Please help us recognize outstanding community leaders with these special awards
Join the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber as we honor exceptional leaders who make a lasting impact on our region’s success and vitality. This special event is an opportunity to reflect on the past year's achievements, look ahead to future initiatives, and recognize key contributors to our community. In addition to presenting awards, we will celebrate retiring Chamber Board Members and Membership Milestones. Don’t miss this chance to connect, celebrate, and support the Chamber’s role in fostering a thriving community!
5 Under 45 - Emerging Leader Award
The 5 Under 45 - Emerging Leader Award (ELA) is awarded to individuals 45 and under who demonstrate outstanding leadership that benefits the community and its citizens. Areas of outstanding service include working with youth, adults, and families to improve the Willmar Lakes Area's quality of life. Leadership qualities include creativity, volunteerism, responsibility, problem-solving, respectfulness, cooperation, and organizational skills. Leadership qualities are not limited to Chamber activities and may include work for other organizations.
Past Recipients of the Emerging Young Leader Award:
Christina Boike, Christianson PLLP
Jared Voge, Bolton & Menk, Inc
Aaron Madsen, Nova-Tech Engineering
Melissa Sorenson, Jennie-O Turkey Store
Chad & Angela Koosman, Celebrate the Light of the World
Jonathan Kreps - JD Kreps Financial Group
Lourdez Schwab, All Star Realty & Willmar Area Multicultural Market
Robert Mathiasen, Heritage Bank NA
"MILO" Award
The "MILO" Award is named after long-time Chamber volunteer, Milo Halberg who passed away in 2001. Milo served a three-year term on the Board of Directors and was a longstanding member of the Membership Committee until his retirement from "volunteerism" in 1998. During his years of service to the Chamber, Milo personally signed over 100 Chamber members, and many times was requested by certain members to have him personally pick-up their membership check as part of the overall retention program.
The award was established in Milo's name to recognize local business leaders who exemplify Milo's leadership in the areas of volunteerism, community leadership, involvement, and dedication to the Chamber of Commerce. The "MILO" Award will be presented to a Chamber member who has provided leadership and commitment not only to the Chamber but also to other community organizations and programs as well.
Past Recipients of the “MILO” Award:
James Miller, United Way of West Central Minnesota
Kathy Schwantes, University of Minnesota Extension
Dave Baker, Baker Hospitalities
Joanna Schrupp, MinnWest Technology Campus
Jim Sieben, Nova-Tech Engineering
Russ Bennett, Bennett Office Technologies
Milan Schmiesing, Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing, PLLP
Gary Geiger, Heritage Banks NA
Greg Hilding, Bremer Bank NA
Smitty Luschen, Heritage Bank NA
Ken Behm, Home State Bank
Lachlan Smith, ACMC
David Reed, Welders Supply
Bob Dols, Northern States Supply
Exemplary Leadership Award
The Exemplary Leadership Award (ELA) is designed to honor someone who has achieved recognition in their field and has made significant contributions to the respective profession and business or organization of which the individual is a part of. The award is open to a man, woman, or business that has demonstrated a successful and exemplary history of leadership resulting in noteworthy accomplishments for the business or organization that the leader serves. In addition, the recipient will have been successful in serving his/her profession in a manner that inspires others in the profession to recognize the person as a leader in the field. Ideally, community members also will readily identify the recipient as being successful as a leader.
Past Recipients of the Exemplary Leadership Award:
The Willmar Rotary Club
Heather Thompson, Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing, PLLP
Sara Carlson, Willmar Area Community Foundation
Dr. Dale Lauer, MN Poultry Testing Laboratory
June Boie, Rice Memorial Hospital
Lynn Johnson, Ridgewater College
Julie Asmus, Willmar Police Department
Kathy Leedom, Willmar Public Schools
Legacy Award
This award is designed to honor someone who has made significant contributions to the Willmar Lakes Area community. In honor of long-time Chamber President Ken Warner who retired in 2023, the award is presented to a person that has persevered in a community leadership role and has made the Willmar Lakes Area a better place to work, live, and raise a family.
