NEWPORT BEACH, CA--(Marketwired - May 21, 2014) - The Association for Corporate Growth Orange County chapter ("ACG-OC") bestowed coveted awards celebrating growth, innovation and corporate responsibility to Orange County's finest companies Thursday night at the sold out Annual Awards Gala held at the Island Hotel.

Presented by Southern California's leading commercial tenant representation firm, Hughes Marino, the gala spotlighted Orange County companies excelling in a variety of categories as judged by an independent review panel of academic and business professionals.

Out of more than 100 nominations, 25 finalists were selected by an advisory board within ACG-OC. 

"The companies recognized in this year's event represent the best and brightest in Orange County," said J. Michael Issa, ACG Orange County president and principal of GlassRatner Advisory and Capital Group. "As an organization, ACG-OC prides itself on assisting local firms in their achievement of superior status through education, networking and collaboration. The ACG Awards Gala is an opportunity to reflect and celebrate the great business talent that exists in our local community."

The winning companies include:

Growth Award - Over $50M - ETAP/Operation Technology
Growth Award - American Handforge
Global Award (private) - Global Language Solutions
Global Award (public) - Newport Corporation
Corporate Responsibility - Zumasys
Green Award - Newlight Technologies
Sustainability Award - Phoenix Telecom
Innovation Award - Dana Innovations
Founders Award - Walker Brothers Machinery & Moving

In addition to presenting sponsor, Hughes Marino, the following companies also supported the event: Brown Rudnick and Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth; Host Sponsors; Bank of America, GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group LLC and Sullivan, Curtis & Monroe; and Silver Sponsors; First Bank, SingerLewak, Union Bank and Wells Fargo.

About ACG Orange County
Founded in 1954, the Association for Corporate Growth is a global organization with 56 chapters involved in corporate growth, corporate development, and mergers and acquisitions. ACG's 14,000 members include professionals from private equity firms, corporations and lenders that invest in middle-market companies, as well as from law, accounting, investment banking and other firms that provide advisory services.