The Metro North Chamber of Commerce announced on Friday the winners of its prestigious annual business recognition awards at its 2011 Gala & Silent Auction. Four business leaders/businesses were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the Metro North Chamber of Commerce and the region in the categories of Small Business Person of the Year, Leadership Person of the Year, Business Partner of the Year, and Outstanding Business Person of the Year. In addition twenty-one individuals were acknowledged for demonstrating extraordinary characteristics in their business relations through ‘Fred Awards’. The Metro North Chamber Annual Awards specifically recognize individuals and organizations that have given time and resources to help advance the Chamber’s efforts in increasing the vitality of the region and ultimately to enhancing the communities of the Metro North area. The distinguished winners were:
Small Business Person of the Year – Michelle Martinez, Owner of the Bagel Bakery & Cupcake Shoppe, was recognized for her continuous support of Chamber programs that help encourage business development efforts. Martinez ’s entrepreneurial spirit carries into her work with the Chamber as she demonstrates best business practices in maximizing her partnership with the Chamber.
Leadership Person of the Year – Mizraim Cordero, Intergovernmental Relations Manager for the City of Commerce City, was recognized for his contribution to the Metro North Chamber Leadership Program and the development of emerging leaders. Cordero has worked diligently over the past three years to help shape the next generation of informed, engaged community leaders through his direct involvement in the planning and implementation of the Leadership Program’s curriculum.
Business Partner of the Year – American Furniture Warehouse and its team of over thirteen-hundred professionals were recognized for their ongoing, continuous support of the Chamber and the region. The national company, headquartered in the Metro North area, maintains strong, local roots and contributes a significant amount of leadership and volunteer for the purpose of developing, implementing and sustaining the vitality of the region.
Outstanding Business Person of the Year – Troy Whitmore, Director of External Affairs for United Power, was named Outstanding Business Person of the Year in recognition of his years of servitude and leadership within the Chamber and the region. Whitmore was specifically acknowledged for the investment of his time, energy and knowledge as a Board of Director, Chairman of the Business & Government Affairs Committee, service as a Development Council Member, participation in the Leadership Program, and support of the Chamber’s overarching efforts. His leadership, specifically in the lobbying arena, has bolstered the Chamber to be a recognized voice of business at the local, state and federal levels and has helped to advance the region as a whole.
The ‘Fred Award’, which pays tribute to individuals who demonstrate and inspire extraordinary characteristics in business relations, was presented to the following Gala attendees by their nominators:
Justin Abrams, Jay’s Grill & Bar/Great Scotts Eatery nominated by Doug Bollman, Taggart Insurance; Janine Anderson, Westin Westminster nominated by Jena Hausmann, The Children’s Hospital; Jim Dean, Total Beverage, LLC nominated by Steve Bobrick, Bobrick & Associates, Inc.; Rick Doucet, Community Reach Center nominated by Brad Harvey, Horizons North Credit Union; Kathy Hill, James C. Hill Real Estate nominated by Jack Ethredge, City of Thornton; Jenyce Houg, Houg, Houg Trucking Services nominated by Jerry Flannery, City of Commerce City; David Jurcak, Omni Interlocken Hotel nominated by Chris Gdowski, Adams 12 Five Star Schools; David Kosak, Aesthetic Construction nominated by Deborah Obermeyer, Metro North Chamber; Alan Lemons, Wells Fargo nominated by Brian Cohen, Haselden Construction; Paul Ludwig, Linc Energy Operations, Inc. nominated by Rob Osborn, Xcel Energy; Ashley Malone, Front Range Community College nominated by Andy Ellison, Mountain View Bank of Commerce; Chris McVay, Guaranty Bank & Trust CO nominated by Dana Talarico, Talarico & Associates; Jan Pawlowski, Varsity Sports nominated by Manuel Esquibel, City of Brighton; Jonathan Perlmutter, Jordon Perlmutter & Co. nominated by Howard Gelt, Polsinelli Shughart; Todd Sheppard, Future Link nominated by Dan Goodwin, Donelson Ciancio & Goodwin, P.C.; Rodney Shull, Kaiser Permanente nominated by Andy Dorsey, Front Range Community College; Susan Stanton, CLC Associates nominated by Jessica Erickson, Broomfield Economic Development Corporation; Kathryn Stewart, Standley Lake Massage Therapy nominated by Troy Whitmore, United Power; Karen Stuart, Collins Engineers nominated by Susan Stanton, CLC Associates; James Vigesaa, BVB General Contractors nominated by Ray Gonzales, Brighton Economic Development Corporation; and Dot Wright, Arvada Chamber of Commerce nominated by Deborah Obermeyer, Metro North Chamber of Commerce.
Over six-hundred attendees were present in support of the Metro North Chamber at the 2011 Annual Gala & Silent Auction. Notable attendees included US Senator Mark Udall and US Congressmen Ed Perlmutter and Jared Polis. In addition to recognizing the region’s outstanding business contributors the event provided an opportunity for business leaders and elected officials to connect with one another.
For more information about the Metro North Chamber of Commerce please visit www.MetroNorthChamber.com or call 303.288.1000.
