Neutral Posture Inc., a fast-growing manufacturer of office furniture, ergonomic seating products and accessories, was honored with the presentation of the first-ever Texas Business Star award by the Texas Economic Development Corporation, the organization that promotes economic development for the state.
The prestigious award was presented to Neutral Posture CEO and Founder Rebecca Boenigk during a luncheon hosted by Texas Economic Development Corporation to honor companies that are making an economic impact in the Bryan-College Station region. More than a dozen regional business executives, city and economic development leaders and state officials attended the event.
Based in Bryan where it employs about 100 people, Neutral Posture was founded by Jaye Elizabeth Congleton and Rebecca Congleton Boenigk using a pressure-reducing seat design developed by Dr. Jerome Congleton. Neutral Posture is now a top supplier for the U. S. Government and Fortune 500 companies worldwide as a certified Women’s Business Enterprise. The company was featured in the New York Times in March in an article about the federal government’s 20-year struggle to meet its goal of awarding five percent of contracts to women-owned businesses.
“We are thrilled to present Neutral Posture with our inaugural Texas Business Star award,” said Tracye McDaniel, President and CEO of Texas Economic Development Corporation and TexasOne. “Given Governor Abbott’s priority on small business, this business exemplifies how startup companies with innovative products and a drive to succeed can thrive in the Lone Star State.”
“Neutral Posture is blazing new pathways for certified women-owned businesses and has a strong commitment to supporting and forming relationships with diverse businesses,” McDaniel added. The company brought in $7 million in government contracts last year as a certified women-owned business and hopes to at least double that number in the year ahead. The company has also established the Diversity Business Development Program for Minority Business Enterprises, Women’s Business Enterprises, not-for-profit and non-profit organizations.
“Neutral Posture is highly deserving of the Texas Business Star award,” said Todd McDaniel, President and CEO of the Research Valley Partnership. “A long-time corporate citizen of our region as well as an innovator, the company is surely one of our rising stars and is on a strong growth path in the Research Valley.” As part of its recent growth, the company acquired the Equity product line from well-known office furniture manufacturer Knoll Inc. in 2014.
Texas Economic Development Corporation instituted the Texas Business Star award to recognize companies that are making an extraordinary impact in their communities – whether through job creation, capital investment or a multitude of other factors that can elevate the economy.