Business Recognition Awards

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 

Pat Moody is a pillar of this community. He came to WSJM Radio in February of 1973…as News Director. He has also worked at WSJM & WIRX Radio as Radio Talk Show Host, Morning News Anchor, Morning Drive-Time Air Personality…Account Executive…Local Sales Manager…Regional Sales Manager…and Senior Account Executive until March of 1994.  For 20 years, continued as host of the “Moody in the Morning” Radio Show, weekdays from 5:30AM until 9AM, then proceeded to Cornerstone Alliance in full time role as Executive Vice President of the Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce. Returned to WSJM as Director of Market Development and Creator/Publisher of moodyonthemarket.com, a robust business news website in 2013. On air for 43 years at WSJM. Through the years Pat has remained engrained in the fabric of Southwest Michigan serving in NUMEROUS volunteer roles throughout the years. Pat Moody is indeed Mr. Southwest Michigan. It is our pleasure to be able to honor such a great man, a respected staple in Michigan’s Great Southwest, a friend to all.

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

The 2016 Nominees for this award were:
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 

Nominees for the Green Business Award will be evaluated on their commitment to protecting the environment in their workplace and have:

• 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.

The 2016 Nominees for this award were:
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.

1. Business should be at least one year in existence.
2. Entry is open only to those businesses classified as part of the retail or service industry. 

The 2016 Nominees for this award were:
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 

1. BUSINESS SIZE - Nominees must have more than 100 total employees to qualify.
2. RESPONSE TO ADVERSITY - Explain any major problem that might have been faced at the local facility emphasizing the response of local management and employees.
3. COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY - Address investment, employment growth and/or modernization of facilities in the local area.
4. CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY - Civic affiliations and accomplishments through the involvement of employees and management, or other company resources.

​The 2016 Nominees for this award were:
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:

1. STAYING POWER - The ability to survive during tough times
2. GROWTH IN NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES - A benchmark for the impact on the local economy and job market
3. INCREASE IN SALES - A benchmark for growth as an indication of management skill and ability
4. 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.]
5. PRODUCT, SERVICE AND METHOD INNOVATIONS - Illustrations of management’s creativity and imagination
6. RESPONSE TO ADVERSITY - Skills exhibited and solutions found to challenges that have been faced
7. 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!