The Chamber of Manitowoc County has honored several businesses, non-profits, and people who were a major part of the community over the past year.
The annual Awards of Distinction ceremony was held at the Capitol Civic Center Thursday night (February 13th), where eleven awards were handed out.
Kicking off the evening was the Healthy Workplace award, which recognizes a business, organization, or program that helped promote health, wellness, or safety in our community.
Orion Energy Systems was named the recipient, specifically due to the culture of safety the company has promoted at all of its locations.
Carrie Mueller with Orion Manitowoc told Seehafernews.com that the award is dedicated to the staff.
“It’s really their daily commitment to it that really leads to our success,” she explained. “Because we can have all the plans in the world, but if we don’t have the great team members to execute that every day and think about it every day, we wouldn’t be here.”
The Chamber also honored someone you have likely seen at pretty much every event in the Manitowoc area.
RaeAnn Thomas was named the Volunteer of the Year. RaeAnn, who is a member of the Visit Manitowoc team, has given her time at numerous Chamber events, and is a vital piece of the City of Manitowoc’s tourism department.
When asked what motivates her, Thomas simply said, “I think just giving back to your community and being part of a community that truly cares.”
Earning the Athena Award for 2024 was Alison Petri.
This award typically goes to a woman who portrays professional excellence, and community service and actively assists women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.
Petri is a Partner at Steimle Birschbach Attorneys at Law, and has a focus on being honest with everyone she works with.
Like many winners, she was shocked to get the award but says her love of volunteering is part of being in the community.
“Currently, I’m on the board for Ascend Services and Lakeshore CAP,” she described. “I’m also on the board at Uptown Social down in Sheboygan County. But I’ve also volunteered and been a part of the board at InCourage and other organizations here in Manitowoc County.”
The Young Professional of the Year Award was presented by two previous winners, Terry Stevenson and Ryan Brahm from Seehafer Broadcasting.
They presented the award to Two Rivers’ Park and Recreation Director Mike Mathis, who has been the leading charge in many transformative projects in the city since taking over the role, including the massive Central Park West 365 project.
After being in the role for two years, Mathis says his favorite project so far isn’t about a park, but about building his staff.
“We’ve been through a lot together,” he stated. “We’ve got a really solid team. I think our reputation as a whole as a department has really drastically improved and it’s because we’re working together and making good things happen.”
It was a great night for Steimle Birschbach, as they were also named the Small Business of the Year.
Over the past 15 years, Steimle Birschbach has served over 6,000 clients and achieved an impressive annual growth rate of 9%, far exceeding industry norms.
The firm now employs 18 team members, including seven attorneys, with plans to expand further.
Attorney Andrew Steimle says the group is proud to represent the clients.
“One of the things that we’re so proud of is the clients that we represent in this community and Sheboygan,” Steimle explained. “Just some phenomenal companies and some phenomenal individuals, so it feels great.”
Earning the Large Business/Industry of the Year Award was Kohler Credit Union.
While they are based in Sheboygan County, roughly 20% of its customers reside in Manitowoc County and have added three new branches through the merger with Shipbuilders Credit Union.
This strategic move increased their footprint to four branches in Manitowoc County and added 29 local employees.
Makejenko with Kohler said as employees of the credit union, they are here for the members but also want to dedicate their time to the community.
“I think that one thing that is really important is to continue to dedicate people and resources,” he explained. “Money is one thing but actually having boots on the ground, that’s so important. And we really believe that strongly.”
The Collaboration Award went to both The Production Farm and the Manitowoc Public School District for their program known as Learning Unboxed.
The program helps address the rising need for mental health support, especially in our community’s youth population.
Originating from a shared mission to support student well-being, the program is sustained through school district contributions and community grants, making it a model for mental health innovation.
Wyatt Kuether, Executive Director of The Production Farm, told SeehaferNews.com, “We do a para-program where we work one-on-one with the students and then we do a variety of group programming as well. Which we’ve been able to do a bunch of those different things with the school district which has been truly amazing.”
The Non-Profit of the Year Award went to an organization that has expanded to one of the leading fighters in the battle against food insecurity in just 10 years, Grow it Forward.
Founder Amber Daugs grew the organization to the point where it serves over 1,900 individuals annually through its food pantry.
Grow it Forward also houses Hip Juice, and opened up Harmony Café in Downtown Manitowoc.
Executive Director Amber Daugs explained that after 10 years, that still are focused on their mission to provide good-quality and healthy food for those in need.
“We are putting a stronger emphasis on growing food this year, based on that growing need,” she elaborated. “And you’ll be seeing a lot more of us of course in the community at things like the Farmers Market and Night Market. And of course, at Harmony Café.”
Katrina Cottraeu of Americollect received the Service Excellence Award.
She was said the be “an exceptional professional whose dedication, problem-solving skills, and compassion make a real impact on both patients and healthcare providers.”
Her attitude was also praised, specifically how she treats everyone with professionalism and respect.
While she couldn’t attend, her boss, Angela Camacho, explained what makes her the best pick for the award.
Camacho said, “She goes above and beyond. She’s there to help everyone else within the team. And she really, really always puts the patient first. And that’s what makes her deliver such a great experience to everyone that she deals with.”
The Education Impact Award went to Wilson Middle School Principal Anna Beatty.
Her leadership has been vital in fostering an inclusive environment where every student thrives.
Her commitment to celebrating diversity is evident in the school’s first-ever culture fair, where students explored 23 different cultures, and through initiatives like world kindness day, which promotes service and empathy.
She tells Seehafernews.com that while she’s not a fan of all the attention, but said she’s proud of the students for the volunteer work they’ve done.
“So they worked with a variety of businesses,” Beatty outlined. “They went to some nursing homes. They connected with other elementary schools. They did some raking within the neighborhood of our school too.”
Closing out the night was the Joseph P. Schmidt “Speak Up” Award.
This award was established over 35 years ago to honor the late Chamber Executive Joseph P. Schmitt and recognizes an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the quality of life for citizens of Manitowoc County over a period of time.
This year’s winner was Peggy Pitz from Manitowoc Symphony Orchestra.
Pitz explained that she wanted to volunteer for the Chamber when she could.
“Believe in the community,” Pitz clarified. “I actually grew up here, but then left and came back here in 1999 and immediately got involved in the chamber and everything that they do.”
