Released Oct. 5, 2007

BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Little Athens, Falls Construction Co., Cascade Electric Co. and Sletten Construction Co., all of Great Falls, were named 2007 Montana Family Business of the Year winners at the Montana Family Business Day held recently in Bozeman.

"Family businesses are central to the economic vitality of Montana and the businesses that are honored are perfect examples of why and how family businesses contribute to our communities, our state and our nation," said Nancy Dodd, director of the Montana State University College of Business State Farm Insurance Family Business Program and an MSU professor of management.

The four companies received the top awards in the following categories: Little Athens in the very small business category (fewer than 10 employees); Falls Construction Co. in the small business category (10-29 employees); and Cascade Electric Co. tied in the medium business category (30-50 employees). Sletten Construction Co. won the Judge's Special Recognition Award.

Little Athens is owned by Andreas and Aspacia Geranios, who left a successful corner grocery store behind in Greece when they immigrated to the U.S. in 1967. The family bought a gyro shop, now known as Little Athens, which has been in operation for over 25 years. The restaurant is now managed by Aspacia and her son, Nick Geranios.

The late Guy Huestis, Jr., founded Falls Construction Co. in 1947. After 60 years of operation, the company still operates out of their original location, though a larger, more modern building was constructed five years ago to accommodate the growing business. The founder's son and grandsons, Guy, Jason and Harley, now manage the company.

The Cascade Electric Company was originally established in the Great Falls area in 1917. William McKinley Wilson, who grew up in Great Falls and worked as an electrician's apprentice, was hired by the company in 1928. In 1944, he became manager and then served as president for 20 years after the company incorporated in 1947. In 1984, Rob R. Wilson bought Cascade Electric, with his sons Scott W. and Rob D. part of the workforce. With Rob R. Wilson's death in 1998, son Scott took over.

John Sletten immigrated to the U.S. from Norway in 1991. He and an accountant formed Kleppe Sletten Construction in 1924; in 1928, Kleppe retired and Sletten renamed the company John Sletten Constuction. The company was incorporated in 1947. After John's death, his son, J. Robert Sletten, became president. From the late 1950s-1990s, Sletten Construction opened branches and divisions in various states. In 1991, the business became an Employee Stock Ownership Plan company. In 2004, Sletten Construction became a 100 percent employee-owned company.

Other state businesses receiving Montana Family Business awards were: Diversified Plastics of Missoula tying Cascade Electric Company in the medium business category (30-50 employees); Mergenthaler Transfer & Storage Co. of Helena in the large business category (more than 50 employees); and Honeyland, Inc. of Wolf Point in the old business category (operating at least 50 years as a family business).

This is the 14th year MSU's Family Business Program has hosted the awards honoring family businesses in the state.

The MSU College of Business and State Farm Insurance, in honor of Robert Jaedicke, host the program. Stockman Bank underwrote the awards, with additional support for the program provided by Combs Law Firm, PC, and the Montana Chamber of Commerce.

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http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=5203

Contacts: Nancy Dodd, 994-6195

Karen Beach, 994-6796

Audrey Lee, 994-7026