More than 170 individuals from the Fond du Lac area business community gathered at Marian University Wednesday night to celebrate the Business of the Year, and other award-winning organizations. Dr. George Koonce, Marian’s Senior Vice President for University Relations, was the Master of Ceremonies for Marian University’s 41st Annual Business and Industry Awards, where area businesses are honored for their entrepreneurship, economic development, special achievement, and commitment to community.
And the winners are:
- Business of the Year: Wisconsin Lighting Lab
- Community Collaboration Award: St. Vincent de Paul, Solutions Center Shelter, and Drexel Building Supply
- Economic Development Award: Legacy Express, LLC
- Entrepreneur of the Year: Paul Reetz, Integrity Saw & Tool
- International Business Achievement Award: Wisconsin Spice
- Special Achievement Award: KFIZ
In addition, Allen Buechel was presented, posthumously, with the George Becker Business Spirit Award. Named after George Becker, former president of Giddings & Lewis and a member of Marian University’s Board of Trustees, the award is given to an individual, company, charitable organization, or civic group whose good business practices benefit the community, either through the ways they do business or their contribution to the community. As the longest-serving county executive in Wisconsin, Buechel’s dedication to the Fond du Lac community spanned more than forty years. Betty Buechel, Alan’s wife, accepted the award in honor of her late husband, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year.
Money raised from the Annual Business and Industry Awards goes directly to scholarships for students in Marian University’s business program.
