BACKGROUND

The Economic Contribution Award was first awarded in 1973 and is regarded as the Chamber’s most prestigious award.

CRITERIA

To that person who has promoted the objectives of the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce in the area of economic and social development of the community.

AWARD

The award is an elegant engraved plaque presented at the Annual Dinner.  Nominations are solicited from the membership.  The selection is made by the Board of Directors.

RECIPIENTS OF THE ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION AWARD

1973 - Doris Masters/Gus Klatt

1974 - Bill Stark

1975 - Hugh Highsmith 

1976 - Harold Logan

1977 - Norm Godfrey 

1978 - Elmore Klement 

1979 - Dick Klopcic

1980 - Gordon Day 

1981 - Ben Beebe 

1982 - Gene Meyer

1983 - Ed Garthwait 

1984 - Bill Knox

1985 - Al Haukom

1986 - Jim Weiss

1987 - Sheldon Mielke

1988 - Moore’s Food Products

1989 - Arthur Nesbitt 

1990 - John McKenzie

1991 - Ted Batterman 

1992 - Joel Winn

1993 - Gary Schimek 

1994 - Leslie Family  

1995 - Joseph Tate 

1996 - Hartel Family

1997 - Dianne Hrobsky

1998 - John Neill

1999 - John Albaugh

2000 - Fort Atkinson School District

2001 - James Vance

2002 - Randall Knox 

2003 - FA Community Foundation 

2004 - Jones family 

2005 - Fort HealthCare 

2006 - John Wilmet 

2007 - Spacesaver Corporation 

2008 - Larry & Sherry Starkweather 

2009 - Steven Zimmerman

2010 - John Anderson/Steve Wiesmann

2011 - NASCO 

2012 - Dave Bienfang 

2013 - Digi-Star

2014 - Wisconsin Packaging Corp. 

2015 - Jones Dairy Farm 

2016 - Ball Corporation 

2017 - Fort Community Credit Union

2018 - Lumani/Beqiri Family

2019 - CBF Investments, LLC

BACKGROUND

The Small Business Person of the Year was developed in the 1980s following the guidelines from Small Business Association Awards. 

Small Business "Person of the Year" Award Background and History

General Qualifications

• Must be an independently owned, profit-making business enterprise, for at least the past five years.
• Must employ fewer than 50 full-time people
• Must be physically located in the Fort Atkinson area
• Must be a Fort Atkinson Chamber member in good standing

Selection Criteria

• Business Growth (increase in employees, square feet, revenue, or customer base)
• Innovation (new technology, creative sales and marketing approach, different product lines)
• Staying Power (length of time in business, proven record of success)
• Community and Chamber Involvement

Small Business Person of the Year Award History

1980      Doug Hartel       

              Bill Weh              

1988      Ted Batterman, Spacesaver

1990      Barb Congdon, Robin’s Nest

1991      Jim Vos, Sentry

1992      Tom Goyer, Ace Hardware

1993      Tim Humphrey, Humphrey Floral

1994      Randy Marion, Fort Vision Clinic

1995      Tom Gobel, Gobel & Bender

1996      Frank Brown, Badger Press

1997      Fred Negus Sr., Wisconsin Packaging

1998      Helmut Ajango, Helmut Ajango Architect

1999      Daryl Spoerl, Havill-Spoerl

2000      John Anderson & Steve Wiesmann, W&A Distribution

2001      Tom & Coral Becker, Subway

2002      Lee Jonas, Jonas Office Products

2003      Don & Bill Hausz, Hausz Bros.

2004      Mark McGlynn, IPEC

2005      Jack Blodgett, Blodgett Garden Center

2006      Jack & Sharon Logan, Blackhawk Senior Residence

2007      Harry Bos, Bos Design Builders

2008      Lee Moldenhauer, Wood Design

2009      Vince Kent, Abendroth Water

2010      Jon Tuttle, Tuttle’s Pharmacy

2011      Randy Schopen, Capn’s Steakhouse

2012      Kurt Chapman, Sport N Spine Clinic

2013      Dan Lecher, Frostie Freeze

2014      Jim Goyer, Ace Hardware

2015      Mike Bender, Bender, Kind & Stafford DDS

2016      Tammy Meinel, Beauty and the Bean

2017      Paul & Marsha Krueger, Krueger Jeweler

2018      Jim Hedrick, Badger Basement Systems

2019      Eli Cloute, Cloute, Inc.

2020      Erin Patterson, Paddy Coughlin’s Pub

2021      Lisa Tuttle Woods, Tuttle’s Hallmark

2022      Dave Stotesbery, Effortless Elegance LLC 

BACKGROUND

The Tourism Counts Award was first awarded in 1993 when one of the most important initiatives of the Chamber was to educate local people about the economic value of tourism.

CRITERIA

From that time on, the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce “Tourism Counts” Award has been presented to an individual, business or organization that, through their leadership and efforts, have made a difference in the development of tourism in our area.  The name of the award reflects the Chamber’s desire to impress upon the community that tourism does count in the bigger economic picture, and that it does impact the vitality of our city.

AWARD

The engraved plaque is presented annually.  Nominations are solicited from the membership and the Tourism Committee.  The past presidents are involved in the selection process.

TOURISM COUNTS AWARD RECIPIENTS

1993     The Fireside Dinner Theatre (Rick Klopcic)

1994     Roger Kriedeman

1995     Marilyn Thorndycraft

1996     Gus Klatt

1997     June Brandow (The Fireside)

1998     Mike & Debbie Rusch (Lamp Post Inn B&B)

1999     Don Schink

2000     The City of Fort Atkinson

2001     Hoard Historical Museum

2002     High Pointe Properties (Sandy Mayer)

2003     Fort Atkinson Beautification Council

2004     Jefferson County Bicycle Club

2005     Rudy Bushcott

2006     Holiday Inn Express

2007     Fort Community Foundation

2008     Dennis & Gerry Rybicke (LaGrange B&B)

2009     Steve Cline (Jellystone Park)

2010     Cynthia Holt (Farmer’s Market development)

2011     Fort Atkinson Generals Baseball

2012     Café Carpe

2013     Sue Zimmerman

2014     Koshkonong Mounds Country Club

2015     2 Rivers Bicycle and Outdoor

2016     Busy Barns Adventure Farm

2017     Joel Winn (Buckskinners Rendezvous)

2018     Friends of Lorine Neidecker

2019     Fort Atkinson Parks & Recreation

2020     Jim & Christa Bowers (Island Bar & Grill, North Shore Chophouse, The Bridge/Good 2 Go)

2021     Ryan & Kristi Klopcic

2022     W & A Distribution

CRITERIA

To that person and/or business that has contributed above and beyond usual service by providing special assistance to the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce.

Friend of the Chamber Service Award Background and History

The Friend of the Chamber Award originated in 1991 when Joel Winn was Chamber President.  The board of directors developed this award because there were so many people who deserved recognition for what they did for the chamber and most of them would not qualify for our three major awards: Economic Contribution Award, Small Business Person of the Year Award, Tourism Counts Award

In 1991, the award was a commemorative pottery bowl from Rowe Pottery.  It was presented to the following recipients at the Fall Outing in Bi-Centennial Park.

Jefferson County Advertiser:  was recognized for giving a professional image to our annual meeting, our senior seminars and countless special functions.  The Advertiser has been one of the “unsung heroes” of the chamber for providing composition time and programs at no charge for chamber events during the past 21 years.

Daily Jefferson County Union:  Winn said “The Chamber believes that our enviable recognition as an outstanding Wisconsin chamber and a leader within Fort Atkinson is the result of our valued relationship and endless cooperation from our daily newspaper.  W.D. Hoard and Sons has supported chamber efforts and positions in the media as well as financially and has provided volunteers on chamber committees and on its board of directors.  All of this represents untotaled financial dollars to chamber projects and programs and inches and inches of free publicity, as well as budget-stretching rates for promotional advertising.

Opportunities, Inc:  Another long time provider of printing and volunteer leadership to the chamber.  They should be applauded for their contribution to the economic stability of the handicapped and public service to other area organizations.  They were also recognized for their involvement in the Senior Class Seminar, Eighth grade Business Awareness Program, ambassador organization and chamber board of directors.

WFAW:  Thanked for providing public relation exposure for the chamber through news, talk shows, special promotional spots and ongoing financial and volunteer help.  Remote broadcasts from special chamber functions have provided big time publicity, benefiting numerous events from sales promotions, bridal shows, dairy breakfasts, candidate forums and others.  WFAW volunteers have served on chamber committees and manned the retail committee’s brat stand on Fridays during the annual July Carnival Days.

Gordy Day:  The chamber recognized Day for his continuing support of our chamber goals, projects and service on endless committees, as well as his insight on community needs and good suggestions for how our organization can best address them.

Al Haukom:  was feted for giving his time promoting the economic growth of Fort Atkinson as a chamber member and committee person.

The award was not given again until 1997 when the board of directors determined that the award should be reinstated.   Committee members were Donna Abel, Tom Goyer, Joni Schultz, Gregg Patrick and Dianne Hrobsky.

They used the same rationale that this award would be a way to recognize people who do much for the organization but might never qualify to receive one of the chamber’s 3 top awards.

Nominees were presented to the committee by chamber staff and board members.  As the years went on, nominations came from the chamber’s many committees, board members and staff.  Staff works with each president on the recognitions.

1997    John McKenzie – For years of work to bring a health insurance program to our chamber.

1997    Steve Seaman- For designing the chamber’s first web site.

1997    Roger & Denise Kriedeman – For years of volunteer efforts in Tourism

1998    Steve Zimmerman –  Education projects leadership & facilitating Project LEAD

1998    Mary Heagney – Dairy Breakfast leadership

1998    Sheldon Mielke – Partnering with chamber on economic development

1998    Vickie Raatz – Dairy Breakfast leadership

1998    Bob Martin – cooperation and partnership (city/chamber)

1998    Vern Falk – Dairy Breakfast leadership

1999    Don Schink – Development of tourism/room tax

1999    Shirley Brown – Dairy Breakfast leadership

1999    Leo Roethe –  help with chamber history

1999    Tom Goyer – Dairy Breakfast leadership

1999    Tom Belzer – Song writing and performing for chamber

1999    EDUCATOR – Jerry McGowan for facilitating Project LEAD (2 years)

1999    EDUCATOR – Jerry Keiser for facilitating Project LEAD (2 years)

2000    Carolyn Burtch – Wedding Fair leadership

2000    Vince Kent – Home Show leadership

2000    Joni Schultz – Education projects leadership

2000    Mark Maas – Plowing parking lot every year @ no charge

2000    Harley Peterson – Golf outing leadership

2000    EDUCATOR   - Melody Wachter for partnership with 8th Grade Project Business

2001    Chamber’s new Quality of Life Book (completely done in house)

                        Brian and Heidi Saunders

                        Al Haukom

                        Eve Horton

                        Sally O’Brien

                        Gary Gramley

2001    Kim Patrick – Christmas Parade leadership

2001    Jim Vance – Contributions in numerous chamber projects that insure success

2001    EDUCATOR – Jeff Zaspel for facilitating Project LEAD (2 years)

2002    Bob Selberg – years as treasurer converting our big black ledger book

2002    Gary Moen – LEAD Facilitator

2002    Mark Zastrow – LEAD Facilitator

2003    EDUCATOR – Rick Looze for working with us on numerous projects over his career

2004    EDUCATOR – Vern Jordan for partnering with chamber on school to work initiatives

2005    Jim Callies – for assistance with computer technology, etc.

2006    Lynn Forseth – MATC for assisting with our school/business and training programs

2007    Dr. James Fitzpatrick – for assisting with our school/business efforts & Project LEAD

2008    Cynthia Holt & Beth Gehred – for coordinating the Farmers Market

2008    Joel Winn – appeared in Buckskinners video for Discover Wisconsin

2009   

2010    Tony Bolz – LEAD Facilitator

2011   

2012    Helen Rose – Administrative Secretary for the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation

2012    Elene Wagner – for chairing the Holiday Parade for 10 years

2012    Dan Lansing – for assisting with the Chamber Brat Stand, FBLA, Rhythm on the River, Wine & Stein

2013    Maria Perez

2014

2015    Jim Callies, CompuFort – for assisting with all our computer problems

2016    Michael Clish – for being a constant promoter of Fort Atkinson

2017    Chris Brown – for all his years as stage manager at Rhythm on the River

2018    Chris Scherer – for all the technology, music, and entertainment he provides at chamber functions

2019    Brandon Housley – for recruiting four new members and being a super volunteer at our farmer's market

2020    

2021    Alisha Bade - Fort Farmers Market 

2022    Tammy Schwartz - for mentoring new staff and providing accounting advice