2012 Releases

2011 Award Recipients Announced

HARRISBURG (December 14, 2011) - Last evening, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC presented awards to local individuals and businesses for their outstanding achievements during its Awards Ceremony held at the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg.

Nearly 300 people attended the event which included the presentations of the Small Business of the Year Award, ATHENA Award, Government Leader of the Year Award, Business Diversity Champion, Entrepreneur of the Year, Catalyst Award, Distinguished Volunteer Service Award, Stay Invent the Future Award, Ambassador of the Year Award, and Diplomat of the Year Award.

Deborah Vereen was honored as the Business Diversity Champion Award recipient. This award recognizes an individual or company for its outstanding execution of their Business Diversity efforts.

Ryan Keith with Forgotten Voices International received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award which honors an individual or individuals for their extraordinary achievement in developing a business concept and executing it and continually innovating and driving business.The Entrepreneur of the Year Award is sponsored by The Quandel Group, Inc.

Commissioner Jeff Haste was honored with the 2011 Government Leader of the Year Award for his dedication and significant contributions to the community and to the region during the past year. The Government Leader of the Year Award is sponsored by Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania.

Gunn-Mowery LLC received the Small Business of the Year Award, which honors an organization for its stability, growth, innovation and commitment to the community. The Small Business of the Year Award is sponsored by M&T Bank.

The recipient of this year's ATHENA Award was Sue Yenchko. This award honors an individual's outstanding professional development and community service, as well as notable strides taken to assist women in developing their leadership potential. Brenner Family of Dealerships sponsors this award, which recognizes individual achievements in the business and professional advancement of women.

The Dauphin County Commissioners won the Stay Invent the Future Award which honors an organization for its outstanding internship program.

H. Glenn "Bub" Manning received the 2011 Distinguished Volunteer Service Award. The Distinguished Volunteer Service Award recognizes one individual's commitment to the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC through longevity of volunteerism, event attendance, and committee attendance and participation.

The Chamber & CREDC also recognized the 2011 Ambassador of the Year and 2011 Diplomat of the Year. Melissa Keilholz, Comcast Spotlight., was the Ambassador of the Year and Patty Bowen, Harrisburg Area Community College, was the Diplomat of the Year. These two awards honor the outstanding effort from a volunteer affiliated with each of these Chamber committees. The Ambassador and Diplomat Committees serve as a vital communication link between the Chamber and its membership.

Jeannine Peterson of the Hamilton Health Center was the recipient of the Catalyst Award. The winner is selected by the CREDC Executive Committee and is awarded to an individual or group of individuals whose leadership, business or governmental activities and community service have best exemplified the organization's mission of being a Catalyst for our region in making it a better place to live, to work and to play.

Photos of the event available upon request.

The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC serves as a catalyst for promoting growth and quality of life in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry Counties by providing a unique blend of business, community and economic development and advocacy services under one roof to boost our economic vitality and livability as a region. HRC/CREDC has been accredited with four stars from the United States Chamber of Commerce.