Awards of Distinction 2024

Additional sponsors for the event include:  Red Carpet Sponsor, Aurora Health Care Manitowoc County; Spotlight Sponsors:  Cellcom, Lakeshore Technical College and SeehaferNews.com; Hospitality Sponsor:  A.C.E. Building Service; and Ensemble Sponsor:  Manitowoc Ice.

The following awards will be presented:

Collaboration: Recognizes a Manitowoc County project, activity or event for its progress, success, innovation, and contribution to the community during 2023.  The collaboration award is sponsored by: Van Horn Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Manitowoc.  The Collaboration Award nominees are:

Cardboard City
Central Park West 365 Project
Empty Bowls
Ethnicfest
Fourth on the Shore
Healthiest Manitowoc County Substance Use Prevention Coalition
School-Based Mental Health Care
SPARK! Program
The Upstanders-Community Film Presentation
Wisconsin Sand Sculpting Festival
Women’s Summit

Education Impact: Recognizes an exceptionally dedicated educator who impacts parents, students, or the community beyond the scope of the classroom while integrating business and community resources to enhance student learning opportunities.  The Education Impact award nominees are:

Renate Blennert, Manitowoc Public School District
Michelle Christman, Manitowoc Public School District
Molly Dixon, Manitowoc Public School District
Molly Johnson, Manitowoc Public School District
Matthew Kadow, Manitowoc Public School District
Joshua Moreau, Manitowoc Public School District
Rebekah Nyenhuis, Manitowoc Public School District
Ben Ruechel, Manitowoc Public School District
Jenny Schneider, Two Rivers Public Schools
Jennifer Wachowski, School District of Mishicot

Healthy Workplace: Recognizes a Manitowoc County organization for its focus and commitment to promoting a safe and healthy work environment. The Healthy Workplace award is sponsored by: Prevea Health.  The Health Workplace award nominees are:

Americollect
Balance on Buffalo
Carmeuse Americas Manitowoc Operation
Eck Industries
Lakeland Care, Inc.

Large Business/Industry of the Year: Recognizes a Manitowoc county business (26+ Employees) for its growth, success, innovation and contribution to the community during 2023. The award is sponsored by: UnitedOne Credit Union.  The Large Business/Industry of the Year Award nominees are:

Americollect
Aurora Health Care Manitowoc County
Bank First
Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.
Burger Boat Company
Eck Industries Inc
Manitowoc Marina
Manitowoc Tool & Manufacturing, LLC
Redline Plastics
Robinson Inc.
Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry

Non-Profit Organization of the Year: Recognizes a Manitowoc county Non-Profit Organization for its dedication to serving the community at-large. The Non-Profit Organization of the year is sponsored by: Fricke Printing Service.  The Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award Nominees are:

Ant Hill Mob
Big Brothers Big Sisters WI Shoreline
CASA of East Central Wisconsin
The Crossing of Manitowoc County
Dillon Mueller Memorial Fund
Grow It Forward
Gumby’s Club Fore a Cure
Hope House of Manitowoc County
InCourage
Lakeland Care, Inc.
Lakeshore Foster Families and Friends
Lighthouse Recovery Community Center
Manitowoc Noon Rotary
Manitowoc Public Library
Manitowoc Sunrise Rotary
NAMI Manitowoc County
Painting Pathways Clubhouse
The Production Farm
Rahr-West Art Museum
Two Rivers Main Street
United Way Manitowoc County

Small Business of the Year: Recognizes a Manitowoc county business (Less than 25 employees) for its growth, success, innovation and contribution to the community during 2023. The Small Business of the Year is sponsored by: Americollect.  The Small Business of the Year Award nominees are:

Bartow Builders
Fricke Printing Service
Lang’s Appliance
Novak’s Service Center
Ostrander Financial Group
PetSkull Brewing Co. LLC
Summit Clinical Services

Young Professional (YP) of the Year: Honors a role model in career, community and future impact. The YP receiving this award excels in their career and has also left and will continue to leave a lasting footprint within the community through volunteer work. The award winner is selected from the 2023 Future 15 award winners. The Young Professional of the Year Award is sponsored by: Associated Bank.  The nominees for the Young Professional of the Year Award are:

Kelsey Beaver, Bank First
Ryan Brahmstadt, Seehafer Broadcasting Corporation
Megan Bruckschen, Felician Village
Katrina Buechner, Culver’s
Daniel Butler, Two Rivers Public School District
Erika Christel, Visit Manitowoc
Melissa DeSwarte, Americollect, Inc
Kayla Johnson, Lakeshore Community Health Care
Lainey Longmeyer, Manitowoc Public School District
Adam Rathsack, Americollect, Inc
Ashley Reigles, Ascend Services
Rachel Sachse, Roncalli Catholic Schools
Shawn Scola, Eis Implement
Donna Vankham, UnitedOne Credit Union
Genesis Wilda, Seehafer Broadcasting Corporation

The following additional recognitions will be presented at the event:

Volunteer of the Year: This award honors an individual for going above and beyond as a Chamber, and community volunteer. The Volunteer of the Year is sponsored by: Ansay & Associates.

Athena: The Athena leadership award is presented to a woman — or man — who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.  The Athena Award is sponsored by: Fricke Printing Service, Steimle Birschbach, the Tower Company and Past Athena Winners

Joseph P. Schmitt “Speak Up” Award:  This award was established in 1967 to honor the late Chamber Executive Joseph P. Schmitt.  This award recognizes an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the quality of life for citizens of Manitowoc County over a period of time.

For more information, please contact The Chamber of Manitowoc County at (920) 684-5575 or info@chambermanitowoccounty.org.