Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce announces awards recipients; ceremony scheduled for May 1

Brad Heineman, The Daily Telegram

TECUMSEH — Tickets are available, and will remain available through Wednesday, April 24, for the Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 awards ceremony, scheduled for May 1 at the Adrian Armory Events Center near downtown Adrian, 230 W. Maumee St.

The annual awards ceremony celebrates the achievements of businesses, organizations, local professionals and community leaders in the greater Lenawee area by presenting seven awards to recipients. The awards include the Addison J. Comstock, Ann Hughes Legacy Leadership, Above & Beyond Excellence, Outstanding Young Professional, Beautification, Making a Difference and Growing Talent.

Cocktail attire is requested for those planning on attending, a news release from the chamber said. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event begins at 6 p.m. For more information, call the Greater Lenawee Chamber at 517-423-3740.

Ticket costs are $35 per person and tickets can be purchased online by visiting greaterlenaweechamber.org.

The award recipients for the May 1 ceremony have been announced by the chamber. Those who will be receiving awards include:

  • Keith Chapman, Goodwill Industries of Southeast Michigan, Addison J. Comstock Award, sponsored by Citizens Gas.

  • Kandice Karll-Newsome, Jackson College, Ann Hughes Legacy Leadership, sponsored by Siena Heights University.

  • Barrett’s Showplace Gardens, Above & Beyond Excellence, sponsored by D&P Communications.

  • Josh Tejkl, PlaneWave Instruments, Outstanding Young Professional.

  • Hidden Lake Gardens, Beautification Award, sponsored by Krieghoff-Lenawee.

  • Community Learning Connections, Making a Difference Award, sponsored by Victory Builders.

  • Janis Montalvo, Living in Lenawee Realty, Growing Talent Award, sponsored by Michigan Works Southeast.

  • Marty Schoonover, Len Air LLC, Chamber Ambassador of the Year, sponsored by County National Bank.

Here is some insight about each of the awards:

The Addison J. Comstock Award is only for businesses, organizations or professionals in the city of Adrian. The award is given to a recipient that impacts the future of Adrian with their vision, planning and efforts, the chamber said. “This person helps improve the quality of life of others, or is an involved leader in business, civic and community activities,” the chamber said. “This award is designed to recognize an individual or organization who is tenacious in their promotion and development of the city of Adrian, its economy and business growth.”

The Ann Hughes Legacy Leadership Award also is only awarded to businesses, organizations or professionals located in the city of Adrian. The award honors the legacy of Ann Hughes, a founding partner of the Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce, and “exemplifies the traits Ann passionately shared with this community,” the chamber said. Those traits include a pioneering spirit, excellence, determination, a vision for betterment of the community, and a leader/mentor for women and those who are under underrepresented.

The Above & Beyond Excellence Award recognizes a business, organization or professional that demonstrates strong ethical values, community commitment and engagement, and environmental stewardship.

The Outstanding Young Professional Award celebrates a young person in Lenawee County who is early in their career and has already set a high standard of excellence in the workplace and in community involvement. “The future of our community and businesses depends on the next generation of leaders and professionals,” the chamber said.

Beautification Award recognizes projects completed throughout the past year that resulted in improved community spaces, buildings and grounds areas.

The Making a Difference Award recognizes a nonprofit organization that makes a significant impact and difference in Lenawee County. The impact of the organization can be to a group, a single individual, a family or the entire community, according to the chamber.

The Growing Talent Award recognizes those who have gone above and beyond to support the talent network for their own business or the community.

Chamber of commerce office staying remote

The Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce will continue to operate remotely as it has been doing for the last handful of months.

The chamber’s office in downtown Tecumseh, 132 W. Chicago Blvd., sustained water damage in January and the staff has been working remotely since. In March, the chamber’s board of directors decided to make the change to remote work permanent.

“In addition to giving staff more time to visit members, it is a cost savings, helping the chamber be more financially responsible,” the chamber said in a news release issued April 16.

From February 2023: New Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce CEO Sean Dennis promises unity, collaboration

The Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization committed to encouraging, promoting and building local businesses with the goals of community enhancement and economic prosperity.

“During the last few months, we found that working remotely allows us the flexibility to spend more time out in the community visiting members, community leaders and prospects,” Sean Dennis, Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce President and CEO said. “Community members and visitors to the area typically look for information online. Having up-to-date contact information about our members and details of their upcoming local events available on the chamber’s website will continue to be a major focus for our community calendar. We want to drive business through the chamber’s website to help our members and community partners succeed.”

Chamber staff will continue to be available via email, and the phone number will remain the same, 517-423-3740. Staff hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays. Chamber programs and events could affect these hours.

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The new address for the GLCC is P.O. Box 338, Tecumseh, MI 49286.

Chamber staff also have dedicated time once a week in both Adrian and Tecumseh to meet with members. Every Monday, from 9 to 11:30 a.m., staff will meet with members at the Buzz Café and Marketplace in downtown Adrian, 110 E. Maumee St. Every Thursday, also from 9 to 11:30 a.m., staff will meet with members at Musgrove + Co., 135 E. Chicago Blvd., downtown Tecumseh.

— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at bheineman@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: www.twitter.com/LenaweeHeineman.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce announces 2024 awards recipients

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