The Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce recognized its Shining Stars during the third annual awards event Sept. 29 at Berkleigh Golf Club in Kutztown.
“We had a fantastic turnout this year, 181 reservations this year,” Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lori Donofrio-Galley said. “We also had a greater number of nominations than we have in the past. We really are connecting communities and non-profits and remain small business focused.”
For the third year, the Chamber partnered with Berks Schuylkill SCORE volunteers to evaluate Chamber member nominees in five categories.
Donofrio-Galley said SCORE has been a valuable resource.
“We are thrilled to work with SCORE for this event. The volunteers do a wonderful job and we can’t thank them enough,” she said.
The judges use criteria established by the Shining Star Event Planning Committee. The SCORE volunteers this year included Steve Bobick, Jack Boyle, Barbara Coffin, Russ Hoke, Jim Hufford and Larry Rush contributed. Each judge focused on the impact and influence each company/individual had in their specific contribution, commitment and sustainability to the local economy and/or the well-being of the communities and citizens of Northeast Berks County.
The Member of the Year was awarded to Alyse Mitten from Interlace Communications of Shoemakersville. Mitten extended her gratitude toward her staff for being the backbone of the business and keeping the day-to-day operations running smooth.
“It is a complete surprise. We support small to mid-size businesses and non-profits so I really feel that being a part of the community is important to have a successful business.”
Interlace Communications & goMAaVA also received Small Business of the Year. Mitten accepted the award for her marketing and advertising company.
Entrepreneur of the Year went to Sherry Christman, owner of Elite Business Solutions, LLC. of Hamburg. Christman was also nominated for the Small Business of the Year category, as well as Advocate of the Year.
“I was with a client when I got the emails I was nominated for the three categories,” Christman said. “I had no idea I was being nominated.”
Christman said her passion for her business is what makes winning the award very exciting.
“Bringing business owners together and seeing them grow is what makes this worth it.”
Large Business of the Year was awarded to Fleetwood Bank. Accepting the award on behalf of Fleetwood Bank was Rita M. Phillips, VP, Retail Banking.
Nonprofit of the Year was awarded to Friend, Inc. of Kutztown. Executive Director Sandra Wise accepted the award. Friend, Inc. is a multi-service social agency that supports the well-being of those in need through a food pantry, information and referrals, budget counseling, financial crisis intervention and more. Wise is a 21-year chamber member.
“It is an honor to be recognized. Friend keeps moving forward to provide the best services we can to our families in need by partnering with other agencies and continuing to offer our services,” said Wise.
Advocate of the Year went to Craig Koller, chair of the Kutztown Bicentennial Committee and Kutztown Area Historical Society.
“I think the award is more of a testament to the community spirit that the bicentennial celebration awakened in Kutztown,” said Koller. “While it’s very nice to be recognized by the award, and I’m very honored by it, I wouldn’t even have been nominated if it hadn’t been for the hard-working and caring people on the Bicentennial Committee and Kutztown Area Historical Society board of directors and members. It’s truly an award for a large group of dedicated people.”
According to the event release, SCORE evaluated a total of 24 eligible nominees within five categories and ranked them to determine three finalists in each category. An award winner in the number one standing for each category was identified from among the 15, as well as 2016 Member of the Year from the pool of winners. Judges focused on the impact and influence that each had in their specific community or field, based on their overall contribution, commitment and sustainability to the local economy or well-being of the community and people of Northeast Berks County. Some additional individual attributes considered were Chamber involvement, innovation, creativity, achievement, community recognition, inspiration and leadership.
Prior to the awards, Debbie Wanner of CBS Season 32 Survivor Castaway held an autograph session and presentation. Also there was b scene photography by Berks County Living and candid photography by Dave Zerbe Studio.
