Take a couple minutes and think of your favorite Green County business, business owner and community leader. What business do you most appreciate here in the county? Whose leadership has done the most for your community? Which new business has the most potential?
Green County Development Corporation is accepting nominations for the Green County Outstanding Business of the Year, the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, and the Richard B. Schmied Leadership Award. Winners of the awards will be announced during GCDC’s Annual Meeting and Recognition Dinner, scheduled Tuesday, Feb. 25 in Monroe.
GCDC’s awards program recognizes both the large and small accomplishments and provides all of the nominees a chance to showcase their businesses. Any individual, group or business may nominate a business or leader, and businesses and leaders may nominate themselves.
Nominate an outstanding business
The Outstanding Business of the Year Award honors an existing business that has demonstrated exemplary commitment to the county’s economic growth. The award winner will have made a significant improvement to strengthen its market position or has overcome an obstacle affecting the company’s ability to grow. This could include installing new technology, developing new processes, creating jobs which improve employment opportunities for underutilized workers and sponsoring specialized training to enhance the skills of existing employees. The company should also be able to demonstrate a long-term history of supporting other Green County businesses and community initiatives.
Nominate your favorite entrepreneur
The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award celebrates an entrepreneur who leads the way for their business — an individual who is all about getting things done and leading the charge. This award will be given to the entrepreneur who best demonstrates a hunger for opportunity, a growth mindset and willingness to learn, a willingness to find solutions to challenges and problems, a strong work ethic, and an example of what a good entrepreneur looks like.
Nominate a true leader
2020 is the 20th anniversary of the Richard B. Schmied Leadership Award. Schmied is remembered for the characteristics of leadership he exhibited. The winner of the award exemplifies the character of a true leader.
Richard represented the Village of New Glarus on the GCDC Board of Directors from November 1995; served as GCDC’s Vice President in 1998 and 1999; and was GCDC’s President at the time of his death in November 2000. The first Leadership Award was given to Richard Schmied posthumously in 2001.
Since then, the award has been given to many leaders in Green County who, like Richard B. Schmied, never lost sight of vitally important opportunities to teach, reinforce and elevate people. Past award winners include: 2019 – Doug Pinnow, Brodhead; 2018 – Ron Buholzer, Monroe; 2017 – Bryan Gadow, New Glarus; 2016 – Lori Stern, New Glarus; 2015 – Noreen Rueckert, Monroe; 2014 – Ron Spielman, Monroe; 2013 – John Baumann, Monroe; 2012 – Anita Huffman, Monroe; 2011 – David Mosher, Monroe; 2010 – Msgr. Thomas Campion, Monroe; 2008 – Sarah Burgert; 2007 – Christine Wellington, Monroe; 2006 – Graduates of Green County Leaders Program; 2005 – Audrey Hein, Monroe; 2003 – Robert Hoesly; and 2002 – Art Carter.
To nominate a business or individual, visit greencountyedc.com and look for the link for a fillable form under the News & Events tab. More information and assistance is available by emailing gcdc@tds.net or calling 608-328-9452. Nominations are due Wednesday, Feb. 5.
— Cara Carper is executive director at Green County Development Corporation. She can be reached at cara.gcdc@tds.net.
