Recognition & Awards

Top Chamber Investors
Small Business of the Year
ATHENA Award
Past Award Recipients

Top Chamber Investors
The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize its top investors for their contributions made in the Chamber's 2011 fiscal year.

Gold
Busey
Carle
Provena Covenant Medical Center

Silver

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Bronze

The Atkins Group
BankChampaign, N.A.
BPC, Inc.
Christie Clinic
The Hilton Complex
First Bank
Supervalu Inc. Champaign Distribution Center
University of Illinois Employees Credit Union
Walmart Supercenters

150 Percent Club

Amber Glen Alzheimer's Special Care Center

Apex Consulting, LLC

Custom Mobile DJ Techniques

Framer's Market
Railsplitter Media

In-Kind Contributors:

Chairman's Circle

Illini Radio Group - WIXY 100.3, MIX 94.5, 92.5 The Chief,

Extra 99.1, True Oldies 97.9, Extra 92.1
NewsTalk 1400 WDWS, Lite Rock 97.5 WHMS & U-ROCK 107.9 WUIL

President's Circle

SJ Broadcasting

Business Circle

Fox Illinois WCCU TV & CW 23
WAND StormCenter 17

[Back to Top]

A to Z Painting honored as "Business of the Year"

"A to Z Painting is truly the definition of a small business with a small staff and bottom line; they excel at their trade and give back to the area that supports them," Kevin Yonce, CEO of Twin City Tent and Awning, said upon nominating ZuHone for the award.

In 1994, ZuHone formed the company after owning a Baskin Robbins franchise. She was going back to school and wanted to find a job that would provide flexible hours for her classes and studies. Seventeen years later, the company is still going strong. Carol has used her degree and taught at Parkland College for 19 semesters but has kept A to Z Painting her primary focus. A business formed from necessity has been her career for 17 years.

"As with any small business, its owner and the business itself are hard to distinguish where one stops and the other begins," Yonce said.

ZuHone’s accomplishments are a reflection on her business as the business is a reflection on her, Yonce continued.

Carol and A to Z Painting have gone out of their way to help various organizations around town and help develop a stronger work force coming out of school.

[Back to Top]

2011ATHENA Award Recipient is Lori Gold Patterson

The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce has named Lori Gold Patterson the recipient of the 2011 ATHENA award. Lori was presented withthe award at a luncheon on February 17, 2011, at the Champaign Country Club.

Lori is the 23rd recipient of the award locally, which honors individuals who assist other women in reaching their full leadership potential, demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their businesses or professions, and provide valuable service by devoting time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community.

“Lori is a powerful voice in the Champaign-Urbana community and has demonstrated progressive leadership involvement and organizations dedicated to improving the lives of women and the entire community,” says her nominator, Beth Katsinas.

The ATHENA Award program is sponsored by the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and Worden-Martin, Inc., corporate underwriter for the ATHENA Award program. The award recipient’s jeweled lapel pin is provided by Busey.

Read thepress release for more information about Lori Gold Patterson and this award.

[Back to Top]

Past Small Business of the Year Award Recipients

2010	HL Precision Machining, Inc.
2009	do good Consulting
2008	Common Ground Food Co-op
2007	Chief/Bauer Heating & Air Conditioning
2006	Benefit Planning Consultants, Inc.
2005	Browne's Fine Jewelry
2004	Ragle Dental Lab, Inc.
2003	Mettler Center, LLC
2002	Curtis Orchard, Ltd.
2001	Twin City Tent & Awning
2000	Martin Hood Friese & Associates
1999	The Lewis Insurance Store (now Dimond Bros. Agency)
1998	Flightstar Corporation
1997	The Herriott Group
1996	Norrell Services (now Spherion, Inc.)
1995	UpClose Marketing & Printing
1994	Opportunity Specialists, Inc.
1993	Chemical Maintenance, Inc.
1992	University Sportswear
1991	Development Services Center
1990	Berns, Clancy and Associates

Past ATHENA Award Recipients

2010	Lynne Barnes
2009	Kathleen Holden
2008	Jane Hays
2007	Donna Greene
2006	Jayne DeLuce
2005	Sue Grey
2004	Beth Katsinas
2003	Diane Friedman
2002	Traci E. Nally
2001	Lyn Jones
2000	Linda Hamilton
1999	Anita Broeren
1998	Theresa Grentz
1997	Zelema Harris
1996	Shirley Anderson
1995	Mary McGrath
1994	Linda Mills
1993	Jan Kiley
1992	Nanette Fisher
1991	Gloria Dauten
1990	Elizabeth Curzon
1989	Ruth Jones

Past Champaign County Most Valuable Citizen Award Recipients

2009	Carl Meyer
2008	Carol Scharlau
2007	Kyle & Phyllis Robeson
2006	Donald & Newton Dodds
2005	Doug & Linda Mills
2004	George Shapland
2003	Stanley Weaver
2002	Dr. Zelema Harris
2001	Jim Turpin
2000	Chancellor Michael Aiken
1999	Robert Toalson
1998	Dannel McCollum
1997	Larry Smarr
1996	Frank Elliott
1995	Edwin Scharlau
1994	Stan & Judy Ikenberry
1993	Vernon Barkstall
1992	Helen Levin