The Way West Won

"People tended to recognize me more and ask more questions," Barton says, remembering working extensively with his peers and being used as a sort of "educational stepping stone" at conferences and industry events after winning the award. And the university community took notice, too.

"It goes a long way to give you credibility," Barton notes. "It helps you especially on the local level." Not that Barton needed this award to earn respect from his customers. Judging from the great number of letters IPG received raving of Barton's commitment to customer service and his leadership abilities, his past actions have gone beyond what any award might bring.