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January 6, 2006

Press Release-CSD and C.E.O. Benjamin Soukup Honored for Three Sioux Falls Business Awards

From: CSD - Jan 6, 2006

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
Release Date: Jan. 6, 2006
Contact: Derric Miller
CSD Communications Office
dsmiller@c-s-d.org



CSD and C.E.O. Benjamin Soukup Honored for Three Sioux Falls Business Awards

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Jan. 6, 2006) — The Sioux Falls Business Journal has just published The Source 2005-06, a book of lists on Sioux Falls’ best businesses. Deaf and hard of hearing service provider CSD garnered three awards, including the top honor of “2005 Best of Sioux Falls Business.”

Additionally, chief executive officer Benjamin Soukup was named “Best Executive of the Year,” and CSD also won “Best of Business” in the general category.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the Sioux Falls Business Journal in this capacity,” said Soukup. “If you knew how much our employees truly invested their heart and soul in CSD’s mission, then you’d agree they deserve these accolades.”

In 1975, Soukup worked alone out of a closet at the South Dakota School for the Deaf. Today, CSD is known for being the largest deaf and hard of hearing non profit human service and telecommunications organization in the world, operating 50 offices and employing over 3,000 people across the nation.

In The Source, Rob Oliver, chairman of Augustana College’s department of business administration, said Soukup seems to inspire and empower others to do their best and think outside the box. Oliver thanks the company’s employees are high-energy, idea people, and that Soukup “is the kind of person who draws that out of them.”

CSD is also known for being the leader in the telecommunications relay industry, as well as the first national provider of video relay services. As a non profit, funds generated by CSD are funneled back into the human service side of the organization to provide deaf and hard of hearing programs including adult basic education, job placement, senior adult services, drug and alcohol counseling, youth leadership development and more.

“Being recognized with these awards is a tremendous way to start 2006,” said Soukup. “By working together as a team, we’ve proved for 30 years running that anything is possible.”

About CSD
CSD (aka Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc.) was established in 1975, primarily to provide sign language interpreting services to deaf and hard of hearing adults in South Dakota. Today, CSD employs over 3,000 individuals in offices across the nation, providing a broad continuum of social and human services programs, as well as telecommunications relay services. CSD is a private nonprofit agency dedicated to providing quality services; ensuring public accessibility; and increasing awareness of issues affecting the deaf, hard of hearing and individuals with speech disabilities. For more information, please visit www.c-s-d.org.

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