(9 entries)

Judge: Becky Bisbee, Business Editor, Austin American-Stateman
Bisbee joined the Statesman in 1995. She has 20 years of journalism experience, having previously worked at The Modesto Bee, The Capital in Annapolis, Md., and the Baltimore Sun.

First Place
DAWN GILBERTSON
The Arizona Republic
"Shareholders underwhelmed," "Stockholders meetings need sparks" and "ConSyGen up the net hype and a prayer"
"Well-reported columns that provided readers with context and analysis. The writer used quotes well in the look at one company's annual shareholder's meeting. In another column, the writer offered specific advice for company execs and shareholders alike on how to make shareholder meetings more meaningful. And, in the third column, a touch of humor and sarcasm was used well to make a point about the Net hype on Wall Street. Having a local columnist to write authoritatively about publicly traded companies in an intelligent way is a huge plus to any Business section."

Second Place
JENNIFER BOICE
Tucson Citizen
"New law on mortgage insurance," "As Internet commerce rises" and "Once people met Learjet's Bib Stillwell"
"Three different columns, all highly readable and informative. Like the info box, "What to do,'' that accompanied the column about changes to the mortgage insurance law. Great reader service. Column on taxing Internet sales hit the high points of the discussion that is going on nationwide. Brought issue home to the state and city. Profile of dead CEO gave readers a clear picture of a man who had an impact on Tucson. Didn't gloss over his shortcomings."

No third place