Costello Inc. and Tailored Brands take top prizes from Corporate Challenge
Chad Hartmann (center in maroon) claims the Corporate Challenge traveling trophy, along with his teammates from Costello, Inc. Westchase District General Manager Jim Murphy is second from right.
Costello, Inc. — a Westchase District-based engineering firm — claimed the top two spots in the Westchase District’s 19th annual Corporate Challenge. The “red” team, led by Chad Hartmann, earned top honors, while the “blue” team, led by Brent Palermo claimed the second place trophy. Third pace in the five-event competition went to Tailored Brands and the team led by Stacy Malin.
“It’s always fun to tally up the results and find out who won our competition,” said Sherry Fox, vice president of communications, who organizes the annual event. “Costello, Inc. has won the top prize for the past six years. But this time, it was a different team from the same firm that claimed the traveling trophy for Costello.”
Forty-eight teams competed in this year’s competition, including new teams representing CB&I, Courtyard by Marriott, Lubrizol Specialty Products, Parkway Properties, Stonecrossing of Westchase Apartments and the Sugar Land Skeeters. Each team participates in five different athletic events – Soccer Kick, Football Toss, Briefcase Relay, NBA 2-ball and Dodgeball.
The winners in the individual events were:
Soccer Kick — EHRA Engineers
Football Toss — Houston Community College
Briefcase Relay — Tailored Brands
NBA 2-ball — Costello, Inc.
Dodgeball — Tri-Tech Surveying
Sponsors Thanked and Recognized
J.T. Gaden (second from right) accepts the first-place Soccer Kick plaque on behalf of his team from EHRA Engineers
The awards were presented at an April 28th award lunch, which also recognized sponsors of the 19th annual event.
Each team pays an entry fee to participate and area businesses support Corporate Challenge as Major Sponsors and Event Hosts. Amegy Bank was the Title Sponsor of the event for the fourth consecutive year. Major Sponsors included: Aberedeen Apartments; Camden; First Methodist Houston; Frost Bank; Houston Marriott Westchase; Lockwood Andrews & Newnam; Moderno Tacos + Tex Mex; Pape-Dawson Engineers; Phonoscope Lightwave; Quillian Center; and Sugar Land Skeeters. Event hosts included: Allegiance Bank; Covenant Glen UMC; Grace Presbyterian Church; Houston West Chamber of Commerce; IronEdge Group; Kolache Factory; McDonald’s; Pampered Lawns; Randalls; Retreat at Westchase; Sporting News Grill; West Houston Assistance Ministries; and Woodbranch Partners.
“We’re so grateful to the sponsors who contribute to the success of our event,” added Fox. “Their financial contribution means that we can execute a high-quality event that generates a healthy contribution for charity.”
Summer Camp and Charitable Support
Since 1998, the Westchase District’s Corporate Challenge has raised almost $230,000 for area charities, including Quillian Center’s summer day camps. The money is distributed by Westchase District Community Fund. WDCF Chairman Tim Johnson presented a $10,100 check to Quillian Center at the award lunch. The money is used by Quillian to provide need-based scholarships for area children to attend Quillian Center’s summer day camps.
Tim Johnson (WDCF); Chaz McAdams, William Melton, Tom Gaden (Quillian Center): Kim Peck, Dave Gilkeson (WDCF) and Steve Peters (Amegy Bank) participate in the check presentation.
“We’re grateful for our long-time relationship with Westchase District and the Corporate Challenge,” said Tom Gaden, Quillian Center director. “And we appreciate all the area businesses that participate in this event and help generate the contribution that will convey directly to area kids.”
20th anniversary coming up
“Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the Westchase District Corporate Challenge,” added Fox. “We’re planning to celebrate in a big way.” The 2017 event is scheduled for Friday, March 31, 2017.
Watch a Corporate Challenge video or view our gallery.
Spectators cheer on the competition during dodgeball.
Laylow Rivera, competing for First Methodist Houston, participates in the soccer kick competition.
Corporate Challenge participants line up for a group photo before the start of the morning competition.