It may seem like a small innovation, but few had done it before. Don Floberg made a habit of carrying a Polaroid instant camera to snap pictures of the houses he listed so customers would have the opportunity to see what the property looked like.

“Nobody had done that before. I was making waves in town by carrying this funny-looking camera,” said Floberg, who founded a one-man real estate office soon after moving to Billings in 1959.

“For my first office, I rented a construction shack for the Buttrey Shopping Center,” at 13th Street West and Grand Avenue. “It was the end of town in those days,” Floberg said.

Marilyn Floberg moved to Billings from North Dakota a few years later and taught math. After she and Don were married in 1968, she left the school district but didn’t entirely give up teaching. In the early ’70s, the state of Montana had begun to enforce licensing standards for real estate agents, but many of the applicants failed the exam. She developed a curriculum to help prospective real estate agents learn the business. Besides teaching real estate classes, she wrote a textbook that was sold nationally and remained in use for many years.

Fifty years later, the real estate office, now known as Prudential Floberg Realtors, has grown and prospered. And the Flobergs have taken on a variety of community-oriented causes, including education, health care and economic development.

The Flobergs are this year’s recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award for the third annual Roche Jaune Awards for Business Excellence presented by the Billings Chamber of Commerce. A reception takes place at 6:30 tonight at the Alberta Bair Theater.

Here are the other recipients of the Roche Jaune awards and reasons given for their selection.

• Civic Leadership Excellence. The Billings Police Department. “Despite internal issues that may tend to overshadow this department, it cannot be forgotten that these men and women are tremendous and committed individuals who serve and protect Billings residents and businesses,” wrote the nominator.

• Education Excellence. Don Gleason, a teacher and certified trainer at West High, has helped students take care of themselves for 27 years. “Don is a very humble man and a kindred spirit who helps me and my teammates with everything from tape jobs to family therapy,” a nominator wrote.

• Businessperson of the Year. Michael Schaer, owner of Computers Unlimited, was honored for finding a unique niche in the computer software market and is one of the great success stories in Billings business. He was instrumental in redeveloping the area surrounding historic Montana Avenue.

• Healthcare Excellence. St. Vincent Healthcare Northern Rockies Radiation Oncology Center. The center was honored for the compassion that its staff shows patients. “The staff goes above and beyond to be sure fears are calmed and the extra mile is taken,” a nominator wrote.

• Salesperson Excellence. Lee Humphrey, Edward Jones, Downtown Billings. Humphrey was honored for giving exemplary customer service and support. Humphrey hosts monthly, free financial educational seminars, which include guest speakers. He is also active in a variety of nonprofit groups including the Downtown Billings Association, the Chamber and Rotary.

• Tourism Excellence. Western Romance Co. received this award for its specialized Western-style vacations. Jonathan, Dennis, and Norma McNiven offer a variety of events, including horseback riding and campfire dinners.

• Customer Service Excellence. The Boothill Inn and Suites Front Desk Team. Shelli Mann, the general manager of the Boothill Inn and Suites, submitted hundreds of customer service reply forms that mentioned the excellent customer service provided by the team.

• Employer of the Year. Whitewood Transport Inc. The staff holds owners Mike Wilson and John Hanson in high regard. Staff members are involved in many trucking and carrier associations. But Whitewood Transport also supports Eagle Mount, Special K Ranch and other charities.

• Supervisor/Manager of the Year. Mark Dawson of Century 21 Hometown Brokers, “is constantly working to improve how he operates our business,” a nominator wrote. Another wrote: “His positive outlook on life creates a work environment that makes you want to be the best you can be.”

• Youth Volunteer of the Year. Volunteering at the Billings Clinic over the past two summers, Damon Wanchena has contributed more time to Billings Clinic patients than any other youth volunteer. “He is dedicated, prompt and accountable to all,” according to his nominator.

• Adult Volunteer of the Year. Dr. Steven Butler and Lucinda Butler have dedicated countless hours to the Rimrock Opera Company. They serve as president and vice president of the Rimrock Opera Board, and their efforts include finding sponsors to locating stage furniture. They also help expose thousands of school children to opera by coordinating school tours.

• Agriculture Excellence. Butch Bratsky, senior banking executive, Stockman Bank. Bratsky is involved in a wide variety of agriculture-related organizations, including the NILE, the Chase Hawks Memorial Association, the Future Farmers of America and the Billings Chamber/CVB Ag Committee. Stockman Bank President and CEO Bill Coffee refers to him as, “A local boy, a cowboy, a banker, a businessperson, a community volunteer, a civic leader and most importantly a true Montanan.”