Business Council Honors Area Firms & Individuals at Annual Dinner

Two Portage County businesses and two leaders in our county’s business community were singled out for honors on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at the Portage County Business Council’s Annual Dinner. The event was held at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center, 1001 Amber Avenue, Stevens Point with a record crowd of over 355 people! Each year Business Council members, guests and dignitaries gather to celebrate the best of the best in volunteers, businesses, government, and non-profit organizations. The Annual Dinner is a celebration of past accomplishments and it is an opportunity to recognize the achievements of the past year. We thank all those that attended the event, to our sponsors and to our silent auction contributors. Your support is greatly appreciated!

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Ambassador of the Year

Sarah Agena

The Portage County Business Council has named Sarah Agena as the 2015 Ambassador of the Year.

Sarah has been active in the Ambassador Club since 2010. Her enthusiasm and dedication towards volunteering for the Portage County Business Council is outstanding! She was one of five Ambassadors that accumulated the most points during the year by attending business events such as ribbon cuttings, grand openings, ground breaking ceremonies, Business After Hours and many other events, visits to new and existing businesses, monthly meetings, and she serves as the clubs Vice Chairperson. She has definitely exceeded the membership requirements of the Ambassador Club and was voted on by her Ambassador Friends as our Ambassador of the Year!

Members of this enthusiastic group generally lend a hand whenever they see something that needs doing. Last year alone, Sarah and the entire Club gave back over 1,600 hours of volunteer time just for the Portage County Business Council.

Besides her involvement with the Business Council, Sarah gives back to the community in many ways. She has been involved with the Plover Walk to End Alzheimer’s and was recently chair of the committee, and is President Elect for the Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Helping to promote area businesses has and will continue to be a passion for Sarah. She also loves to be outdoors and would much rather be riding her mountain bike around the state than sitting in her office. Sarah also loves to cook and spending time with family, friends and her boyfriend Gabe.

If you are interested in joining the Ambassadors Club or just want to hear more about it, contact Karen Schanock at the Business Council or email at kschanoc@portagecountybiz.com.

Congratulations Sarah!

Small Business of the Year

Marten Machining

Marten Machining, owners Alan and Debra Marten received the 2015 Small Business of the Year Award.

The award is chosen based on:

Sales growth
Employment growth
Customer service
Community service
Leadership involvement
Innovative efforts adapting to marketplace changes

Marten Machining has experienced steady growth since 1984, which can be attributed to community support, an ongoing goal to provide exceptional levels of customer service, precision work and retention of the best staff!

Marten Machining designs, manufactures and tests precision tooling, fixtures and specialized machine parts that streamline the manufacturing process. Formed in 1984, Marten Machining is a collection of highly trained individuals with years of experience and training.

All of their employees – 20 full time and 5 part time have grown up, and gone to school is Central Wisconsin. Marten Machining credits our local school systems including SPASH, Pacelli, Mid-State Technical College and UWSP for being able to stay in business successfully.

They also credit the Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship program, which they have worked with over 18 Youth Apprentice students for 20 plus years. They currently have 4 youth apprentice students from SPASH and 1 from Pacelli. In addition, they have been participating with the local Heavy Metal Tours which introduce middle school students to manufacturing businesses in the area.

Ongoing commitment to the community is evident through donations, involvement and support to many organizations including, but not limited to the Portage County Business Council, UWSP & UWSP Foundation, Stevens Point School District, Mid-State Technical College, the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, Rotary and many local community events and activities.

In addition, they hosted the Wisconsin Association of School Board Meeting with Tony Evers, and hosted Governor Scott Walker for a shop tour. Since 2012 Marten Machining has sponsored two scholarships for students enrolled in the Machine Tool Technician program at Mid-State Technical College.

Congratulations to Marten Machining!

Decree of Excellence Award

Ki Mobility

The Decree of Excellence Award was presented to a business contributing to the economic vitality of Portage County – Ki Mobility!

Award criteria includes:

-Making capital improvements

-Significant growth and development

-Increasing employment base

-Planning and implementing special marketing campaigns

-Making significant community service contributions

Doug Munsey and Murray Slagerman founded Ki Mobility in 2005. With a combined experience of over 50 years in the complex rehab industry, it is their comprehensive knowledge that drives the business to achieve the success they share today.

They started small, in size and scope, determined to design a high quality, lightweight folding wheelchair, and on December 27, 2006 they sold their first “Catalyst 5” to Monroe Home Care Shoppe in Michigan. By August 14, 2007, they sold their 100^th chair and in October of 2007 they added two more chairs to their folding chair line. In January 2009 they moved to 2916 Borham Street in Stevens Point, then in March 2013 they expanded and moved to 4848 Industrial Park Road where they are today, and by December 22, 2015 sold their 50,000^th chair!

Their average annual revenue growth is over 50% per year and they have introduced 13 wheelchair models which are sold into 26 countries.

Ki Mobility marked its past success and continued plans to grow in Stevens Point on July 14, 2015 during a groundbreaking ceremony for it new global headquarters. This new 75,000 square foot facility, to be located at 5201 Woodward Drive in Stevens Point is expected to add over 100 more jobs as a result of the expansion.

Ongoing commitment to the community through the business and staff is evident through donations, involvement and support to many organizations including, but not limited to the Portage County Business Council, United Way of Portage County, Boys and Girls Club of Portage County, Meals on Wheels, Point in Common, and the Wisconsin Children’s Museums “Mad Machines” just to name a few.

With this expansion Ki Mobility will serve as a solid anchor of this community for years to come. We look forward in celebrating their 10 year anniversary in September of this year!

Congratulations to Ki Mobility!

President’s Award

David Worth

Each year the President of the Business Council is given the opportunity to select someone to receive the President’s Award. This award is presented to someone who through their outstanding commitment to volunteerism makes significant improvements and enhancements to the quality of life here in Portage County and demonstrates a spirit of cooperation and commitment to the Portage County Business Council, the Portage County Business Community and Economic Development of the area.

The 2015 President’s award was presented to David Worth, President and CEO of The Worth Company.

David has made his mark as one of our communities most respected and influential leaders. David Worth and his family are pillars of our community. He has been involved in many charitable endeavors and spent countless hours volunteering his time to better Portage County. David has been a trusted advisor to the Portage County Business Council Board of Directors and has been instrumental in the Council’s economic development and workforce development initiatives. He is a quiet leader who leads by example and never seeks recognition for his efforts.

David Worth considers himself the luckiest guy he knows to be in his 41^st year of serving the company his grandfather started. He is the third generation to lead the company that had its origins in the fly fishing market. David says there were five such Portage County businesses that catered to that market in the 1940s, and it’s the only one not only still standing, but thriving. That’s a testament to the Worths who have sat in the president’s chair for the company that includes David’s grandfather, Joseph, and his father Robert.

David’s community involvement over the years has included dedication to the Portage County Business Council and the Business Council Foundation, serving on the Board of Directors, and Executive Committee. He also served as President of The Community Foundation of Portage County, President of the Board of Directors of St. Michael’s Hospital, Board President of the United Way of Portage County, Campaign Chairman of United Way of Portage County, member of the UW Stevens Point Board of Visitors, President of the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra and Advisory Board for the Schierl Companies.

He has received honors of the 2005 University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point Distinguished Alumni Award, the 2005 Community Leadership Award of Portage County, and Director Emeritus of the Community Foundation of Portage County.

David enjoys computer science, a variety of music, skiing, snow-shoeing, bicycling, hiking, fishing, sports cars, and holds a private pilot license. David is married to “the most wonderful woman in the world – Cindy and has two equally wonderful sons – Grant and Tim”, stated by David at the Annual Dinner.

David Worth has been a true partner in growing Portage County. We are pleased to have him and his family choose Portage County as the place to ‘make a difference’….because indeed, he has!!!

Congratulations David!