Hubbard Peanut Co., Inc. a Finalist in University of Virginia’s
Tayloe Murphy Resilience Awards Competition
SEDLEY, Va., Sept. 6, 2012 - (Virtual Press Office) - Hubbard Peanut Co., Inc., is proud to announce it has been selected for the Chairman’s Award in a University of Virginia competition that highlights and promotes the most resilient businesses in economically-challenged parts of the Commonwealth. A key component of the award is commitment and service to community.

“Because my parents, Dot and HJ Hubbard, were both very active in our community, our family learned that there is a symbiotic relationship between business and community,” said President Lynne H. Rabil. “We are so honored that the Darden School of Business has named us as a 2012 Resilience Award winner. It is particularly meaningful to receive the Chairman’s Award given that the namesake of the institution, Governor Colgate Darden, is a native son of Southampton County and was a neighbor.”

During its nearly 60 years in business, the Hubbard Peanut Company has endured numerous setbacks, including a fire that destroyed a key part of their facility, and challenges beyond their control within the peanut industry. Despite these obstacles, the company—most recognized for its Hubs brand peanuts —has persevered and grown.

Dot and HJ Hubbard started the Sedley-based company in 1954 using a unique peanut cooking process, and their daughter, President Lynne Rabil, with support from her family board of directors and a strong team of employees, continues to manage it with their founding values and the welfare of the community in mind. The company’s location in a disadvantaged area has inspired Hubbard family members and managers to support local schools and charitable organizations, not only financially but through involvement and leadership.

Selected from 59 applicants statewide and a field of 11 finalists, other 2012 Resilience Award winners include: A Bowl of Good Cafe, Inc. (Harrisonburg); Ballard Fish & Oyster Co., Inc. (Cheriton); ODUrent.com (Norfolk); and Service Center Metals (Prince George).

Together, they represent the most resilient businesses in Virginia—those which displayed growth, a dogged entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to community in areas facing high unemployment, high poverty and low entrepreneurial activity.

All 11 finalists were honored last night at a special awards ceremony held in the Abbott Center Auditorium at the Darden School and attended by state and local officials, economic development and business leaders and Darden representatives.

“These winners represent resilience in the classic sense of the word—in the face of some daunting challenges, they have bent but not broken, adapted, and become stronger for their efforts,” said Greg Fairchild, E. Thayer Bigelow Research Chair. “With annual double-digit growth rates in profit and employment and a clear commitment to their communities, these main street businesses have accomplished something that anyone interested in business would do well to learn from. It is our pleasure to be sharing their stories and highlighting their success.”

To help spur economic growth and entrepreneurial efforts in areas of the Commonwealth facing particularly difficult economic challenges, the Tayloe Murphy Resilience Award supports winners through ongoing media coverage, opportunities to engage key business and government leaders and enrollment in a week-long Executive Education course at Darden valued at $8,000–$12,000.

Hubbard Peanut Co. extends warm congratulations to all the Resilience Awards winners and finalists including:

A Bowl of Good Cafe, Inc. (Harrisonburg); Ballard Fish & Oyster Co., Inc. (Cheriton); EXCEL Management Services, Inc. (Richmond); Griffith Lumber Company (Woolwine); Office Plus Business Centre (Danville); ODUrent.com (Norfolk); Service Center Metals (Prince George); Silver Gallery (Waynesboro); Stuart Land & Cattle Co. of VA, Inc. (Rosedale); and Sunset Digital Communications, Inc. (Duffield).

The competition is held by Darden’s Initiative for Business in Society (IBiS) and presented in part by sponsorship from Virginia Business.

To learn more about the awards ceremony, please visit the Resilience Awards website or contact Chris Allerton at callerton@ivygroup.com or 434-979-2678.