Accomplishments to be celebrated at Wooster chamber dinner
At the upcoming Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce dinner meeting, honorees will include Robin Wisner, left, Chad Kiefer, Chad Kauffman, Ashley Hershberger, Dan Freeman, Bill DeRodes, Andrew Guidetti, Leo Miller and Paul Fryman. The chamber's 124th annual dinner meeting will be Feb. 22 at Greystone Event Center in Wooster.
For the 124th year, local business professionals will gather to recognize the accomplishments of the community’s finest during the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner meeting on Thursday, Feb. 22 at Greystone Event Center.
Following a social hour at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m., awards in 10 different categories — including a pair for Small Business of the Year — will be presented at 7 p.m., with an after party concluding the evening at 8 p.m.
This year’s recipient for Small Business of the Year with less than 15 employees is JAFB Wooster Brewery, and the winner of the Small Business of the Year with more than 15 employees is Smetzer’s Tire Center, announced Samira Zimmerly, chamber president.
“Since 2012 JAFB Wooster Brewery has been serving beers and providing a comfortable space for friends to gather in Wooster’s downtown,” Zimmerly said. “The chamber has appreciated its partnership in hosting Young Professionals events throughout the years, participating in the Loyal to Local Holiday Shopping Passport program. Each year the chamber looks forward to featuring JAFB beers during Woosterfest.”
Zimmerly said Smetzer’s Tire Center has been serving the automotive needs of customers in the area for more than six decades, with the company’s focus and foundation being customer service.
“Smetzer’s Tire Center is a long-standing piece of the downtown Wooster community and continues to provide quality service to the community,” she said.
In addition to the small business awards, seven other honors will be given out during the dinner.
Freeman Building Systems has been named the Business of the Year, having been part of the Wooster community for more than 24 years.
“President Dan Freeman has more than 35 years of experience in construction and design, and the qualified staff has over 310 years of combined experience,” Zimmerly said. “The dedication to their work has always been focused on providing the best quality and performance for their customers.”
This year’s Wall of Fame recipient is Bill DeRodes, who has dedicated efforts to the success of multiple businesses in the Wooster community and contributes to local nonprofit organizations that focus on the betterment of the area’s citizens, Zimmerly said.
As this year’s Jack O’Donnell Award for Community Service recipient, Ashley Hershberger knows a thing or two about volunteering in her community. She is a board member for United Way of Wayne & Holmes Counties, is on the Facilities Master Planning Committee as a part of the Wooster City Schools Business Advisory Council, is a past president of the Kiwanis Club of Wooster, and currently is a club member and chair of the PR committee. Hershberger also is involved as a committee member for the Wayne County Transportation Coalition, Wayne County Family and Children First Council, Wayne County Children Services Marketing Committee, and the City of Wooster Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.
“These services are just a small glimpse into the daily service that Ashley dedicates to the community,” Zimmerly said, noting Hershberger’s commitment to chamber events as well.
The 2024 Mike Lezak Award for Volunteer Service, Andrew Guidetti, plays a crucial role on the committees of the Wooster Chamber’s two biggest events, the Wayne County Home & Garden Show and Woosterfest.
“Andrew is always available to lend a helping hand and selflessly gives up his time to the chamber ae nd community on a consistent and unwavering basis,” Zimmerly said.
For its support and sponsorship of annual chamber events and programs, Kitty Poo Club is being recognized with the Board of Directors Award.
“Each year Kitty Poo Club supports the annual dinner meeting, the Wayne Economic Forum, Woosterfest, Wooster Area Safety Council and the golf outing through sponsorships, attendance and volunteering,” Zimmerly said. “Kitty Poo Club continues to be the Main Squeeze Investor of Lemonade Day, a program where members are also involved in teaching workshops for the Lemonade Day kids, supporting them on the day their stands are operational and judging the Wayne County Entrepreneur of the Year competition. These events contribute significantly to furthering the chamber’s mission and operation.”
Joyful Cafe is recognized as the 2024 WorthyWorks Award recipient, given out in partnership with the Wayne County Community Foundation. This special coffee shop, located at HealthPoint, began when two moms of young adults with significant disabilities began to wonder, “What will my kids do once they age out of the special education system?” Zimmerly explained.
“A mutual friend put both families together, and magic began to happen. HealthPoint was interested in having a retail coffee shop located within its space, and when it heard of this dream, the facility thought its space might be the perfect place for a coffee shop that employed young adults with significant disabilities,” Zimmerly said.
Rounding out this year’s award recipients is Leo Miller, who will be recognized as the Leadership Wooster Distinguished Alumni. As president and CEO of the Apple Creek Banking Company, Miller is recognized for his significant contributions to the community and professional advancement for his more than 36 years in banking, Zimmerly said.
Zimmerly said the dinner is a perfect way to celebrate the accomplishments of the award winners and share the successes of the previous year and the goals of the new year for the chamber.
It’s also a great opportunity for new chamber members to get to know those who have been involved in the organization for years and learn what it takes to be a successful business in the Wooster community.
“We are very fortunate to have great community support for this event each year, with a sell-out crowd of more than 800 people,” Zimmerly said. “Getting involved with the Wooster Chamber not only offers your business support, but it is also an investment in your community.”