News Summary

FAIRFIELD — High ethical standards is a key part of DNA Diagnostic Center, which is the recipient of the 2008 Fairfield Ethical Business Award.

Five companies were nominated for the honor that recognizes businesses the posses ethical leadership, concern for customers, integrity, respect and loyalty. The Fairfield Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce combined to present the award at a luncheon Friday, June 20.

"All five of these businesses either met or exceeded these standards," said Jim Mullaney, chairman of the ethical business committee.

Others nominated included Bayer Becker Engineers, G&W Products, Hamilton Sorter and Ket-Moy Printing.

Jim Hanigan, spokesman for Fairfield-based DNA Diagnostic Center — which gained national attention for conducting paternity testing involving the custody battle for the late onetime Playboy Playmate Anna Nicole Smith's infant daughter, Dannielynn — said genetic testing results can change lives, as with paternity cases.

"Our concerns for customers is, hopefully, what makes us shine," Hanigan said. "We're just proud that there is a group that does recognize ethical businesses."

The luncheon's keynote speaker, Ronald Hummons, now a successful businessman, shared his story on how he was literally conceived from violence.

"I had no one around me to guide me in ethics," Hummons told the group of area businessmen and women. Now, he said, "My character is more important to me than anything."

Hummons served a more than six-year prison sentence for felonious assault and was homeless following a divorce once out of prison.

While behind bars, he developed a dream of starting a clothing and shoe line, drawing various sketches. He later learned through books how to develop a business plan and to network, and was able to secure several investors.

"Good character will take you places that good education and money won't," he said. "I'm a prime example of that."

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5112

or mpitman@coxohio.com.