The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce President Barbie Lange presented three awards at the 2017 Annual Meeting on Nov. 3.
A Spirit of the Chamber award was presented to one individual and one business, while The Jim Lingenfelter Service Award was given to a married couple.
Sutton Bank Business Development Officer Renee Steinmetz said she was honored to win the individual Spirit of the Chamber award.
Steinmetz serves as a Chamber Ambassador by helping staff members facilitate events and check in with other members on visits known as “pop ins.”
Steinmetz enjoys building her business network through Chamber events and meetings. She encourages all members to take advantage of Chamber benefits.
“Make the most of your chamber membership by attending the events that they host,” Steinmetz said. “It is a great networking source. I have met some great people through the Chamber.”
Sutton Bank’s Chamber membership has helped her gain and refer business.
“I feel Chamber members intentionally do business with other Chamber members,” Steinmetz said.
The Spirit of the Chamber Corporate Award went to Nancy Pauly, owner of EVA’s Treats, Inc.
As an Ashland resident for almost 30 years, Pauly was honored to be chosen from among the many thriving businesses in Ashland.
“I love our town, the small community, the friendliness, and how safe and family-oriented Ashland is,” Pauly said.
Pauly appreciates the support of the Ashland Chamber team as they provided guiding principles that helped her establish EVA’s Treats in 2013.
“They always give me ideas for things to do for the business,” Pauly said.
Pauly is a Chamber Ambassador. She attends Women in Business meetings (now known as Em-POWER-Her) and Safety Council. She said Safety Council meetings help to create a better environment for her employees.
Nancy and her husband Douglas Pauly, of Pauly CPA, Inc., graduated from Leadership Ashland this year as well.
“I recommend everyone participate in Leadership Ashland,” Pauly said. “It gives you a whole view of what goes on all over the county with schools, recreation, government and businesses.”
Leadership Ashland helped the Paulys understand how much Ashland County has to offer. She says the program helps participants reflect on their responsibility to be engaged citizens.
“It encourages members to look beyond themselves and give back to the community through volunteering and other initiatives,” Pauly said.
The Jim Lingenfelter Service Award was presented to Ken and Sheila Milligan.
“We are humbled and honored to receive this award,” Wayne Savings Bank Consultant Ken Milligan said. “Jim was a great Christian leader who used his talents to improve his community in many ways.”
The Milligans’ service to the Ashland Community spans three decades and includes involvement and leadership on numerous boards and committees. They are active at Trinity Lutheran Church.
The Milligans became involved in the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce in 1984 upon moving to Ashland.
“The Chamber is an effective instrument to get involved,” Milligan said. “It’s an opportunity to network with other business leaders in the community. It provides so many avenues of support for businesses.”
Milligan advised that residents get involved in the community by thinking about their skill set, passions and the time they are willing to dedicate to a specific initiative.
“You’ve got to have the heart of wanting to be involved with that particular activity,” Milligan said. “It’s very important.”
Milligan credits the Ashland Chamber with providing important benefits to Ashland County citizens.
“Barbie Lange and her team are doing a fantastic job leading the Chamber here in Ashland,” Milligan said. “For a small community, it’s a dynamic organization.”
The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce advocates for the growth and prosperity of the business community through dynamic leadership, education and services. Call 419.281.4584, visit chamber@ashlandoh.com, or stop in at 211 Clarmont Ave., Ashland for more information.
