Pictured in front from left are Megan McClellan, Syracuse-Wawasee Trails, Syracuse-Woman of the Year; Jill Garris, The Pier and Back Porch, Restaurant of the Year; Doug Shoemaker, S.S. Lilypad, Most Uniquely Syracuse; Marie Butler-Knight, Syracuse Lions Club, Nonprofit of the Year; Susan and Andy Cripe, Young Professionals of the Year; Cindy Brady, Syracuse Elementary School, Outstanding Educator of the Year.
Pictured in second row are Tricia Small, Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware, sponsor of Syracuse-Woman of the Year; Kim Strawbridge, Lake City Bank, sponsor of Retailer of the Year; Jeanetta Slabaugh, Crossroads Bank, sponsor of New Business of the Year; Tom and Holly Tuttle, Team Tuttle Mortgage, LLC, sponsor of Nonprofit of the Year; Doc Brungardt, Lakeland Animal Clinic, sponsor of Outstanding Educator.
Pictured in back are Ron Baumgartner, The Papers, Inc., sponsor of Restaurant of the Year; Heath Simcoe, Mutual Bank, sponsor of Service Excellence Award; Jeff Galloway, Main Channel Marina, awarded Service Excellence; Dustin Johns, Travel Lite RV, New Business of the Year; Joe Leach, Syracuse Police Department, Syracuse-Man of the Year. Not pictured are Matthew Bochard, Ambassador of the Year, and Napa Auto Parts, Retailer of the Year. (Photos by Elisa Walker)

SYRACUSE — While the annual silent auction took place, the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce Banquet started off by recognizing chamber members who have stepped in to serve the chamber Tuesday evening, Feb. 26, at The Owl’s Nest.

A plaque was also given to retiring members Chip Erwin, Sleepy Owl; and Kristy Rumfelt, Beyond Landscaping, for their years of service.

Executive Director Andrea Keller continued to speak about the membership retreat that was taken to focus on governance training and how to effectively impact the community while serving as a solid foundation. Keller announced that the chamber’s new mission to enhance the Syracuse-Wawasee community

“Our new mission is to enhance the Syracuse-Wawasee community by engaging and advancing our businesses. We also created a vision 2025: we aspire to a community where businesses flourish, residents thrive, and visitors are inspired. We also established core operational values. These will help guide us as we make decisions as a governing body.”

Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Andrea Keller excitedly announced the chamber’s future plans before announcing award recipients.

The values are leadership, integrity, fiscal responsibility, engagement, communication and vision.

The mission will focus to three areas: communicate organization relevancey and viability, facilitate impactful Syracuse community development and enhance the success of our members. From there, the plan was broken down into four strategic goals.

Keller stated, “We strive to take under influential chamber stakeholder relations and advocacy, further chamber resources development and operations, promote and enhance a vibrant sustainable local economy, and deploy effective membership sales, programs and promotions.”

The chamber will work to complete 23 initiatives that fall under the four strategic goals over the next three years, going into detail as to how progress will be tracked.

“This doesn’t describe everything the chamber does to maintain the membership organization and further the interest of business in the Syracuse community, but we’re optimistic that we can achieve all that we have set forth in our plan based on our resources,” Keller concluded before moving to the awards.

The New Business of the Year award, which goes to a business or organization whose investment enhances the Syracuse-Wawasee economic and aesthetic future, was sponsored by Crossroads Bank and awarded to Travel Lite RV.

The Restaurant of the Year award, which goes to a restaurant in the community that serves as a standard of consistent quality and excellence in food, atmosphere and service, was sponsored by The Papers, Inc. and awarded to The Pier and Back Porch.

The Service Excellence award, which goes to a service business in the community that has shown exceptional growth through the creation of jobs, revenue growth or introduced new innovative products or services, was sponsored by MutualBank and awarded to Main Channel Marina.

The Retailer of the Year award, which goes to a retail establishment that services as the standard for consistent quality and excellence in product, atmosphere and service, was sponsored by Lake City Bank and awarded to Napa Auto Parts.

The Nonprofit of the Year award, which goes to a group that has positively affected the community while adhering to the nonprofit’s mission statement, was sponsored by Team Tuttle Mortgage and awarded to Syracuse Lions Club.

The Young Professional of the Year award, which goes to a founder, owner or CEO of a company demonstrating a high level of entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, perseverance, creativity, integrity and determination, was sponsored by Horizon Bank and awarded to Susan and Andy Cripe of Boomerang Backpacks.

The Outstanding Educator award goes to an administrator, mentor, teacher or peer tutor in the Wawasee School District who has made contributions to the academic success of students. The award was sponsored by Lakeland Animal Clinic and given to Cindy Brady, the student services coordinator who works with students with disabilities.

One nominee commented, “Cindy Brady is always going above and beyond for her students. “She works closely with her students’ families to make sure they get the services they need. She also coordinates the Giving Tree Program each year, which gives Christmas gifts to 50-60 families in the area.”

Ultimately, the outstanding individuals who represent Syracuse are the ones who work tirelessly to make it a unique jewel in Kosciusko County. Pictured are Megan McClellan, Syracuse-Wawasee Trails, Syracuse-Woman of the Year; Doug Shoemaker, S.S. Lilypad, Most Uniquely Syracuse; Joe Leach, Syracuse Police Department, Syracuse-Man of the Year.

The Syracuse-Man and Syracuse-Woman of the Year award, based on contributions to community service beyond their professional job, are a creative influence, and contribute to team building and community growth, was sponsored by Owen Family Funeral Home and Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware and awarded to Joe Leach and Megan McClellan.

The Most Uniquely Syracuse award, which goes to a member of the community who embraces the unique culture and history, held various fundraisers for organizations, was sponsored by Northern Lakes Insurance. The award was presented to the S.S. Lilypad, which serves as a tourist destination and has been a part of the community for 23 years.

The Ambassador of the Year award, which goes to a Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce ambassador who has attended and participated in several chamber events, was sponsored by Bass Audiology and awarded to Matthew Bochard.