A range of professionals and industries from manufacturing to regional economic development leaders are among the Entrepreneurial Excellence (E-Day) honorees for 2020.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to come together to showcase our award winners,” said Lorri Feldt, Northwest Indiana Small Business Development regional director. “This year’s class has not only exemplified what is means to be an entrepreneur, but also how to take on and overcome the unique challenges caused by COVID.”
A live event is planned for Nov. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Avalon Manor, 3550 E. Lincoln Hwy, Hobart. Social distancing protocols will be observed, the NW-ISBDC said.
Honorees for 2020 include:
- Small Business Persons of the Year: Damon and Dina Gasaway, Winn Machine, La Porte
- Entrepreneurial Success: Stephen P. Arndt and Justin M. LeBeau, Job-Site Safety, Michigan City
- Minority-Owned Business of the Year: Paulette Hill, Professional Information Systems, Hobart
- Woman-Owned Business of the Year: Sandy Smith, SAN Corporation, Crown Point
- Family-Owned Business of the Year: Kraft family, Kraft Auction Service, Valparaiso
- Emerging Business of the Year: Joel and Amy Bender, Mind Benders, Whiting
- Small Business Advocate: Heather Ennis, Northwest Indiana Forum
- Small Business Journalist: James A. Muhammad, Lakeshore Public Media
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Mike Schrage, Centier Bank
“Our honorees’ stories exhibit how strong our Region’s entrepreneurial community has remained during the pandemic,” Feldt said. “Each and every winner has had to delve into how to do business in today’s climate and determine the best avenues to remain vital now and in the future.”
Additional information about the Nov. 12 event and previous winners is available on the NW-ISBDC website.
