January 04, 2025

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Joliet Chamber announces its ‘2024 success’ award recipients

Tickets available now for celebration event

By Denise M. Baran-Unland

Jen Howard, Chamber of Commerce President, speaks at the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce 110th Anniversary luncheon on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024 at the Renaissance Center in Joliet. — Jen Howard, Chamber of Commerce President, speaks at the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce 110th Anniversary luncheon on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024 at the Renaissance Center in Joliet. The Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry will host its 2025 Annual Awards Dinner & Celebration of 2024 Success on Feb. 25. (Gary Middendorf)

January 02, 2025 at 10:00 am CST

The Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry will host its 2025 Annual Awards Dinner & Celebration of 2024 Success on Feb. 25.

The following award recipients will be honored at the event.

Ambassador of the Year: Chris Osterfund, branch manager, Old National Bank

Old National Bank on Chicago Street in Downtown Joliet on Tuesday, Aug. 1. — Old National Bank on Chicago Street in downtown Joliet on Tuesday, Aug. 1. (Gary Middendorf – gmiddendorf@shawmedia/Gary Middendorf)

Brother James Gaffney Award of Excellence: The Cemeno family

Cemeno's Pizza, which has a restaurant on Essington Road in Joliet, plans to open a Cemeno's at the Park location at the Inwood complex owned by the Joliet Park District. April 15, 2024. — Cemeno's Pizza, which has a restaurant on Essington Road in Joliet, plans to open a Cemeno's at the Park location at the Inwood complex owned by the Joliet Park District. April 15, 2024. (Bob Okon)

Large Employer of the Year: Joliet Park District

A sign outside the Inwood Ice Arena lists improvements being made at the Joliet Park District facility. Sept. 24, 2024 — A sign outside the Inwood Ice Arena lists improvements being made at the Joliet Park District facility. Sept. 24, 2024 (Bob Okon)

Lifetime Achievement: Deb Condotti

New Business of the Year: Internode Greenery and Home

Michele Arana-Bianchi stands by her Internode Greenery and Home stand at the weekly Farmers Market in downtown Joliet on Saturday, May 11, 2024. — Michele Arana-Bianchi stands by her Internode Greenery and Home stand at the weekly farmers market in downtown Joliet on Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Gary Middendorf)

Small Business of the Year: Joliet Electric Motors

Joliet Electric Motors CEO Tim Tibbott poses for a photo on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. — Joliet Electric Motors CEO Tim Tibbott poses for a photo Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Gary Middendorf)

Young Professional of the Year: Kate Gillmann, tourism manager, Heritage Corridor Destinations

In addition, the following five categories each have three nominees:

Education: Joliet Job Corps, Laraway School District 70-C and Troy School District 30-C

Financial: BankFinancial, Busey Bank and KSKJ Life

Director Cashanna Armstrong speaks at the Joliet Job Corps 60th anniversary open house on Thursday, August 29, 2024 in Joliet. — Director Cashanna Armstrong speaks at the Joliet Job Corps 60th anniversary open house Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Joliet. (Gary Middendorf)

Professional: Discount Technology Workforce, Servpro of Joliet, Unidos Marketing Network

Retail: Blue Ribbon Products, Siegel’s Cottonwood Farms, United Rentals

Social: Alzheimer’s Association, National Hook-Up of Black Women Joliet Chapter, Pink Heals Joliet Area Chapter

Debra Upshaw, President of the Joliet Chapter of the National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc., shares remarks at the S.E.E.D. graduation at the Northern Illinois Food Bank South Suburban Center in Joliet on March 14, 2024. — Debra Upshaw, president of the Joliet Chapter of the National Hook-Up of Black Women Inc., shares remarks at the S.E.E.D. graduation at the Northern Illinois Food Bank South Suburban Center in Joliet on March 14, 2024. (Laurie Fanelli)

Cocktails at the award celebration will begin at 5 p.m. Dinner and the program will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

The event will be held at the Renaissance Center, 214 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet.

Tickets are $60 each. Tables of 10 are available. The reservation deadline is Feb. 20.

For tickets and more information, visit jolietchamber.com.

We welcome news about business developments in our communities. We appreciate hearing about local business comings and goings, new hours, expansions, and milestones in the Joliet area. If you have a tip to share for Eyes on Enterprise, email news@theherald-news.com.