Rockford Chamber Awards and Nomination Information
The Rockford Chamber invites to help recognize a Individual, Company or Organization that has made a significant contribution to the Rockford Community.
All Nominations must be submitted to the Rockford Chamber by the deadline noted on the Nomination Form. Honorees are selected by an Award Committee. Awards will be presented at the corresponding Luncheon/Dinner.
All Nominations must be submitted to the Rockford Chamber by the deadline noted on the Nomination Form. Honorees are selected by an Award Committee. Awards will be presented at the corresponding Luncheon/Dinner.
Citizen of the Year
The Rockford Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award is presented to an individual citizen of the Rockford Region who has made an extraordinary contribution to the welfare and progress of the community, generally over a period of years. This year’s honoree will be announced in the fall of 2021.
Citizen of the Year Honorees:
2021 – Rhonda Greer Robinson, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
2020 – Gary Anderson, Gary W. Anderson Architects
2019 – LoRayne Logan, workplace
2018 – Bill Roop, Alpine Bank
2017 – Brent Brodeski, Savant Capital Management
2016 – Dave Rydell, Bergstrom
2015 – Mike Brown, YMCA of Rock River Valley
2014 – Jeff Fahrenwald, Rockford University
2013 – Dan Loescher, LOESCHER & Associates, Ltd.
2012 – Mike Robinson, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center
2011 – James L. Keeling, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLC
2010 – Barb Berman
2009 – Robert Funderburg, The Funderburg Foundation
2008 – Jon Lundin, posthumously
2007 – Mike Dunn, Chairman of the Greater Rockford Airport Authority Board
2006 – Sue Grans, William Charles
Citizen of the Year Honorees:
2021 – Rhonda Greer Robinson, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
2020 – Gary Anderson, Gary W. Anderson Architects
2019 – LoRayne Logan, workplace
2018 – Bill Roop, Alpine Bank
2017 – Brent Brodeski, Savant Capital Management
2016 – Dave Rydell, Bergstrom
2015 – Mike Brown, YMCA of Rock River Valley
2014 – Jeff Fahrenwald, Rockford University
2013 – Dan Loescher, LOESCHER & Associates, Ltd.
2012 – Mike Robinson, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center
2011 – James L. Keeling, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLC
2010 – Barb Berman
2009 – Robert Funderburg, The Funderburg Foundation
2008 – Jon Lundin, posthumously
2007 – Mike Dunn, Chairman of the Greater Rockford Airport Authority Board
2006 – Sue Grans, William Charles
Women-In-Business Awards
Emerging Leader of the Year (formerly Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow)
Designed to honor a female professional in the early stages of her career, this honoree exhibits leadership skills, a commitment to professional growth and contributes positively to her team and/or organization. This individual is hard-working, passionate and eager to learn. Honorees will be announced at the 2021 Pow(H)er event on October 28.
Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow Honorees:
2021 - Julie Cline, OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center
2020 - Sarah Lambert, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
2019 - Carrie Zethmayr, Zethmayr LLC
2018 - Jocelyn Hare, ServPro of Rockford
2017 - Britney Lindgren, Rockford Art Deli
2016 - Pamela Murphy, MurphyRealty
2015 - Chelsea Hardacre, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center
2014 - Mika Doyle, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center
2013 - Stacy Wallace, LDR Construction Services, Inc.
2012 - RoseAnn Taphorn, North American Tool
2011 - Heather Kelley, Argyle Marketing
2010 - Veronika Blake, Hamilton Sundstrand
2009 - Mary Cacioppi, Walter Wayne Commercial Real Estate
2008 - Joy Baldwin, Alpine Bank
2007 - Amanda Hamaker, Rock River Valley Girl Scouts
2006 - Holly Swanson, TV51
2005 - Melesia Boyer, Sub Source
2004 - Leslie Roxworthy, Velasco & Associates
2003 - Takiyah Franklin, United Way of RRV
2002 - Denise Noe, Janet Wattles Center
2001 - Carry Britnell, Staff Management
Woman Business Owner of the Year
Designed to honor a female entrepreneur/business-owner (minimum 51% female ownership) this honoree exhibits leadership skills and a commitment to her craft. The individual is dedicated to her organization, her team and her clients – and is able to demonstrate examples of business success. Honorees will be announced at the 2021 Pow(H)er event on October 28.
Woman Business Owner Honorees:
2021 - Toni Vanderheyden, Keller Williams Realty Signature
2020 - Danna Krischke, State Farm
2019 - Laura Bennett, Trekk, Inc.
2018 - Laurie Miller, 2HB Solutions
2017 - Jean Crosby, Bershire Hathaway Homeservices Crosby Starck Real Estate
2016 - Stephanie Koch, Mary’s Market
2015 - Jackie Gommel, Gommel Design
2014 - Janna Becherer, Brynwood Relationship Counseling/Pathways EAP
2013 - LoRayne Logan, workplace
2012 - Patti Thayer, Thayer Lighting
2011 - Rebecca Kopf, PR Etc., Inc.
2010 - Mary Jo Hare, ServPro of Rockford
2009 - Bonnie Smith, Accurate Accounting & Payroll Services, LLC
2008 - Mary Ann Norwood, Pathways EAP
2007 - Jean Vitale, Beef-A-Roo
2006 - Judy Johnson, River District Catering
2005 - Darlene Furst, Furst & Associates
2004 - Mary Jo Scordato, MS2 Printing
2003 - Kathy Velasco, Velasco & Associates
2002 - Judy Pike, Acme Grinding
2001 - Dee Premo, Whitehead Realtors
2000 - Tina Olsen, Flour Flower
1999 - Ginette DeRive, BTM Engineering
1998 - Fran Morrissey, Staff Management
1997 - Linda Bennehoff, Chicago Title Company
1996 - Jan Mansfield, Century 21 Country North
Excellence in Leadership (formerly Woman Manager of the Year)
Designed to honor a female professional in a leadership role within her organization, honorees contribute positively to their organization’s success, effectively lead teams, and continually work to grow personally & professionally. Honorees will be announced at the 2021 Pow(H)er event on October 28.
Woman Manager of the Year Honorees:
2021 - Ann Wasser, Severson Dells Nature Center
2020 - Julie Thomas, Rockford Symphony Orchestra
2019 - Lori Diaz, Rockford Bank & Trust
2018 - Kathryn Pearce, Mercyhealth
2017 - Yvonne Peterson, Heritage Woods
2016 - Lesly Couper, Alpine Bank
2015 - Dr. Connie Vitali, Rockford Memorial Hospital
2014 - Amy Ott, Chicago-Rockford International Airport
2013 - Shannon Scheffel, Harlem Community Center
2012 - Paula Carynski, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center
2011 - Kris Kieper, YWCA of Rockford
2010 - Lori Gummow, KNIB
2009 - Julie Bosma, RAMP
2008 - Linda Grist Cunningham Rockford Register Star
2007 - Lori Berkes-Nelson, Golden Apple Foundation
2006 - Janyce Fadden, Rockford Area Economic Development Council
2005 - Peg Wilkerson, Alpine Bank
2004 - Marsha Perez, MetLife
2003 - Jill Wagner, National City Bank
2002 - Marge Fleming, McGladrey & Pullen
2001 - Barbara Berman, Arthritis Foundation
Community Hero
Designed to honor a female’s contributions outside of the office the honoree demonstrates a commitment to her community through service. This individual has contributed positively to community improvement and change through time, talent, treasure or a combination. Her skills are utilized in a way that does not directly benefit her professionally, but rather, for the betterment of others. Honorees will be announced at the 2021 Pow(H)er event on October 28.
Community Hero Honorees:
2021 – Martesha Brown, Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
2020 – Ashley Osterberg, RN, OSF Healthcare
Celebrate our 2020 Women In Business Honorees – hear what makes them outstanding, deserve leaders in their own words & the words of their nominators.
Designed to honor a female professional in the early stages of her career, this honoree exhibits leadership skills, a commitment to professional growth and contributes positively to her team and/or organization. This individual is hard-working, passionate and eager to learn. Honorees will be announced at the 2021 Pow(H)er event on October 28.
Woman Business Leader of Tomorrow Honorees:
2021 - Julie Cline, OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center
2020 - Sarah Lambert, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
2019 - Carrie Zethmayr, Zethmayr LLC
2018 - Jocelyn Hare, ServPro of Rockford
2017 - Britney Lindgren, Rockford Art Deli
2016 - Pamela Murphy, MurphyRealty
2015 - Chelsea Hardacre, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center
2014 - Mika Doyle, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center
2013 - Stacy Wallace, LDR Construction Services, Inc.
2012 - RoseAnn Taphorn, North American Tool
2011 - Heather Kelley, Argyle Marketing
2010 - Veronika Blake, Hamilton Sundstrand
2009 - Mary Cacioppi, Walter Wayne Commercial Real Estate
2008 - Joy Baldwin, Alpine Bank
2007 - Amanda Hamaker, Rock River Valley Girl Scouts
2006 - Holly Swanson, TV51
2005 - Melesia Boyer, Sub Source
2004 - Leslie Roxworthy, Velasco & Associates
2003 - Takiyah Franklin, United Way of RRV
2002 - Denise Noe, Janet Wattles Center
2001 - Carry Britnell, Staff Management
Woman Business Owner of the Year
Designed to honor a female entrepreneur/business-owner (minimum 51% female ownership) this honoree exhibits leadership skills and a commitment to her craft. The individual is dedicated to her organization, her team and her clients – and is able to demonstrate examples of business success. Honorees will be announced at the 2021 Pow(H)er event on October 28.
Woman Business Owner Honorees:
2021 - Toni Vanderheyden, Keller Williams Realty Signature
2020 - Danna Krischke, State Farm
2019 - Laura Bennett, Trekk, Inc.
2018 - Laurie Miller, 2HB Solutions
2017 - Jean Crosby, Bershire Hathaway Homeservices Crosby Starck Real Estate
2016 - Stephanie Koch, Mary’s Market
2015 - Jackie Gommel, Gommel Design
2014 - Janna Becherer, Brynwood Relationship Counseling/Pathways EAP
2013 - LoRayne Logan, workplace
2012 - Patti Thayer, Thayer Lighting
2011 - Rebecca Kopf, PR Etc., Inc.
2010 - Mary Jo Hare, ServPro of Rockford
2009 - Bonnie Smith, Accurate Accounting & Payroll Services, LLC
2008 - Mary Ann Norwood, Pathways EAP
2007 - Jean Vitale, Beef-A-Roo
2006 - Judy Johnson, River District Catering
2005 - Darlene Furst, Furst & Associates
2004 - Mary Jo Scordato, MS2 Printing
2003 - Kathy Velasco, Velasco & Associates
2002 - Judy Pike, Acme Grinding
2001 - Dee Premo, Whitehead Realtors
2000 - Tina Olsen, Flour Flower
1999 - Ginette DeRive, BTM Engineering
1998 - Fran Morrissey, Staff Management
1997 - Linda Bennehoff, Chicago Title Company
1996 - Jan Mansfield, Century 21 Country North
Excellence in Leadership (formerly Woman Manager of the Year)
Designed to honor a female professional in a leadership role within her organization, honorees contribute positively to their organization’s success, effectively lead teams, and continually work to grow personally & professionally. Honorees will be announced at the 2021 Pow(H)er event on October 28.
Woman Manager of the Year Honorees:
2021 - Ann Wasser, Severson Dells Nature Center
2020 - Julie Thomas, Rockford Symphony Orchestra
2019 - Lori Diaz, Rockford Bank & Trust
2018 - Kathryn Pearce, Mercyhealth
2017 - Yvonne Peterson, Heritage Woods
2016 - Lesly Couper, Alpine Bank
2015 - Dr. Connie Vitali, Rockford Memorial Hospital
2014 - Amy Ott, Chicago-Rockford International Airport
2013 - Shannon Scheffel, Harlem Community Center
2012 - Paula Carynski, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center
2011 - Kris Kieper, YWCA of Rockford
2010 - Lori Gummow, KNIB
2009 - Julie Bosma, RAMP
2008 - Linda Grist Cunningham Rockford Register Star
2007 - Lori Berkes-Nelson, Golden Apple Foundation
2006 - Janyce Fadden, Rockford Area Economic Development Council
2005 - Peg Wilkerson, Alpine Bank
2004 - Marsha Perez, MetLife
2003 - Jill Wagner, National City Bank
2002 - Marge Fleming, McGladrey & Pullen
2001 - Barbara Berman, Arthritis Foundation
Community Hero
Designed to honor a female’s contributions outside of the office the honoree demonstrates a commitment to her community through service. This individual has contributed positively to community improvement and change through time, talent, treasure or a combination. Her skills are utilized in a way that does not directly benefit her professionally, but rather, for the betterment of others. Honorees will be announced at the 2021 Pow(H)er event on October 28.
Community Hero Honorees:
2021 – Martesha Brown, Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
2020 – Ashley Osterberg, RN, OSF Healthcare
Celebrate our 2020 Women In Business Honorees – hear what makes them outstanding, deserve leaders in their own words & the words of their nominators.
People You Should Know
People You Should Know Honorees are individuals who are compelling, interesting, and amazing people who deserve their time in the limelight. These are people you admire for their work, drive, dedication, and commitment to what they believe in and for having that certain vibe of energy about them. These are business individuals you classify as special – people you really want to know, network with, and are proud to have be part of the Rockford region. Our 2021 People You Should Know will be celebrated on June 24, 2021. More information can be found on our Events Calendar as the event nears. Our honorees will also be highlighted in our upcoming One Magazine, which will be mailed to all Chamber members in early June.
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A list of previous honorees is
available for download in PDF |
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Manufacturing Awards
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Enjoy a great video celebrating our 2020 honorees and sharing their story!
The Individual Business Catalyst Award is presented annually to recognize an outstanding professional who is a community and business leader. This person has made significant direct and positive contributions to the manufacturing community. The Individual Business Catalyst of the Year is announced at the Celebration of Manufacturing Expo & Dinner scheduled for December 9 in 2021.
Individual Business Catalyst Award Honorees:
2020 - Bethany Mead, CEANCI
2019 - Eric Wilson, WTVO/WQRF
2018 - Don Williams, RRVTMA
2017 - Mike Cobert – NIU EigerLab
2016 - Sagar Patel
2015 - John Ekberg
2014 - Christina Magee
2013 - Dave Morgan
2012 - WOTM
2011 - Rick Bastian
2010 - Mike Molander
2009 - Robert Schafer
2008 - Keith Irons
2007 - Robert Trojan
2006 - Steve Yagle
2005 - Teresa Beach-Shelow
The Rockford Chamber of Commerce Manufacturer of the Year Award is presented annually to recognize an outstanding manufacturing company that has used technology to remain competitive and grow. The Manufacturer of the Year is announced at the Celebration of Manufacturing Expo & Dinner scheduled for December 9 in 2021.
Manufacturer of the Year Honorees:
2020 - Ingersoll Machine Tools
2019 - JC Milling, Inc.
2018 - Advanced Machine & Engineering Co. (AME)
2017 - Rockford Process Control
2016 - ANPEC
2015 - J & M Plating, Inc.
2014 - Rockford Fastener, LLC
2013 - Header Die and Tool
2012 - Specialty Screw
2011 - JL Clark
2010 - Energy Dynamics
2009 - Rockford Toolcraft, Inc
2008 - Aqua Aerobics
2007 - Eclipse
2006 - Forest City Gear
2005 - Haldex
The Individual Business Catalyst Award is presented annually to recognize an outstanding professional who is a community and business leader. This person has made significant direct and positive contributions to the manufacturing community. The Individual Business Catalyst of the Year is announced at the Celebration of Manufacturing Expo & Dinner scheduled for December 9 in 2021.
Individual Business Catalyst Award Honorees:
2020 - Bethany Mead, CEANCI
2019 - Eric Wilson, WTVO/WQRF
2018 - Don Williams, RRVTMA
2017 - Mike Cobert – NIU EigerLab
2016 - Sagar Patel
2015 - John Ekberg
2014 - Christina Magee
2013 - Dave Morgan
2012 - WOTM
2011 - Rick Bastian
2010 - Mike Molander
2009 - Robert Schafer
2008 - Keith Irons
2007 - Robert Trojan
2006 - Steve Yagle
2005 - Teresa Beach-Shelow
The Rockford Chamber of Commerce Manufacturer of the Year Award is presented annually to recognize an outstanding manufacturing company that has used technology to remain competitive and grow. The Manufacturer of the Year is announced at the Celebration of Manufacturing Expo & Dinner scheduled for December 9 in 2021.
Manufacturer of the Year Honorees:
2020 - Ingersoll Machine Tools
2019 - JC Milling, Inc.
2018 - Advanced Machine & Engineering Co. (AME)
2017 - Rockford Process Control
2016 - ANPEC
2015 - J & M Plating, Inc.
2014 - Rockford Fastener, LLC
2013 - Header Die and Tool
2012 - Specialty Screw
2011 - JL Clark
2010 - Energy Dynamics
2009 - Rockford Toolcraft, Inc
2008 - Aqua Aerobics
2007 - Eclipse
2006 - Forest City Gear
2005 - Haldex
40 Under Forty
40 Under Forty recipients have distinguished themselves in their professional field or organization, are engaged citizens, and provide leadership by volunteering their time and talents to community groups and causes. Leaders are chosen from various professional fields and walks of life including but not limited to, business, education, engineering, non-profit, manufacturing, etc. 40 Under Forty honorees will be named again in 2022. Candidates must be 39 or under as of December 31, 2022 and live or work in Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, or Stephenson counties.
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A list of previous honorees is
available for download in PDF |
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Confluence Honors
The Confluence Honors were created to recognize great collaborations and partnerships and honor their commitment and success to working together to achieve great outcomes…big or small! A partnership can be defined as any working relationship between a company, companies or persons for a period of time that have worked together to build strong business successes, positive community outcomes and initiatives - just good people working together to achieve great things that they could not do on their own. Confluence honorees will be named in 2023. Nominations will be available in 2023.
The Confluence Honors were created to recognize great collaborations and partnerships and honor their commitment and success to working together to achieve great outcomes…big or small! A partnership can be defined as any working relationship between a company, companies or persons for a period of time that have worked together to build strong business successes, positive community outcomes and initiatives - just good people working together to achieve great things that they could not do on their own. Confluence honorees will be named in 2023. Nominations will be available in 2023.
All Nominations must be submitted to the Rockford Chamber by the deadline noted on the Nomination Form. Honorees are selected by an Award Committee. Awards will be presented at the corresponding Luncheon/Dinner.
