Chamber Of Commerce Annual Awards

The La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce held its 146^th Annual Recognition Dinner last night.

La Crosse Loggers Baseball were awarded the Chamber’s Regional Progress Award. This spring will mark the debut of the latest enhancements to Copeland Park’s baseball facility. This latest investment of over $650,000 brings artificial turf and a video board to a facility that has seen millions of dollars in improvements over the past 10 years. Copeland Park is now one of the top amateur baseball facilities in the Midwest. Collaboratively used by the La Crosse Loggers, UW-L Eagles and the occasional high school game, this is a prime example of the Public-Private partnerships that make our region so great.

Dyanne Brudos of US Bank National Association was awarded the Chamber’s Leadership Award. Dyanne has played many vital roles in the Chamber, being a leader, a mentor, a facilitator, as well as being a confidante and sounding-board for other individuals. Dyanne gives so much of herself, but also makes everyone around her that much better.

Brady Lowe of Globe University – La Crosse was awarded the Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year Award. Brady has been a volunteer for the Chamber’s Ambassador Committee since April 2011. The goal of the Ambassadors is to promote and enhance the positive value of the Chamber. Brady has been actively involved with the Ambassadors by attending the monthly committee meetings, attending ribbon cutting and groundbreaking ceremonies, attending the monthly Business After Hours program and assisting with registration, and participating in other Chamber events. Brady has also been actively involved with the Chamber’s Youth Leadership Program by being a presenter and sharing his expertise with the approximately 25 juniors from area high schools that are enrolled in the program. Brady is also a member of the Chamber’s Young Professionals of the Coulee Region Program and has been a presenter for the annual Career Expo, which is a joint effort of the Chamber, Western Technical College, and area high schools.

Dick Lommen of McDonald’s Restaurants Courtesy Corporation grabbed the Chair’s Community Service Award. Dick has taken one of the most meticulously managed brands in the world…McDonalds and made it into his own. Dick could have been very successful just following the McDonalds formula as it’s designed, but that wasn’t good enough for him. He has this need to take what is great and make it better. Restaurants aren’t just clean…they sparkle. The landscape and décor look like upscale restaurants. The employees aren’t just trained to do their jobs well today, they are also trained in how to be successful in life. All of this while being driven by a core principal of Giving Back to the community both through volunteerism and financial support. So deep is that commitment to giving back, that Dick was the Chamber’s biggest ally in our recent pursuit of the Associated Bank building.

David Booth of WXOW-19 was presented with the Past Chair Award for 2013 by this year’s Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, Bruce Friell of Gundersen Health System.