Small Division, members with
1 – 5 employees: 

Small Division Member of the Year Award went to WAMH Design, owner Deb Hellman

WAMH Design was nominated for being an asset to the Chamber for years.  Deb gives many hours to Chamber committees through her time and talents.  Noting her actions and work ethic embody the Mission and Vision of the Chamber.

Medium Division, members with
6 - 49 employees:

Medium Division Member of the Year Award went to Fremont Federal Credit Union. 

Fremont Federal Credit Union was nominated for their education and service to others passion.  Many of their employees are involved in service projects including Literacy Program, Teach of the Month and through civic groups.  They are also a business partner for the Chamber’s REACH program.

Large Division, members with
50 and more employees:

Large Division Member of the Year Award went to Atlas Industries Inc. 

Recognizing an investment of $3-5 million in recent years of equipment and in facility expansion to support further manufacturing production, Atlas was nominated for this award.  It was noted that their employment number is a significant financial contributor the local economy alone.  They have been a Chamber supporter for decades with volunteerism and financial support.

Citizen of the Year Award

Robert W. Woolf, co-chair of the Terra State Community College Major Gifts Committee, was named Citizen of the Year for being an individual whose services have benefited the community or area by his devotion to the general welfare of the citizenry, exclusive and beyond his profession.  In his position as co-chair for the major gifts campaign, Woolf is working closely with Terra’s administration to further develop the program’s mission to raise funds to enhance and perpetuate the great things that Terra does in the community.
 

Clark Ambassador Award

The Clark Ambassador winner was Jim Miranda, who has been a volunteer Chamber Ambassador for six years.  He was selected due to his demonstrated support of the mission, vision and values of the Chamber of Commerce of Sandusky County with his time, talents and dedication. Miranda was described as dedicated, volunteer, informative, encouraging, helpful, advocate, professional, approachable, and kind.

Distinguished Service Award

For being an individual who in his daily practice of his profession has served the community well, with special considerations to service over and above that of other practitioners, Tom Kiser of Professional Supply Inc. was presented the Distinguished Service Award.
 

Born and raised here in Fremont, Ohio, Kiser founded his business in 1979.  Kiser has gone from being a small town heating and ventilation engineer to being involved in the fight to halt global warming. While establishing his expertise in the arena of energy issues, he maintained his involvement and support of his hometown by serving on the board at the Hayes Presidential Center, as a member of the Catholic Education Development Fund, and the Sandusky County Board of MRDD.  He is a past recipient of the Heritage Award of St. Joseph Central Catholic, the Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young CPA of NW Ohio and has been involved in coaching and supporting youth sports at all ages from grade school through the collegiate level.
 

 Kiser is known throughout the industrial world as America’s Energy Coach.  While saving companies millions of dollars, he has also shared his expertise and strong discipline with leaders across the world, including China.  He is the creator of a training concept referred to as Corporate Coaching, which specializes in helping business executives, medical professionals, and athletes sustain high performance.  As a professional speaker and energy coach, his strategies continue to produce life changing and company enhancing results.  Tom is married to Phyllis and they have four children.

Athena Award

Barbara Ann Krzewinski was presented the Athena Award for her lifetime community involvement and working for the betterment of women and children.  Year’s prior, she had worked as a child advocate and family advocacy officer for the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps.  When stationed in Arizona, she was a member of the Board of Directors of Children’s Village – a crisis hotline for rape and spouse abuse and served as president of the coordinating council where she established a shelter for battered women and children. 
 

Her involvement in Sandusky County is quite extensive, including serving as the first woman Commander of the Fremont VFW Post #2947, a member of the Sandusky County Historical Society, Prevention Partnership, Nurses Association and the local American Heart Association. Recently, Krzewinski retired as the Director of Health Services for Gibsonburg Exempted Village School District.  She also was a child advocate with Students in Crisis, Children’s Services and the Court System.  Krzewinski resides in Fremont and she is the daughter of Joseph and Ernestine Krzewinski.

Health & Wellness Award

A new award that was presented at this year’s Annual Dinner was the Health & Wellness Award, given to Whirlpool Corporation.  The purpose of this award is to recognize Chamber employers that promote and get employees involved in healthy options and health education.  Whirlpool won this award because of their proactive and enthusiastic wellness committee that meets monthly or more.  All of the following programs have been implemented at Whirlpool since February 2008:  Health fair for employees and families with over 50 Health, Wellness and Safety vendors, Committee worked with cafeteria to offer better food choices for employees, Weight-loss and health programs with daily support and tips, Wellness rebate to be used for fitness/health activities to encourage employees to stay active, Smoking cessation programs, and Behavioral programs to help with depression, substance abuse, parenting and family issues, and financial and legal advice.