proverbial doors for customers.

Bryan and his wife, Shawna, have been married five years and have one daughter, Emma Jo and a Weimerainer dog named Mac. When not working, Bryan enjoys hunting, fishing and competition cooking, and is currently ranked 10th in the country in the Steak Cook-Off Association. Roppolo is also involved in serving on the YPI Executive Committee, president of the Shreveport Downtown Lions Club, Dream Hunt Foundation treasurer, Cass County Championship Rodeo Association board member and Insulation Contractors of America member.

Roppolo’s loves giving back to the community in a variety of ways, one of which includes holding and maintaining a quality reputation of service. “Insulation is a product that will always be needed in the area,” Roppolo said. “So by providing great customer service and excellent products, we can be a reputable company in the Shreveport-Bossier City area.”

More information: Learn more about roppolo’s insulation at www.roppolosinsulation.com or on facebook as roppolo’s insulation.