The American Moving & Storage Association has honored Gentle Giant Moving Company of Somerville, Mass., with the Independent Mover of the Year Award, or "the Indy."
The award is given to a company that demonstrates outstanding performance through innovative business methods and practices, community involvement, customer service practices, employee relations, and operations that address a current and compelling social or economic issue. The recipient is selected by a panel of industry experts.

Larry O'Toole, president of Gentle Giant, founded the company in 1980 with a friend's borrowed truck and an ad in a weekly Boston newspaper. In its 30-year existence, Gentle Giant has expanded from a single truck business in Massachusetts into six other states and Washington, D.C., employing more than 200 people.

Because of the company's tradition of hiring college rowers as movers, the Gentle Giant Charitable Foundation supports the Gentle Giant Rowing Club in Malden, Mass., a nonprofit that gives city teens a chance to learn about and compete in the sport of rowing.

"The company has set highest standards and is committed to community involvement," said Linda Bauer Darr, AMSA president and CEO.

The company has also earned the right to participate in AMSA's ProMover program, which helps consumers easily identify a quality, professional mover.

Each year AMSA recognizes the best performing and highest achieving individuals and companies in the industry. The corresponding 2009 award for a van line-affiliated agent went to Hilldrup Moving & Storage of Stafford, Va., an agent of United Van Lines.

All awards will be presented during AMSA's 2010 Education Conference & Expo in Phoenix from Feb. 21-24, 2010.