2013 Excellence Award Nominees Announced

The LZ Area Chamber of Commerce’s Excellence Awards bestows honor and recognition to the businesses and individuals for their efforts to make the Lake Zurich Area a better place in which to live and work. Nominations were solicited from businesses, area residents and government entities.  Awards will be presented at the Chamber’s Evening of Excellence Awards Banquet on Saturday, January 25th at Concorde Banquets in Kildeer.  The awards will be presented immediately following dinner.  After the presentation, the dancing will begin with BBI whose music includes Motown and dance music. 

Tickets for the reception, dinner, and dancing are $90 per person, $160 for 2 people.  Reservations are required for the dinner and dance by Friday, January 17, 2014.  

The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce (LZACC) is pleased to announce the following nominees for the 2013 Excellence Awards:

Business of the Year

Honors a Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce business or organization that has made a positive impact on the Lake Zurich Area during the last 12 months by demonstrating: Support and involvement in the Chamber, an ongoing commitment to quality products and service, business growth, innovation, involvement in/ support of community, philanthropy, significant improvement to facility, support of employees, other special recognition either within the community or field of business:

Advanced Security Technologies, Lake Zurich

Barrington Bank & Trust, Barrington

Beelow’s Steakhouse, Lake Zurich

Chris Geimer Design, Lake Zurich

Grooms Insurance Associates, Lake Zurich

Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Lake Zurich

Melon Ink Screen Press | Elegant Embroidery, Lake Zurich

On Occasion Catering & Events, Lake Zurich

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. 

Sherry Fisher, Middle School North

Kristen Krueger, May Whitney Elementary School

Aaron Towne, 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, volunteerism, having a positive influence on the lives of others and the community.

Janet Barron, Lake Zurich

Rose DePaola, Lake Zurich

Susan Dillon, Ela Township

Tom Gescheidle, Long Grove

Hanan Hafez, Lake Zurich

Stephanie Smith-Howard, Mundelein

Michael Talbett, Kildeer

Chamber Volunteer of the Year

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

Bonnie Conte, Avalon Salon and Day Spa

Janet Dobson, Kemper Lakes Golf Club

Chris Geimer, Chris Geimer Design

Beth Klyczek, Posthumous, Inland Bank and Trust

Muffi Painter, Polaris Financial Services

Laurie Wilhoit, Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce

LZACC Board of Director Member of the Year

Honors that Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce Director who during the past year has best met the challenges of leadership and exceeded expectations as a member of the Board of Directors.

Janet Dobson, Kemper Lakes Golf Club

Chris Geimer, Chris Geimer Design

Ken Grooms, Grooms Insurance Associates

Justin Pathmann, Pathmann Construction Management

Claire Slattery, Mindful Mix

LZACC President Bonnie Conte, co-owner Avalon Salon and Day Spa “Our annual Evening of Excellence event gives us the opportunity to publicly recognize individuals and businesses who have positively impacted our community over the last year.  It is through their passion and volunteerism that we are all inspired to build an even better tomorrow.”

The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce represents nearly 500 businesses and organizations in the Lake Zurich Area including Deer Park, Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer, Lake Zurich, Long Grove, and North Barrington.  In 2013, the Accrediting Board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce designated the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce as an Accredited chamber.  Accreditation indicates that a chamber of commerce operates under effective organizational procedures and contributes to significant positive change in the community.  To achieve this standing, we performed an intensive self-assessment of our operations in nine areas of work, including governance, government affairs, and technology.  It has been in existence since 1915.  Contact the LZ Area Chamber of Commerce by telephone at 847-438-5572, e-mail at info@lzacc.com, or website at www.LakeZurichAreaChamber.com for more information.