Fairfield Chamber of Commerce names award winners

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce honored the community’s leaders who are making a difference during its annual awards banquet on Thursday, April 20.

Joneane Parker was master of ceremonies for the event, and introduced the award winners and award sponsors as they took the stage to be recognized. Parker said she has a chance to visit every award recipient at their workplace to learn about the important role they play in the city.

The following is a list of the award winners who were named that night.

Chamber Past President Award — Jason Davis

Jason Davis was born and raised in Fairfield, and was president of the Fairfield Area Chamber Board of Directors during COVID.

“He was skillful in leading the chamber through turbulent times in the pandemic,” Parker said. “He is still advising as the immediate past president. Jason is a strong believer that the chamber is integral in helping businesses grow and in attracting businesses.”

Business Improvement Award — Cambridge Investment Research

Parker said that Cambridge Investment Research has done “stem to stern” renovations of both of their buildings north of Fairfield.

“They looked at how work happens today, and recognized that the traditional office space is not how it works today,” Parker said. “They wanted to create a place designed around social interaction and relationship building that still allows for some social distancing. From the roof down, things have been changed.”

Agricultural Award — Jefferson County Cattlemen’s Association

The Jefferson County Cattlemen’s Association is active in the community through its scholarship program and its summer grilling events such as the Barnyard Bash at Maasdam Barns. Parker said the group promotes the sale of beef, and promotes safe farming and safe animal husbandry.

Rising Star Award — Willow & Bright Boutique

Shelbee Richards and Claire Reid opened Willow & Bright Boutique in 2022 after asking themselves, “Where can women in Fairfield go to buy clothing?” Reid left behind her career as a nurse, and Richards left behind her career as a teacher to start an online business that later moved into retail space on North Main Street.

“They took that leap of faith, and now they are realizing a dream,” Parker said.

Tourism Award — Joe Hird and the Fairfield Streets Department

Joe Hird and the city’s streets department received this award for the work they do with the chamber setting up Christmas decorations on the square.

“Joe works his heart out, and he’s led the charge to get safe, ample electricity for the park,” Parker said. “He got the lights changed to LED so we could have better lighting for our Christmas City.”

Parker thanked the streets department for its early morning work hanging wreaths along city streets, which they start at 4 a.m. so they don’t impede traffic.

Manufacturer of the Year — The Nelson Company

Parker referred to the staff at The Nelson Company as a “wonderful group of people” who run a full-service machine shop that designs tools.

“Pete Nelson started it in his garage with just himself and one customer, and they’ve grown and grown over the last 51 years,” Parker said.

Service Business of the Year — Americus Diamond

Christopher and Kim Kufner were honored for their jewelry business that began in 1981 with “customer service as their No. 1 priority,” Parker said. Parker said none of the business’s gems are lab-made, and that all of them are real.

“When you talk to these folks, you get a sense for how important quality is to these people,” Parker said.

Project of the Year — Cambridge Little Achievers Center

The Cambridge Little Achievers Center opened in January on Libertyville Road. For its first day of operation, the center welcomed 60 children and 17 staff members. It is large enough to host as many as 180 children.

Parker said the project shows the value of every single donor, large and small, making a difference. The child care center is the result of years of research into the county’s child care shortage, which a few years ago was estimated at more than 500 slots.

Restaurant of the Year — Asian Pho Bistro

Parker said she enjoyed the time she spent visiting Asian Pho Bistro’s owner Geena Xayavong.

“She was so fast getting the dishes put together, and they were magazine beautiful,” Parker said. “She’s very picky about using quality Asian products, and is not hesitant to turn away things that don’t meet her exacting specifications.”

Retailer of the Year — SOMM Wines

“Where does one go in small town Iowa to find a 350-individual bottle boutique?” asked Parker. “The answer is Fairfield, Iowa.”

Since moving from the square to its own building on East Briggs Avenue, SOMM Wines has expanded and now offers a stage for live music, and has partnered with Breadtopia and Pickle Creek Herbs to serve local food.

Young Professional of the Year — Brittney Tiller

Brittney Tiller is Jefferson County Conservation Naturalist, and on top of that, she and Therese Cummiskey authored a book called “The Adventures of Toad and Timberdoodle: Leaving Winter Behind.” Parker said the book was such a hit that Tiller and Cummiskey are planning a second book with a focus on wetlands.

“Brittney is amazing, and I could talk about her forever,” Parker said. “She is always positive, is a woman of strong faith and her connections to her family have set her up for success in whatever endeavor she takes on.”

Best Kept Secret Award — Pickle Creek Herbs

Jocelyn and Tim Engman gave up Chicagoland chemistry jobs to return to the family farm. They started the business Pickle Creek Herbs, where they grow herbs, berries, tomatoes and garlic to create herb-infused olive oils, vinegars, soaps, salves, deodorants and lip balms, according to their website.

Economic Impact Award — Greater Jefferson County Foundation

The Greater Jefferson County Foundation began in 1975 from an event that was once a fundraiser for Parsons College. After the sale of the Bethany Home on North Main Street, the group had about $70,000 to invest. Today, the organization gives grants in excess of $150,000 and scholarships of about that same amount.

Entrepreneurial Spirit Award — Lunchbox

Camp Boswell and Teah Benkoczy opened Lunchbox Fairfield on North Fourth Street, and later opened The Broth Lab and more recently the workout location Soar Studios. Parker said these businesses really show off Fairfield’s multicultural feel, and shows the owners’ commitment to entrepreneurship.

Student Employee of the Year — Adrian Scotton

Adrian Scotton works at Hy-Vee in Fairfield, where he also balances his studies in calculus and physics with extracurriculars like bowling, band and soccer. He also volunteers for Interact and 4-H. He plans to attend Indian Hills Community College and later the University of Iowa, where he plans to study astronomy and physics.

Legacy Award — Jack Kulp

Jack Kulp founded TrafFix Devices in Fairfield, which is celebrating its 37th anniversary and is now 170 employees strong. Parker said his goal in founding the company was saving the lives of road workers and motorists alike, which he’s done by designing road safety equipment.

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Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com

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