Winners of annual awards at the Logan County Chamber of Commerce meeting on Friday night were seated from left, Bob, Alexes and Ron Ertle of Ertle Brothers Discount Auto, Business of the Year; Back row from left, Michele Kaiser, Volunteer/Diplomat of the Year; Rob Nichols, Citizen of the Year; and Ben Blecha, Business Person of the Year. (Judy Debus/Journal-Advocate)
STERLING -- If there was such a thing as Oscar night for a Chamber of Commerce, the Awards Banquet and Annual Meeting of the Logan County Chamber on Friday night would fit the bill. Business associates, friends and family gathered to honor those that made significant contributions of support, leadership and service during 2010.Honored as Citizen of the Year was Rob Nichols because of his outstanding leadership, commitment and service that has contributed to the cultural and economic health and welfare of Logan County. Nichols, of Nichols Tillage Tools, has served as a board member and president of the Logan County Economic Development Corporation. Along with having his own business in Logan County, he has worked to make the area attractive to other businesses wishing to relocate.
Ertle Brothers Discount Auto was named Business of the Year for their outstanding support to the Chamber and the community through contribution of time, financial donations, in-kind donations and involvement and promotion of programs and projects.
The Ertles are natives of the Sterling and Logan County area and were in the hay and grain business for 25 years. A few years ago, they put storage units on five acres of the 10 acres they own where their shop for working on their trucks and machinery was located.
Ertle Brothers Discount Auto came into being when they decided that since someone needed to be around all the time, they would try to sell a few cars and trucks and soon found that although they knew everyone in town, just taking a few orders was not all there was to the business.
It was then that the effort and the education began by the Ertle family to make the business a profitable one and become the most respected dealer in their community. In many of the classes they took, they were told that if you don`t make a profit, you can`t take care of your customers.
The dealership was named the 2008/2009 Colorado Independent Automobile Dealers Association`s (CIADA) "Quality Dealer of the Year."
Michelle Kaiser was named the Volunteer/Diplomat of the Year for her work to enhance playgrounds at Ayres and Campbell Elementary Schools. She wrote a Greater Outdoors Colorado grant on behalf the Tiger Cubs PTO for equipment and enhancements to the areas. She was also instrumental in fundraising efforts and working with the city on the grant. The PTO will also contribute $18,000 to the project.
Business Person of the Year is Ben Blecha, of KSTC/KNNG radio, who along with his work of sports broadcasting, instituted the "Pink Out Breast Cancer" campaign throughout the schools to raise money for the Northeast Colorado Cancer Resource Association. After years of donating thousands to the group, Blecha put his own hair on the line this year and offered to cut off one inch of his hair for every $1,000 raised for the Pantene(r) Beautiful Lengths to make wigs for cancer patients. Since there was $10,000 raised this year, Blecha donated 10 inches of his hair.
Keynote address of the evening was by Rich O`Connell, executive director of LCEDC who presented an update on resources available in the area. (See related story) Also addressing those gathered were outgoing president Rocky Joy; Greg Etl of the Department of Local Affairs, who presented a message from Governor John Hickenlooper; Executive Director Kim Sellers and incoming President John Sherman.
Sherman, of Viaero Wireless, noted that his plan for the 2011 year will be continuing to work with the Chamber to make Logan County a better place to live and work.
Serving on the Board of Directors for the Chamber for 2011 are Sherman; Joy, Coldwell Banker; Randy Brigham, Sterling Regional MedCenter; Kay Brigham Rich, Overland Trail Museum; Melanie Buckler, Equitable Savings & Loan; Andy Long, NJC; Doug Hadeen, Wells Fargo; Keri Wright, MV Equipment; Cheryl Walraven, Treasure by Chance; Alexes Ertle, Ertle Brothers Discount Auto; Jamey Mack, Pro Sports; Eric Van Wyk, American Family Insurance; Brett Webster, Wal-Mart; Kim Sellers, executive director; and Erin Neitzel, chamber assistant.
Judy Debus: (970) 526-9281; jdebus@journal-advocate.com
Source: http://www.journal-advocate.com/ci_17718113?source=rss_viewed
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