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Award Winners Announced at Gala

Award Winners Announced at Gala

Published: March 6, 2010

Woody Shadid had to retire to be this busy.

 

Woody Shadid accepts the McLean County Chamber of Commerce Legacy of Excellence Award

In addition to serving on the board and committee of practically every charity and organization in the area, Shadid is a one-man ambassador, welcome party and McLean County cheerleader. "Woody is the essence of leadership, said Dawn Shipman, General Manager for the Shoppes at College Hills. "He contributes to economic growth by meeting with new business owners to sell the community as a place to start a business, raise a family and, Woody's personal favorite, have lunch."

 


His fundraising skills, his prodigious memory and his intense community pride made Shadid the obvious choice for the inaugural Mclean County Chamber of Commerce Legacy of Excellence Award presented at the Chamber's Annual Gala, Saturday, January 30 at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center.  


Also honored were The Baby Fold, recipient of the Pantagraph Non-profit Agency Excellence Award; Sweenz, Inc., who took home the neXt Professionals Micro Business Excellence Award; and YouthBuild McLean County, winner of the Corn Belt Energy Green Business Excellence Award. The Nicor Gas Small Business Excellence Award went to Cybernautic, Inc., and Advocate BroMenn Healthcare System was honored with the Snyder Companies Large Business Excellence Award.


Non=Profit Agency Excellence Award WinnerThe Baby Fold's mission is to improve the lives of special needs children and families through special education, adoption, foster and residential care and services aimed at preventing dchild abuse and neglect. The Pantagraph Non Profit Agency Excellence Award winner's reach extends across 17 programs staffed by nearly 300 employees at four locations serving more than 1,000 children and families each year. "The organization is making an enormous difference in the lives of children and families in our community," said Rob McDade, Vice President for Financial and Brokerage Solutions at Country Financial.


Micro Business Excellence Award WinnerSweenz, Inc , recipient of the neXt Professionals Micro Business Excellence Award, is a commercial real estate appraisal firm with two generations and nearly 40 years of competent, credible and trustworthy service to McLean County and central Illinois. Sweenz was nominated not only for its thorough research and accurate, comprehensive reports, but also for the community support and volunteerism of founder Michael F. Sweeny and current President, Jason M. Sweeny.


Green Business Excellence Award WinnerAccording to Michael Brown, Executive Director for the Ecology Action Center in Normal, YouthBuild McLean County is "acting as a role model for responsible environmental stewardship."  YouthBuild was honored with the Corn Belt Energy Green Excellence Award for committing to green products and programs like the use of sustainable materials, while providing low-income students and drop-outs with education, job training as they participate in the rehabilitation and construction of affordable housing.


Small Business Excellence Award WinnerThe Nicor Gas Small Business Excellence Award winner, Cybernautic, Inc. has been providing personalized and cutting-edge web design, development services and support for more than ten years. Barb Quick, Marketing and Sales Manager for First Farmers State Bank doesn't hesitate to recommend Cybernautic to colleagues, many of whom have followed up with her and thanked her for the referral. "That," she said,"speaks volumes of their talents and the way they conduct business."


Large Business Excellence Award WinnerBroMenn Healthcare, honored with the Snyder Companies Large Business Excellence Award, is not only a state-of-the-art medical system, it's a leader in the community and an important business partner for many of the organizations in McLean County. Normal Mayor Chris Koos voiced his appreciation for the rarity of a local hospital taking a lead in community improvement. "We are fortunate to have them located in Normal," said Koos. "They respect the neighborhood where they are located and are good corporate citizens in many way."


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