Awards of Excellence
The Awards of Excellence is an annual celebration recognizing those that go above and beyond in our community. Chamber businesses are nominated by their peers and winners are announced at our Annual Celebration luncheon typically held in the Spring. Congratulations to all nominees and winners and thank you for your ongoing commitment to our business community.
Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored by LaValley Industries
Nominees: Hannah Peura of Compass Rose, Tracie Lusby of The Bluebelle Event Venue, Michael Kiewatt of The Party Store, Kevin Johnson of myBemidji, Chris Mole of Mr. Mole’s Painting, Sarah Hokuf of Evolve Creative
Winner: Sarah Hokuf of Evolve Creative
New Business of the Year
Sponsored by First National Bank Bemidji
Nominees: The Bluebelle Event Venue, Mr. Mole’s Painting, Culver’s of Bemidji
Winner: The Bluebelle Event Venue
Wellness in the Workplace
Sponsored by Sanford Health
Nominees: Security Bank USA and
Beltrami Electric Cooperative
Winner: Beltrami Electric Cooperative
Community Impact
Nominees: United Way of Bemidji, Greater Bemidji, and Headwaters School of Music and the Arts
Winner: Greater Bemidji
Business of the Year
Sponsored by Bemidji State University
Nominees: Bemidji Ambulance Service, Harmony Coop, Pinnacle Marketing Group, Evolve Creative, Culligan Water of Bemidji, The Party Store, Mr. Mole’s Painting, Compass Rose, and Lueken’s Village Foods
Winner: Pinnacle Marketing Group
Past Awards of Excellence Winners
Entrepreneur of the Year
2005 - Rich Seigert, Hampton Inn & Suites
2006 - Curt Saufferer, UPS Store
2007 - Ken Howe, Dunn Brothers
2008 - Gary Johnson, Bemidji Medical Equipment
2009 - Jennifer Theisen & Trish Ritchie, TJ Design Studio
2010 - Royce & Kristi Southerland, Bemidji Design Center
2011 - John & Scott Winter, Northwoods Landscape & Recreation
2012 - Jason LaValley, LaValley Industries
2013 - Mike Karvakko, Karvakko Engineering
2014 - Tammy Schotzko, We Love Messes
2015 - Samantha Nienow, Red Zest Design & Mychal Stittsworth, Stittsworth Meats
2016 - Erik Hokuf, AirCorps Aviation
2017 - Mychal Stittsworth, Stittsworth Meats
2018 - Hannah Anderson
2019 - Brett & Derek Leach
New Business of the Year
2008 - Minnesota Nice Cafe
2009 - Bad Cat Creations
2010 - Red Zest Design
2011 - Urban Essence
2012 - Stittsworth Meats
2013 - Tutto Bene
2014 - Bemidji Axemen Professional Football
2015 - Always There Staffing, Inc.
2016 - The Skin Company & Spa
2017 - Face it Together
2018 - Lake Bemidji Bed & Breakfast
2019 - Stittsworth MSU & Smokehouse
Charlie Naylor Lifetime Achievement
2009 - Charlie Naylor Family
2010 - Dr. Ted Gillett
2011 - Joe Lueken
2012 - Joe & Bob Welle
2013 - M. James Bensen
2014 - Lou Buron & Mary Campbell
2015 - Bill Howe
2016 - Ann Daley
2017 - Wayne Thorson
2018 - Andy Wells
2019 - Tom Welle
Business of the Year
2005 - North Country Health Services
2006 - Paul Bunyan Telephone
2007 - First National Bank Bemidji
2008 - North Country Business Products
2009 - MedSave Family Pharmacy
2010 - Pinnacle Publishing
2011 - Seven Days Design
2012 - Harmony Natural Foods Co-op
2013 - Bar 209 & Lueken's Village Foods
2014 - Bemidji Woolen Mills
2015 - Paul Bunyan Communications
2016 - Bemidji Brewing
2017 - Ottertail Power Company
2018 - Concordia Language Villages & United Way of Bemidji Area
2019 - Lueken's Village Foods
Wellness in the Workplace
2008 - Beltrami Electric Cooperative
2009 - North Country Business Products
2010 - First National Bank Bemidji
2011 - Medsave Family Pharmacy
2012 - Kraus-Anderson Construction
2013 - Security Bank USA
2014 - Paul Bunyan Communications
2015 - First National Bank Bemidji
2016 - Pinnacle Marketing Group
2017 - First National Bank Bemidji
2018 - Security Bank USA
2019 - Knife River Materials
Community Impact - Non-profit of the Year
2019 - Sanford Health, and Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area
