Melissa Haberstroh is shown in New York with her husband Jeff.

Community service has become common practice for retailer Melissa Haberstroh. Being honored with national recognition for her efforts is quite new and left Haberstroh speechless at the Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ annual Retailer Excellence Awards, which honors the best in the gift and home furnishings industry.

A submission in the Promotion and Community Service category, which led to the recognition, centered around The River South Arts & Design District, which Haberstroh guided to designation. Haberstroh was presented with a special Gold Award for Outstanding Public Service to the Retail Community.

“This achievement is truly noteworthy,” remarked Caroline Kennedy, executive editor of Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine. “In these challenging times, it is difficult enough just managing, let alone growing a business. But to plan and execute such an ambitious community service promotion that benefits the community as a whole is an achievement truly worthy of recognition. It is the professionalism, creativity and determination of retailers like Melissa that sets The Burlap Horse apart.”

“I’m deeply flattered by this recognition,” adds Haberstroh. “I follow my heart when it comes to service and I have always believed that volunteerism and community service are critical components to a person’s success in life and business. I share this honor with all of those who have guided me and supported me in my efforts.”

Since opening her upscale lifestyle boutique six years ago, Haberstroh with her husband and business partner, Jeff, has been honored with two Gold Retailer Excellence Awards by Gifts & Decorative Accessories, an Architectural Design Award by the Boerne Area Historical Preservation Society and was named a 2006 Retail Star by Home Accents Today

Preferred Landscape named small business leader

David Dunne, president of Preferred Landscape and Lighting, is the recipient of the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s 2007 Extraordinary Small Business Leader of the Year Award in the Business Achievement category.

Preferred was originally co-founded in 1995 by David Dunne and Mark Metzger (St. Mary’s graduates ’92 & ’01).   Darryl Cook (UTSA ’94) and Scott Wiatrek, friends of David and Mark, joined the ownership team shortly after the company was formed. The company has grown to more than 100 employees.

Preferred is comprised of six divisions:  Landscape Design and Installation; Landscape Lighting; Tree Care; Holiday Décor Design and Installation; Landscape Maintenance; and Irrigation Installation and Maintenance.  The organization maintains a community outreach program to aid those in need.  Preferred’s past community involvement includes charitable donations and work with organizations and foundations such as Rotary International, Ronald McDonald House, Katrina Relief, Boy Scouts of America, San Antonio Junior Livestock Exposition, and Southwest Mental Health Center among others.