Expo and dinner honor business, civic leaders

4/1/2010
  • Expo-and-dinner-honor-business-civic-leaders


  • The eighth annual Showcase Sylvania Business Expo presented by the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce attracted about 4,500 people to Sylvania's Tam-O-Shanter Saturday.

    Nearly 160 local businesses and services were featured during the free event that included interactive displays, an energy fair, a children's area, Photo Booth Live, and the Sylvania Community Arts Commission Student Artfest in the family-friendly environment according to Pat Nowak, executive director.

    A preview party was held Friday and awards were presented. The specially designed glass awards were created by Homer Yarrito, a local nationally known artist.

    The Business Chamber Champion award went to The Blade: John Robinson Block, publisher and editor-in-chief, and Allan Block, chairman of Block Communications, parent company of Buckeye CableSystem and The Blade.

    The Small Business Chamber Champion award went to Budget Blinds: George Cordray.

    The Retail Business Chamber Champion award went to Gordon Foods.

    The Non Profit Organization Chamber Champion award went to Sylvania Area Community Services.

    The Chamber Champion Volunteer of the Year award went to Norm Koenigseker.

    The Chamber Champion Business Leader award went to Rick Stansley of Stansley Mineral Resources.

    A special award was presented to Bob Helmer, 2009 board chairmen.


    Chairman Karen McMahon and Kevin Lent, board president, presided over the event.

    Also seen were Janet Flack Rychnovsky, Sue Stevenson, Bill and Shannon Sanford, Ric and Lori Clark, Hunt and Cherie Sears, Terry and Denise Benton, Kevin Haddad, Candy and Bob Sturtz, John King, Colette and Mark Jacobs, Karen Fraker, Jim Armstrong, John Walsh, Sylvania TownshipTrustees Carol Contrada, John Jennewine, Mayor Craig Stough, and Lars Ringger, who announced the Chamber Cup Challenge, which starts in April and runs through December. It is a family-friendly competition between member teams led my Mr. Ringger, event chairman.

    More than 450 business and civic leaders attended the 17th annual dinner of the Wood County Economic Development Department Commission last week at the Hilton Garden Inn in Perrsyburg's Levis Commons. Lucas County representatives showed up to demonstrate regional cooperation.

    Networking and the meal were followed by the program led by emcee Jerry Anderson of WTOL-TV, Channel 11, who is a Bowling Green native.

    Tom Blaha, executive director, gave a few reflections, highlighting that the event also celebrated the $2 billion in growth in Wood County that was facilitated through the commission.

    President of the board Jack Jones turned the gavel over to new board president Rex Huffman and officers including Tim Pedro, Jerry Greiner, Kurt Miller, and Lane Williamson.

    Honored with the Corporate Citizen of the Year Award was Keystone Foods-Equity Group, a business in North Baltimore for 36 years. Accepting the award was Andrew Kornick, vice president and general manager.

    The American Heart Association's 13th annual Glass City Heart Ball took place Saturday at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Toledo. About 350 guests joined chairman Dr. Paul Berlacher to honor Stu Goldberg, who received the Legacy of Achievement Award, and Buzz Hermann, who was unable to attend but received the Legacy of Leadership Award.

    The “Remember When… Medical Milestones” evening hummed all night long with activity, including fine dining, dancing, entertainment, and silent and live auctions. Emcee Laura Emerson of WUPW-TV, Channel 36, kept everything moving at a steady pace.

    The $95,000 net proceeds fund research, education, and advocacy programs throughout northwest Ohio, including public health advocacy campaigns, physical activity and nutrition education, and lifesaving CPR courses.

    Sponsors included Northwest Ohio Cardiolgy Consultants, Toledo Cardiology Consultants, Medical Mutual, Fifth Third Bank, HCR ManorCare, Berman Building Company, and many more.

    Since 1924, the American Heart Association has helped protect people from the ravages of heart disease and stroke, which are among the nation's top killers, according to the association.

    Among the notables were Dr. David Lindstrom, AHA chairman of the board; Dr. Johnnie Early, UT dean of pharmacy; Dr. Blair Grubb, UTMC Heart and Vascular Center; and Dr. Ameer Kabour, CEO of Toledo Cardiology Consultants.

    Also attending were Toledo Mayor Mike Bell, Marv and Nancy Robon, Dr. Tom Schwann and his wife, Traci, and Dr. Fran Rogalski and his wife, Karen.