The date for our Annual Dinner to celebrate our award winners has been changed to Monday, March 7, 2022. We hope you are still able to join us for this event.

The Portage County Business Council is proud to announce our 2021 Award Recipients. Mission Coffee House has been selected as the recipient of the Small Business of the Year. Gamber-Johnson, LLC will be receiving the Decree of Excellence Award. Sherri Galle-Teske from the Humane Society of Portage County was selected by the entire Ambassador Club to receive the Ambassador of the Year award. And Lisa Sobczak, Senior Area Manager of ABR Employment Services has been named as the recipient of the 2021 President’s Award.

Mission Coffee House, owned by Russel Ehlinger, was chosen based on their growth and financial stability; dedication to customer service and community needs; strength in employer/employee relations, efforts to adapt to market changes, and industry leadership. They are located at 1800 Plover Road, in the Artist & Fare building in Plover.

Gamber-Johnson LLC, an industry leader in the manufacturing of mobile and proAV mounting solutions, was chosen due to their contributions to the area’s economic vitality, increase in local employment base and significant contributions in community service.

Business Council Ambassador Sherri Galle-Teske, and Executive Director of the Humane Society of Portage County will be recognized for her dedication to community outreach and participation in activities that promote the Portage County Business Council’s mission.

2021 Portage County Business Council Board President Ray Ackerlund selected Lisa Sobczak for the President’s Award. “Lisa’s involvement and leadership in the Business Council and our community over the past 30+ years is an example for all of us to strive towards. Her passion is unmatched and has made a direct impact on so many current and past members.  Over the last year, Lisa was instrumental in helping the Business Council recruit and select our new executive director.  Lisa is always someone that we can rely on for great advice and guidance and is an amazing resource for our business community.”

The Presenting sponsors of the event are TDS and WoodTrust Bank. Award sponsors include Delta Dental of Wisconsin, Nicolet National Bank, Sentry, Simplicity Credit Union, and Van Horn Nissan Stevens Point.

“Our annual award winners are examples of leadership in our community and their guidance has added so much to our quality of life”, said Michael Witte, Executive Director for the Portage County Business Council. “These recipients reflect all that is great about the people, businesses, education and government that embodies Portage County. They are role models of unselfishness and what it means to sacrifice for the betterment of everyone. They join a long line of community leaders recognized for excellence.”

Award recipients will be recognized at the Portage County Business Council’s Annual Dinner on Monday, March 7, 2022 at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center in Stevens Point. Registration for the event can be found at www.portagecountybiz.com.

For more information, contact Karen Myers at karenm@portagecountybiz.com.