Business Recognition Awards
:​Congratulations to our 2017 Business Recognition Award Recipients
Young Business Leader of the Year Award
Alex Schaeffer- Kruggel Lawton CPAs
Small Business of the Year Award
Lark's Bar-B-Que
Excellence in Customer Service Award
M&W Tire Company
Green Business of the Year & Economic Impact Award
Whirlpool Corporation
Ambassador of the Year Award
Donna Hill, Attitudes Salon
The Pat Moody Award
Jay Costas, Silver Beach Pizza
Cornerstone Alliance Economic Growth Award
Honor Credit Union
Young Business Leader of the Year Award
Alex Schaeffer- Kruggel Lawton CPAs
Small Business of the Year Award
Lark's Bar-B-Que
Excellence in Customer Service Award
M&W Tire Company
Green Business of the Year & Economic Impact Award
Whirlpool Corporation
Ambassador of the Year Award
Donna Hill, Attitudes Salon
The Pat Moody Award
Jay Costas, Silver Beach Pizza
Cornerstone Alliance Economic Growth Award
Honor Credit Union
Award Details & 2016 Nominees
The Pat Moody Award
Someone making their mark in the community. Can be company or individual.
- Longevity 10+ years in business STAYING POWER - The ability to survive during tough times
- Customer Service- consistently exceeds the customer’s expectations.
- COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT - Civic accomplishments or affiliations through the use of personal time and resources
The 2016 Nominees for this award were:
Abonmarche Consultants, Inc.
Al Pscholka
Bud Distributing
Chemical Bank
Honor Credit Union
Horizon Bank
Larks BBQ
Café Mosaic
Professional Hearing Services
Servpro of Berrien County Michigan
Silver Beach Pizza
Slumberland Furniture
Taylor Rental/Party Plus
Young Business Leader of the Year Award
Recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of a highly motivated, emerging leader of the community.
- Nominee should demonstrate excellence, creativity, and show initiative/leadership in their field, company or profession.
- Applicant shall clearly serve as a role model for others personally and professionally.
- Must be between the ages of 21-40 years old.
- At least 1 or more years of professional experience in your current career.
- Dedicated time and effort in education/career development programs to achieve a higher level of knowledge and expertise in field of business
- Involved in community, civic, church or charitable activities in a leadership role
Dr. Sandy Martin -All Star Family Chiropractic
Kait Mayne -Competitive Edge
Tracy- Ann Jennings- Emergency Shelter Services
Alex Schaeffer- Kruggel Lawton CPAs (formerly Schaffer & Layher, PLLC)
Zack East- Mid-West Family Broadcasting
Olivia Starks- Starks Family Funeral Homes
Chris Mason- Watermark Brewing Company LLC
The Green Business Award
- Implement the Four R’s: Reuse...reduce...recycle...and rethink...
- Show sustainable, measurable energy conservation and or water conservation.
- Participate in climate change through greenhouse gas reduction initiatives.
- Substantially exhibit visible, meaningful, environmental protection efforts.
- Work diligently to create and build awareness on Green issues.
- Exhibit meaningful wildlife protection or enhancement.
- Play an active, substantive role in fundraising toward environmental projects.
- Incorporate green building design elements. Show sustainable, measurable waste reduction/increased recycling efforts.
- Incorporate the ‘Triple Bottom Line’ into their framework/corporate responsibility: Social, Environmental, & Financial
- Made a difference in the workplace.
- Maintained environmental practices.
- Promoted or encouraged environmental practices.
- Demonstrated leadership for the environment.
- Developed transferable projects that can be replicated by other organizations.
Boelcke Heating & AC
Mason Jar
Michigan's Great Southwest Sustainable Business Forum
Mosaic Resale Store
Whirlpool
Excellence in Customer Service Award
The ability of an organization to continually and consistently exceed the customer’s expectations.
- Business should be at least one year in existence.
- Entry is open only to those businesses classified as part of the retail or service industry.
All Star Family Chiropractic
Bread+Bar by Bit of Swiss
Celebration! Cinema
Flag Star Bank
M & W Tire, Inc.
Mason Jar Cafe
Mid-West Family Broadcasting
Oxi Fresh
Waterfront Framing & Fine Art
Silver Beach Carousel
Economic Impact Award
- BUSINESS SIZE - Nominees must have more than 100 total employees to qualify.
- RESPONSE TO ADVERSITY - Explain any major problem that might have been faced at the local facility emphasizing the response of local management and employees.
- COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY - Address investment, employment growth and/or modernization of facilities in the local area.
- CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY - Civic affiliations and accomplishments through the involvement of employees and management, or other company resources.
Edgewater Automation
Kay Manufacturing
Lakeland Health
Whirlpool Corporation
Small Business of the Year Award
These awards are presented annually to the businessperson in each sector of our economy who has demonstrated top management skills and leadership. The business must have no more than 100 employees. The selection will be based on the following criteria:
- STAYING POWER - The ability to survive during tough times
- GROWTH IN NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES - A benchmark for the impact on the local economy and job market
- INCREASE IN SALES - A benchmark for growth as an indication of management skill and ability
- FINANCIAL STATUS - Evidence of fiscal responsibility and viability [Confidential data need not be disclosed. Partial data with confirmation statements from auditors and/or accountants will be acceptable.]
- PRODUCT, SERVICE AND METHOD INNOVATIONS - Illustrations of management’s creativity and imagination
- RESPONSE TO ADVERSITY - Skills exhibited and solutions found to challenges that have been faced
- COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND ENTERPRISE - Civic accomplishments or affiliations through the use of personal time and resources
The 2016 Nominees for this award were:
Abonmarche Consultants, Inc.
Freedom Finishing
Giannola Investments
Jim Roberts Enterprises
JohnsonRauhoff
Kilwins
Lakeshore Petroleum
Larks Barbecue
Servpro of Berrien County Michigan
Thayer Products
Ace Hardware
Local businesses and business professionals were recognized by their colleagues at the 2017 Business Recognition Breakfast of the Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce & Cornerstone Alliance on Thursday, February 9, 2017. The joint event was held at the Mendel Center for the Arts and Technology at Lake Michigan College with more than 550 people in attendance with Michigan's Governor Rick Snyder as the key-note speaker. The event was sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Lake Michigan College, Indiana Michigan Power, Slumberland Furniture, and United Federal Credit Union.
Special thanks to Pat Moody and WSJM Inc, Congressman Fred Upton and Governor Rick Snyder our speaker, Bill Langben our photographer and videographer, Julie Nitz for designing the program, Competitive Edge for helping make the new awards, Mike Nadolski for being such a wonderful emcee, the entire LMC Mendel Center team for putting on such a great breakfast, and everyone who helped make this such a successful celebration!
If you would like more information, please contact the Chamber at 269-932-4040.