Contact: Brian Johnson (920) 593-3408
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Green Bay, Wis.- (Sept. 19, 2007)- Current, the young professionals network of the greater Green Bay area, is pleased to announce the recipients of its first awards presentation, held Tuesday, Sept. 18 at the Regency Suites/KI Convention Center. Honorees included:
· Young Professional of the Year: Joel Hansen, Schenck Business Solutions. The Young Professionals of the Year Award recognizes an individual who demonstrates commitment to Brown County through civic and business involvement. Hansen, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Green, serves on its board of directors for the university’s alumni association, is very involved in Current and the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce as a whole, including serving as a Chamber ambassador for the past three years and graduating from the Leadership Green Bay program. He also volunteers for the United Way and Green Bay Economic Development Authority.
· Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Troy Streckenbach, Jimmy Seas, Marco’s Seafood Club and Stir Ups. The Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award focuses on positive community impact and the demonstrated business success of an individual. “Not only does Troy have some thriving establishments, but he’s very involved in Current as one of the individuals who has driven the organization since its inception,” said Tony Steffek, Denissen, Kranzuch, Mahoney and Ewald, the chairman of Current’s recruitment and retention committee, which oversaw the award selection process. “He is very involved in the community while managing a strong home life with his wife and two young children.”
· Esprit de Corps: Dan Terrien, Woodward Radio Group. The Esprit de Corps award is presented to an individual who embodies the values of Current and selflessly promotes the young professional program. In addition to serving on the steering committee for Current and as the organization’s vice chairman, Dan is a regular attendee at Current events and promotes the organization’s benefits with everyone he meets through his job as an account executive with Woodward Radio Group. Dan has also served as a Chamber ambassador for the past three years. “Dan just has a great attitude about being involved in Current and takes advantage of all opportunities to encourage people’s involvement,” said Steffek.
· Next Generation Best Place to Work: Schenck Business Solutions. This award is presented to a business with a demonstrated commitment to the development of young professionals, adapts work-life friendly policies, values generational differences and institutes attraction and retention initiatives for young talent. Dennis Langenberg, managing shareholder at the Green Bay Schenck Business Solutions office, said the company puts an intentional focus on attracting younger workers with policies that include helping to purchase a computer for home use, assisting in the fees for their certified public accountant exam and supporting employees’ involvement in the community.
“We received a number of great applications from prominent businesses in our community, but Schenck
Business Solutions met all the requirements we had set going into the process. In addition to the policies above, Schenck impressed us with the vacation time they provide to new employees, continuing education policy and the events they schedule for employees to alleviate pressure, particularly during the tax season,” said Steffek. “Plus, Schenck Business Solutions takes great pride in integrating new and younger employees with the established employees in the firm, which only enhances business camaraderie.”
About 130 people attended the luncheon, which featured Tammy Elliot, WFRV, Channel 5 anchor, as its keynote speaker. Elliot shared her personal experience of moving to Milwaukee but returning to the Green Bay area because of the area’s combined work and life opportunities.
For more information, please contact Brian Johnson at (920) 593-3408 or bjohnson@titletown.org.
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Established in 1882, the mission of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is to promote economic and community development. Chamber programs include Advance, Partners in Education, Leadership Green Bay, Brown County Teen Leadership, Current--the Young Professionals Network, Good Government Council, the International Business Development Consortium and the Small Business Council.
