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WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT GENESEE REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2009 BUSINESS AWARDS

Winners | Anniversary Milestone Awards | Ambassador of the Year | Nominees

(NOVEMBER 5, 2009, FLINT, MICHIGAN) Fifty companies were nominated to receive one of 10 awards during the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce 2009 Business Awards, held Wednesday, November 4, 2009, at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre in Flint. While not all could walk away with an award, all walked away winners.

Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce photo Tim Herman (back row, second from left), Regional Chamber CEO, poses with the Landaal family of Landaal Packaging Systems who were honored with the C.S. Mott Citizen of the Year Award. Click here for photos of all award winners.

Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce photo Some of the winners who were honored at the 2009 Business Awards dinner on November 4, 2009. Back row from left: ROWE Professional Services Company–Green Business of the Year; Mass Transportation Authority–Community Beautification; Mac Arthur Corporation–Minority-Owned Business of the Year; THA Architects Engineers–Corporate Citizenship; Front row from left: TMI Custom Air Systems–Manufacturing Business of the Year; Edible Arrangements–Retail Business of the Year; Melissa Jacobsen–Ambassador of the Year; and Jan's Professional Dry Cleaners–Service Business of the Year. Not pictured is Leonard's Auto Works & Towing–Woman-Owned Business of the Year.

The Business Awards program is held to recognize organizations and individuals in several categories who have excelled in their chosen fields. The Landaal Family of Landaal Packaging Systems was honored with the C.S. Mott Citizen of the Year award, and Baker College of Flint received the Robert P. Gerholz Business of the Year award.

“The Landaals are an outstanding family in our community, and their rich tradition is not only a stellar example of corporate citizenship but makes them excellent recipients of the Charles Stewart Mott Citizen of the Year award,” said Tim Herman, Regional Chamber CEO. “The Landaal family has always believed that with success comes the responsibility to give back to the community. They have donated their time, talent and money to important causes, and remained a part of the Flint fabric as the community has undergoing major changes. I am pleased they were chosen to receive this honor.

“Honoring Baker College of Flint with the Robert P. Gerholz award is also extremely gratifying,” Herman added. “Baker has taken a strong leadership position in the community, continually expanding their vision and mission with a focus on developing programs to meet job needs in the marketplace. This is a well-deserved award.”

Nominations for the 2009 Business Awards were taken from Regional Chamber members, and recipients were selected by a panel of judges from the Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce. The C.S. Mott Citizen of the Year and the Robert P. Gerholz Business of the Year were nominated by the Regional Chamber Leadership Team, and selected by the Regional Chamber Operating Board.

Linda Morris Belford, owner of Edible Arrangements of Grand Blanc, said she was honored to be recognized as the 2009 Retail Business of the Year.

“My success has been, in part, to the willingness of the Flint community to place confidence in a new product and refer friends and family,” she said. “The Regional Chamber does a nice job of encouraging support of local businesses.

“The evening also highlighted that the Flint Area will survive. So many wonderful individuals and companies are committed to us moving through the 21st Century with a fierce comeback,” Belford said. “And businesses that support entities such as the Regional Chamber are an important part of that economic comeback/survival.”

Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce photo Dr. Julianne Princinsky, President of Baker College of Flint and Board Chairman of the Regional Chamber's Operating Board of Directors, accepted the Robert P. Gerholz Business of the Year Award for Baker College of Flint.

At the event, several companies also publicly thanked the Regional Chamber and economic development staff for assistance in helping make their businesses a success.

“It is very rewarding to have our contributions recognized—particularly by clients that we admire and respect,” said Janice Karcher, Vice President of Economic Development and Strategic Planning.

“While recognizing the deserving recipients and other outstanding businesses nominated, this event was a great opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate Genesee County,” added Herman. “It was a wonderful evening.”

The night was also filled with good food, drinks, and laughs. There was entertainment throughout the night by The Steelheads Percussion Ensemble and Steel Band, comprised of student and professional musicians from Mott Community College and the University of Michigan-Flint.  And a silent auction that included roundtrip airline tickets, cruises, a round of golf at Warwick Hills and Davison County Club, overnight stays at area getaways and much more—all benefitting the Chamber Foundation support of the education and training of our Genesee County teens.

The 2009 Business Awards was sponsored by Blue Care Network of Michigan. Additional generous contributors included HealthPlus of Michigan, The Flint Journal, AT&T, STAT EMS, Holiday Inn Gateway Centre, Accident Fund, Ruth Mott Foundation, Chemical Bank, Cline, Cline & Griffin, PC, Food Bank of Eastern Michigan and ROWE Professional Services Company.

Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce photo The 2009 Business Awards honoring 50 area business was hosted at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre on November 4, 2009. Click here for more photos of the evening.

2009 Outstanding Award winners:

• Edible Arrangements – Retail Business Award
• Jan’s Professional Dry Cleaners – Service Business Award
• Leonard’s Auto Works & Towing – Woman-Owned Business Award
• Mac Arthur Corporation –  Minority-Owned Business Award
• Mass Transportation Authority – Community Beautification
• ROWE Professional Services Company – Green Business Award
• THA Architects Engineers – Corporate Citizenship
• TMI Custom Air Systems – Manufacturing Business Award

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Anniversary Milestone Awards:

• HealthPlus of Michigan — 30th Anniversary
• Job Corps — 45th Anniversary
• Luigi’s Restaurant & Pizzeria — 45th Anniversary
• Art Van Furniture — 50th Anniversary
• John’s Restaurant & Pizzeria — 50th Anniversary
• Landaal Packaging Systems — 50th Anniversary
• Roma’s Pizzeria — 50th Anniversary
• Big Brothers Big Sisters — 65th Anniversary
• Italia Gardens, Inc. — 78th Anniversary
• Old Newsboys of Flint, Inc. — 85th Anniversary
• Vogt’s Flowers — 90th Anniversary
• Gould Engineering, Inc. — 97th Anniversary
• Hubbard Supply Co. — 144th Anniversary

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Ambassador of the Year:

• Melissa Jacobsen – Cleary University

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The remaining 2009 Award nominees included:

• 3D Imaging Services, LLC
• Ace Asphalt & Paving
• AmericInn Hotel and Suites 
• CFI Medical Supplies
• Churchill's Food & Spirits
• Compak Webcor Packaging Solutions
• Convergent Technology Partners
• Cooper Commercial Group, Ltd.
• Country Home Creations
• Donna’s Donuts
• Dunham's Sports
• Gaines Jewelry
• Genesee Valley Real Estate
• ICECAT
• J. Perez Construction
• Kettering University
• King Par
• Linden Toy Factory
• Martin Trucking
• McFall’s Collision Frame and Service
• McLaren Health Plan
• Mott Community College
• Pioneer Cabinetry, Inc.
• PMC Environmental Technologies
• Renaissance ProAdjuster Wellness Center
• Sagano Japanese Bistro & Steakhouse
• Stonegate Hospitality Group, Inc.
• TGI Direct
• Tia Helita's
• Tropi-Tan
• Vehicle City Harley-Davidson
• Vision Manufacturing & Plastics, Inc.
• Wade Trim
• White Horse Tavern
• The Williams Firm, P.C.
• WJRT-ABC12

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