Chamber award finalists named

April 01--LIMA -- Once a year, the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce recognizes efforts of company owners and others who are community business leaders.

The chamber on Monday announced finalists for the 12th annual Awards Gala.

"We want to recognize people in the business community for their experience, efforts and hard work they put in to this community," chamber program director Adah Ellerbrock said.

The awards include small business of the year, nonprofit agency of the year, woman-owned business of the year, emerging business of the year, young leader of the year, and the Athena award.

The gala is at 5:30 p.m.May 7 at the University of Northwestern Ohio Event Center. The theme this year is "Puttin on the Ritz," and the evening is black tie optional. Tickets for chamber members are $40 each or $280 for a table of eight and for non-members, $45 each or $320 for a table. Call 419-222-6045 or email [email protected] for details. The event is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank and Sheakley. Post Printing is the print sponsor and The Lima News and Your Hometown Stations are the media sponsors.

This year, the chamber did away with the Minority Owned Business category, as an award is already presented through the Walter C. Potts Entrepreneur Center. The chamber believed it was duplicating efforts, and instead added the new young leader award this year.

The 2014 award finalists are:

--Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Citizens National Bank: Sign Pro Imaging, T&D Interiors and Yocum Realty.

--Non-Profit Agency of the Year, sponsored by Tom Ahl Family of Dealerships: Lima Allen Council on Community Affairs, Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen and West Ohio Food Bank.

--Woman-Owned Business of the Year, sponsored by The Union Bank: Cowan Realtors, Women's Health for Life Inc., and Xpressions by Heather.

--Emerging Business of the Year, sponsored by The State Bank: State Farm Insurance -- Ben Anderson, Crankers Cycling and Modo Media.

--Young Leader of the Year: sponsored by St. Rita's Medical Center: Michael Ley with Ley Insurance, Jessika Phillips with NOW Marketing Group and Kurt Neeper with Superior Federal Credit Union.

--Athena Award, sponsored by Lima Auto Mall: Tammie Colon, with Coleman Behavioral Health, Karen Grothouse, with Spherion and Wendy Baxter with AFLAC Marc Wright Benefits Consulting.

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