Excellence Awards Winners Announced

The (LZACC) presented the recipients of its at the annual banquet on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 at Concorde Banquets in Kildeer. The LZACC Excellence Awards recognize achievements in the areas of business, education, government and not-for-profit organizations for their efforts to make the Lake Zurich Area a better place in which to live and work. Nominations were solicited from chamber members, local residents and government entities. The 2011 Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors were also sworn in. 

President's Award

• Bonnie Conte, Avalon Salon & Day Spa
• Lake Zurich American Legion Post 964

Business of the Year

Honors a Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce member that has made a positive impact on the area during the past year by: Support and involvement in the Chamber; an ongoing commitment to quality products and service; business growth and innovation; Involvement in and support of the communities; philanthropy; significant improvement to their facility; support of employees; and other recognition either within the community or field of business.

• Trilogy School of Performing Arts — Business of the Year Award Recipient
• Couture 360 Salon, owner Rose DePaola
• Grooms Insurance Associates, owners Chris & Ken Grooms
• Hawthorn Woods Family Dental Care, Dr. Jack Edgar
• Inland Bank and Trust, Branch Managers Hanan Hafez & Beth Klyczek
• Smokin’ T’s BBQ, owners Tom & Barb Gescheidle
• WoMen’s Physical Therapy Institute, owners Lynn O’Brien & Teri Elliott-Burke

Educator of the Year

Honors an individual in the educational or training profession who for the past 12 months has demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards and practices and improvement of the educational experience by encouraging creativity, giving selflessly, and inspiring others to excel while contributing to the overall educational community. 

• Jennifer Lippert, Lake Zurich Middle School North — Educator of the Year Award Recipient
• Liz Akinson, Lake Zurich May Whitney Elementary School
• Anna Berman, Trilogy School of Performing Arts
• Brenda Bollman, Lake Zurich May Whitney Elementary
• Jill Brooks, Lake Zurich Isaac Fox Elementary School
• Bill Herlocker, Lake Zurich Middle School North
• Melanie Honegger, Lake Zurich Middle School North
• Phil Stanko, Lake Zurich High School
• Suzanne Weider, Lake Zurich Seth Paine Elementary School
• John Zarr, Lake Zurich High School

Citizen of the Year

Honors a citizen who has made significant contributions to the betterment of the community during the last 12 months in the areas of: Leadership, Philanthropy, Public Service and Volunteerism. This individual has a positive influence on the lives of others in the community.

• Tim Siefert, Timothy Grant Jewelry — Citizen of the Year Award Recipient
• Avis Bonnett, US Bank Home Loans
• Terry Mastandrea, Retired Lake Zurich Fire Rescue Department
• Craig Taylor, Lake County Board
• Tony Tinaglia, Interface Financial Group
• Bob Vitas, Village Of Lake Zurich

Chamber Volunteer of the Year

Honors the Chamber member representative who has given selflessly and contributed significantly to the success and growth of the Chamber of Commerce through their involvement during the past year.

• Hanan Hafez, Inland Bank & Trust — Chamber Volunteer of the Year Award Recipient
• Anna Berman, Trilogy School of Performing Arts
• Bonnie Conte, Avalon Salon & Day
• Ken Grooms, Grooms Insurance Associates

Samuel R. Mitchell Director of the Year

Honors the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce Director who has best met the challenge of leadership and exceeded expectations

• Rich Palmblad, Signscapes — Director of the Year Award Recipient
• Ken Grooms, Grooms Insurance Associates
• Nancy Needham, Melon Ink Screen Print | Elegant Embroidery
• Justin Pathmann, Pathmann Construction Management, Inc.

“The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce congratulates each of the 2011 Excellence Award recipients and nominees for their tremendous contributions,” said LZACC Executive Director Dale Perrin. “The attendance by elected officials as well as business and community leaders at this year’s Evening of Excellence underscores the ongoing commitment and involvement of our members as well as the growing influence of the organization as an agent for positive change in the communities we serve.”

The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the Entertainment Sponsors for this year’s event as well: Call Me Social Butterfly, Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Lake Zurich and Lake County Board Member Craig Taylor.

The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce represents approximately 500 businesses and organizations in the Lake Zurich Area including Deer Park, Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer, Lake Zurich, Long Grove, and North Barrington. It has been in existence since 1915. Contact the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce at (847) 438-5572 or visit www.lzacc.com for more information.

The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce provided this information.