On Thursday, December 8th the San Diego Business Journal honored Bill Howe of the Bill Howe Family of Companies with the 2011 Most Admired CEO Award in the large, family-owned business category.

The criteria for the award nomination was based on several key points including the CEO’s contribution to the company’s financial success; what the CEO has done to create and maintain a positive work environment and employee satisfaction; and the CEO’s community involvement and philanthropic contributions. Seventy-five finalists were honored at the event, given plaques for their commitment to their business, trade and communities. The winners were selected in the following categories: Nonprofit Organization, Business Nonprofit Organization, Education, Public Company, Privately Held Company, and Family-Owned Business.

Check out the press release announcing the award here.