• Who We Are

  • The Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1899, is comprised of diverse member businesses and organizations who invest in the community to improve the economic, civic and cultural well-being of the Fort Atkinson area. We are a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization that represents the voice of businesses large and small in industry and manufacturing, restaurants and retail, professional services, lodging establishments, non-profits and service clubs, financial and educational institutions, and everything in between.

    By supporting the Chamber of Commerce, you are publicly stating you support local businesses and are active in the community. Chamber members are generally seen as the most reputable and socially responsible members of the business community.

    We are:

    • Your business connector
    • Your legislative advocate
    • Your source of professional growth
    • Your partner in workforce development
    • Your economic eco-system

     


  • Board of Directors

  • President

    Chris Scherer

    Owner, 2020 Evolve

    Send an email

  • President Elect

    John Kutz

    Co-owner and Vice President of Sales & Marketing, MSI General Corp

  • Secretary

    Shauna Wessely

    Director, Fort Atkinson Chamber of Commerce

  • Board Member

    Ryan Klopcic

    CEO, The Fireside Dinner Theatre

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  • Board Member

    Greg Klug

    Green Bay Packaging - Wisconsin Packaging Division

  • Board Member

    Karie Martin

    Jones Dairy Farm

  • Vice President

    Erin Patterson

    Owner, 10-62 Saloon, Paddy Coughlin's Pub, Paddy's Paws

  • Treasurer

    Tammy Garlock

    CPA, Business & Tax Systems LLC

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  • Retail Committee Chair

    Sarah Schultz
     

    North Shore Chophouse

  • Board Member

    Chris Martin

    Wealth Advisor, PremierBank

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  • Board Member

    Dr. Mike Anderson

    Fort Health

  • Ambassador Chair

    Sherry Stelse
     

    Realtor, Mike Foerster Real Estate Group

  • 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

    2006      Jack & Sharon Logan       Blackhawk Sr 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 and 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