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Fairfield chamber hosts annual banquet
FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet on Thursday, April 28 at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center.
Local business leaders and individuals received awards for making Fairfield a great place to live. They were called to the stage in the expo hall, where the awards banquet was held following a social hour and dinner.
Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce Director Mendy McAdams said the event was a tremendous success.
“It was good to have so many people get together and celebrate our businesses,” she said. “I think this was one of our biggest turnouts.”
McAdams said the chamber always sends a survey to banquet attendees asking what they thought of the event and how the chamber can improve it for next year.
“We want everyone to enjoy our events and make them better,” McAdams said.
The Fairfield All-Star Jazz Band provided entertainment for the evening. The meal was catered by Sweet ‘n Saucy, which also took home the award for Restaurant of the Year.
“People told me that the food was just great,” McAdams said.
The award recipients that evening were:
Chamber Past President Award: Jason Davis, who also received the Young Professional of the Year Award
“Jason was invaluable to the chamber, providing his leadership in all areas,” said Joneane Parker, master of ceremonies that evening. “He took over Leadership Fairfield, and did the planning for sessions and attended them to make sure they went well.”
Fairfield Manufacturers Association Past President Award: Mike Nelson
“Mike was in the same position as Jason, started serving as president in 2019, and going all through COVID,” Parker said. “He’s been a guiding force that for association during challenging times.”
Business Improvement Award: Bovard Studios
“They really care about their staff, and they added a new 12,000 square food building to expand their operations,” Parker said.
Agriculture Award: Kenny and Karen Whitham
“They farm about 700 acres, and are excellent stewards of the land, having constructed many terraces, keeping the water clean,” Parker said.
Rising Star Award: The Well
“They’re joining hands to provide a resource to people who have run out of resources,” Parker said. “The Well Resource Center helps people explore where they want to be, not where they are now.”
Tourism Award: Fairfield Convention and Visitors Bureau
“This group works hard to keep Fairfield front and center as a place to go,” Parker said.
Manufacturer of the Year: TrafFix Devices
“They’re an essential business providing traffic control safety, with a new 20,000 square feet building,” Parker said.
Service Business of the Year Award: Sinclair Tractor
“This is a family owned local business that has grown and grown, striving to earn your business every day,” Parker said.
Project of the Year Award: Nady Prairie
“The current value of the land is $1 million, and is in a conservation easement program into perpetuity,” Parker said. “They’re connecting trails that connect to our existing Loop Trail.”
Restaurant of the Year Award: Sweet ‘n Saucy
“This is a family business for sure,” Parker said. “Tony and Norma Baker and their daughters make this a great place to eat.”
Retailer of the Year Award: Everybody’s Whole Foods
“Eight of Everybody’s staff attended because they are responsible for this award,” Parker said.
Best Kept Secret Award: Sanctuary Fairfield
“You’re draw into a comforting, healing spa when you go there, and they’re already expanding,” Parker said.
Economic Impact Award: Fairfield Economic Development Association
“Joshua Laraby said its seven-member board is the engine behind the group’s success,” Parker said.
Entrepreneurial Spirit Award: Mad Hatter Billiards
“During the tough COVID times, with staffing and food problems, who would dare take a leap of faith and totally refashion your business?” Parker said.
Student Employee of the Year: Kylie Martin, of Libertyville Savings Bank
“She’s dependable, detail oriented and a mentor for new hires,” Parker said of Martin.
Legacy Award: Pat Kessel, of Farm Bureau Financial Services
“Pat mentors and works with agents in eight counties, and is active in the community and is a heck of a fisherman and hunter,” Parker said.
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com
Burt Chojnowski accepted the Business Improvement Award on behalf of Bovard Studios. Presenting the award was Vanessa Willman of Foss, Kuiken, Cochran, Helling & Willman, P.C. (Photo courtesy of Werner Elmker)
Fairfield Economic Development Association received the Economic Impact Award: Pictured are, from left, Joe Stever, Alissa Ward, Aaron Kness, Josh Laraby, Curtis Smith, Amy Jones and Ken Ross. (Photo courtesy of Werner Elmker)
Everybody’s Whole Foods received the Retailer of the Year Award. Accepting the award were employees Laura Koelblinger, Sonia Ollom, Jeff Anderson, Lisa Ellis, Brian Parcell, Michael Hunt, Nanette Schoenewe and Samantha Williams. Presenting the award was Jessica Anderson of Washington State Bank. (Photo courtesy of Werner Elmker)
Jason Davis, right, accepts the Chamber Past President Award presented by Connor Everright of KMCD. (Photo courtesy of Werner Elmker)
Jason Davis accepts the Young Professional of the Year Award presented by Carrie Lathrop of Cambridge Investment Research. (Photo courtesy of Werner Elmker)
Kenny and Karen Whitham accept the Agricultural Award. (Photo courtesy of Werner Elmker)
Kylie Martin, right, accepts the Student Employee of the Year. (Photo courtesy of Werner Elmker)
Graduates of Leadership Fairfield are, from left, Hilary Lanman, Marc Cooper, Stephanie Bard, Spencer Peterman, Mendy McAdams, Christy Grove, Megan Coffin, Alecs Mickunas, Amy Ferrel, Danielle Gordy, Tami Kramer and Sam Humble. Not pictured: Gavin Stever and Ian Bee. (Photo courtesy of Werner Elmker)
Sharon Stinogel, left, of Mad Hatter Billiards accepts the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award from Lori Shaefer-Weaton of Agri-Industrial Plastics. (Photo courtesy of Werner Elmker)
Ron Blair, right, accepts the Project of the Year Award on behalf of Nady Prairie, presented by Ryan Swanson of Pilot Grove Savings Bank. (Photo courtesy of Werner Elmker)
Patrick Kessel of Farm Bureau Financial Services receives the Legacy Award presented by Aaron Kness of Iowa State Bank. (Photo courtesy of Werner Elmker)
Sanctuary Fairfield received the Best Kept Secret Award. Josie Day, second from left, accepted the award, presented by members of Moxie: Mayree Workman, Rhonda Short, Erica Olson and Kristen Hafner. (Photo courtesy of Werner Elmker)
Josh Arendt accepts the award for Service Business of the Year on behalf of Sinclair Tractor. The award was presented by Margie Goehring of Ottumwa Radio. (Photo courtesy of Werner Elmker)
Sweet ‘n Saucy was named Restaurant of the Year. Neysa, Norma, Shannan and Tony Baker accepted the award, presented by Arnold Weirup of Behner Funeral Home. (Photo courtesy of Werner Elmker)
The Well Fairfield received the Rising Star Award. The award was presented by Bryan Hunger (JCHC), to Kerry Dierking of The Well. (Photo courtesy of Werner Elmker)
Mike Parker, right, accepts the award for Manufacturer of the Year on behalf of TrafFix Devices presented by Chad Christensen of the Fairfield Manufacturers Association. (Photo courtesy of Werner Elmker)
Terry Baker, right, of the Fairfield Convention and Visitors Bureau accepts the Tourism Award presented by Josie Day of Sanctuary Fairfield. (Photo courtesy of Werner Elmker)
