The Chamber of Manitowoc County has revealed the nominees for its annual Awards of Distinction.
Every year, the Chamber gives out ten awards to local businesses, non-profits, and individuals who have made a significant impact on the community.
The following awards will be presented:
Collaboration: Recognizes a Manitowoc County project, activity or event for its progress, success, innovation, and contribution to the community during 2025. The collaboration award is sponsored by: Van Horn Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Manitowoc. The Collaboration Award nominees are:
Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program: Mishicot High School, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and UW-Green Bay
Credit Unions in Schools: UnitedOne Credit Union and Manitowoc Public School District
The Great Neshotah Beach Campout: City of Two Rivers, Two Rivers Public Schools, Scout Troop 925, and the Two Rivers Optimist Club
Manitowoc County Collaborative Food Distribution Network: The Salvation Army, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Lakeshore CAP
Manitowoc County Safe Haven Baby Box Initiative: CASA of East Central Wisconsin, The Crossing of Manitowoc County, The Manitowoc Fire Department, The Manitowoc County District Attorney’s Office, Knights of Columbus, Manitowoc County Human Services and the Two Rivers Police Department
Rebuilding Lives: Fox Communities Credit Union, The Haven, Hope House of Manitowoc County and the Manitowoc-Two Rivers YMCA
School-Based Psychotherapy Collaboration: The Production Farm and Reedsville School District
Sexual Assault Awareness Month Fun Run: InCourage and Manitowoc Lincoln High School Alliance Against Sexual Assault Members
Summer Food Program: Boys & Girls Club of Manitowoc County, Grow It Forward and Two Rivers Public School District
Youth Apprenticeship Program: CESA 6 – Inspire/Youth Apprenticeship, Manitowoc Lincoln High School, Manitowoc Lutheran High School, Roncalli High School and Two Rivers High School
Education Impact: Recognizes an exceptionally dedicated educator who impacted parents, students or the community beyond the scope of the classroom in 2025 while integrating business and community resources to enhance student learning opportunities. The Education Impact award nominees are:
Tracy Bauer, School District of Mishicot
Renate Blennert, Manitowoc Public School District
Jamie Brantmeier, CESA 7
Angela Campion, Boys & Girls Club of Manitowoc County
Mary Doran, Manitowoc Public School District
Cory Erlandson, School District of Mishicot
Tara Foytik, Manitowoc Public School District
Jacob Haag, Two Rivers Public School District
Hannah Koechel, Manitowoc Public School District
Emilie Lindemann, Lakeshore College
Lainey Longmeyer, Manitowoc Public School District
Michael Longmeyer, Manitowoc Public School District
Renee Mahloch, Manitowoc Public School District
Joshua Moreau, Manitowoc Public School District
Erin Otte-Meyer, Manitowoc Public School District
Christopher Peterson, Manitowoc Public School District
Kyle Resch, Valders Area School District
Ben Ruechel, Manitowoc Public School District
Michele Schiltz, Manitowoc Public School District
Heidi Schroderus, Manitowoc Public School District
Janet Schuster, Manitowoc Public School District
Dayna Shavlik, Manitowoc Public School District
Melanie Shimek, Manitowoc Public School District
Molly Stolp, CESA 6 – Inspire/Youth Apprenticeship
See ViXai Thao, Manitowoc Public School District
Lisa Van Hefty, School District of Mishicot
Large Business of the Year: Recognizes a Manitowoc County business (100+ Employees) for its growth, success, innovation and contribution to the community during 2025. The award is sponsored by: UnitedOne Credit Union. The Large Business of the Year Award nominees are:
Alliance Laundry Systems
Aurora Medical Center Manitowoc County
Eck Industries
Felician Village
Lakeshore College
Manitowoc Public School District
North Ridge Health & Rehabilitation Center
Redline Plastics
School District of Mishicot
Walmart Supercenter
Medium Business of the Year: Recognizes a Manitowoc County Business (26-99 Employees) for its growth, success, innovation and contribution to the community during 2025. This award is sponsored by: Fox Communities Credit Union. The Medium Business of the Year Award nominees are:
Beamaco
Burger Boat Company
Carmeuse Americas – Manitowoc Operation
Carron Net Company
Kohler Credit Union
Manitowoc Marina
Memorial Drive Veterinary Clinic
The Metal Ware Corporation
Orion Energy Systems, Inc
Shoreline Hometown Credit Union
Time Out Sports Bar & Grill
Towsleys
UnitedOne Credit Union
Non-Profit Organization of the Year: Recognizes a Manitowoc County Non-Profit Organization for its dedication to serving our communities. The Non-Profit Organization of the year is sponsored by: Fricke Printing Service. The Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award Nominees are:
Ant Hill Mob
Ascend Services, Inc
Big Brothers Big Sisters WI Shoreline
Boys & Girls Club of Manitowoc County
CASA of East Central Wisconsin
Crossfire Ranch, Inc
Goodwill NCW
Grow It Forward Inc.
Hygeia Corp. Mobile Dentistry
InCourage
Lakeshore College Foundation
Lakeshore Foster Families & Friends
Manitowoc-Two Rivers YMCA
The Masquers, Inc
Peter’s Pantry
PINK HEALS Manitowoc County WI
The Production Farm
Rahr-West Art Museum
The Salvation Army
Wisconsin Maritime Museum
Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve
Small Business of the Year: Recognizes a Manitowoc County business (0-25 employees) for its growth, success, innovation and contribution to the community during 2025. The Small Business of the Year is sponsored by: Novak’s Service Center, LLC. The Small Business of the Year Award nominees are:
920 CBD + THC Dispensary
CENTURY 21 Aspire Group
Club Car Wash
Dunkin’ and Baskin Robbins
The Executive Concierge
Genesis Integrative Medicine
McMullen & Pitz Construction
Miller Highlights
Mueller Wealth
Ostrander Financial Group
Our Legacy Restaurant
Petskull Brewing Company
SP Group
Strand Adventures
Todd Glover Insurance and Financial Services
Young Professional (YP) of the Year: Honors a role model in career, community and future impact. The YP receiving this award excels in their career and has also left and will continue to leave a lasting footprint within the community through volunteer work. The award winner is selected from the 2025 Future 15 award winners. The Young Professional of the Year Award is sponsored by A.C.E. Building Service. The nominees for the Young Professional of the Year Award are:
Lauren Daun, Felician Village
Claudia Fischer, Manitowoc Public School District
Steven Haensgen, Shoreline Hometown Credit Union
Kali Hentges
Tanya Kakuk, Roncalli Catholic Schools
Kellyn Kiel, Carron Net Company
Amanda La Tour, Two Rivers Police Department
AJ Lorrigan, City of Two Rivers Parks and Recreation
Matthew Lutze, Two Rivers Police Department
Christina McGinnis, Lakeshore College
Colt Peterson, UScellular/Two Rivers Business Association
Briana Propson, Two Rivers Police Department
Samantha Reed, Eck Industries Inc.
Logan Rooney, Ascend Services Inc.
Frank Simac, Lakeshore Community Health Care
The following additional recognitions will be presented at the event:
Volunteer of the Year: This award honors an individual for going above and beyond as a Chamber, and community volunteer.
Athena: The Athena leadership award is presented to a woman — or man — who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. The Athena Award is sponsored by: Fricke Printing Service, Steimle Birschbach, Christine Kornely, Independent cabi Stylist, Manitowoc Noon Rotary in Memory of Bob Pietroske and Past Athena Winners.
Joseph P. Schmitt “Speak Up” Award: The Speak Up award was established in 1967; and was later renamed the Joseph P. Schmitt award to honor the late Chamber Executive Joseph P. Schmitt. This award recognizes an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the quality of life for citizens of Manitowoc County over a period of time.
For more information or to purchase your ticket, visit ChamberManitowocCounty.org.
