Dallas, TX  – October 24, 2017  – Granite Properties, an investment, development and management company, announced today that Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Honorary Chair of the 34th annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards, Governor Greg Abbott and the OneStar Foundation recognized the company with the Corporate Community Impact Award for Small Business. The award, received by Granite engineer Johnny Ferro last night at the Texas Governor’s Mansion in Austin, recognizes a private sector entity for its long-term employee volunteer programs that make a demonstrable community impact.

Each year companies and individuals are recognized for their contributions in their communities. Granite was nominated this year by the Richmond State Supported Living Center, an intermediate care facility for people who live with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Center nominated Granite because of Johnny Ferro’s leadership and volunteer efforts. Over the past ten years, Granite employees have donated more than 3,500 hours to the Center. Their impact ranges from improving funding to revamping the grounds of the Therapeutic Riding Center. Johnny Ferro chairs the center’s Volunteer Services Council board this year and is active in recruiting new board members to appeal to new audiences and increase funding. 

“On behalf of Granite, I am honored to receive the Governor’s Volunteer Award for our commitment to giving back to the communities where we work and live,” said Johnny Ferro, engineer at Granite Properties. “It’s great to work for a company who makes it so easy to volunteer so that we can support organizations we care about, like the Richmond Center,” he added.

Community service is at the core of Granite’s culture. Since its establishment in 1991, Granite employees have been encouraged to volunteer. Granite gives its employees 40 paid hours per year for community service and matches charitable donations made by its employees up to a maximum of $250 per year. In 2016, Granite employees completed more than 5,000 volunteer hours, at a value of more than $3,000 per employee, for an impact of $497,000 to citizens and communities in Texas, Georgia, Colorado and California. Granite employees serve roughly five charities in each city where Granite has properties. In Texas, other charities supported by Granite employees include Children’s Medical Center, Collin County Meals on Wheels and Easter Seals in Texas.

About Granite Properties

Granite Properties is a privately held investment, development and management company founded in 1991, with offices in Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Denver and Southern California. It has completed more than $6.1 billion in real estate transactions and more than 26 million square feet of real estate development and acquisitions. Granite focuses its expertise, business approach and financial resources to help their customers, communities and their people thrive.