LZACC Announces Nominations for 2012 Excellence Awards

The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce (LZACC) announced the nominations for the 2012 Excellence Awards. The awards banquet will be held on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013 at Concorde Banquets in Kildeer. 
The LZACC Excellence Awards recognize achievements in the areas of business, education, government and not-for-profit organizations for their efforts to make the Lake Zurich Area a better place in which to live and work. Nominations can be made by chamber members, local residents and government entities. (See below for list on 2012 Recipients and description of award) 

Business of the Year 
Honors a Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce business or organization that has made a positive impact on the Lake Zurich Area during the last 12 months by demonstrating:

•Support and involvement in the Chamber

•An ongoing commitment to quality products and service

•Business growth

•Innovation

•Involvement in, or support of community

•Philanthropy

•Significant improvement to facility

•Support of employees

•Other special recognition either within the community or field of business 

2012 Business of the Year Nominees 
John Chiarelli, Knights of Columbus Queen of Peace, Council 3954, Lake Zurich 
John Sfire, The Fidelity Group, Lake Zurich 
Jack Edgar, DDS, Hawthorn Woods Family Dental, Hawthorn Woods 
Lynn O'Brien, Women's Physical Therapy Institute, Lake Zurich 
Nancy Needham, Melon Ink Screenprint & Embrodery, Lake Zurich 
James Iverhouse, Lake Zurich Goodyear, Lake Zurich

Citizen of the Year 
Honors a citizen who has made significant contributions to the betterment of the community during the last 12 months in the areas of:

• Leadership

•Philanthropy

•Public Service

•Volunteerism

•Having a positive influence on the lives of others and the community. 

2012 Citizen of the Year Nominees 
Claire Slattery, Mindful Mix, Lake Zurich 
Nancy Needham, Melon Ink Screen Print, Lake Zurich 
Lynn O'Brien, WoMen's Physical Therapy Institute, Inc., Lake Zurich 
Earl "Curley" Srtack, Police Department, Lake Zurich

Educator of the Year 
Honors an individual in the educational or training profession who for the past 12 months has demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards and practices and improvement of the educational experience by encouraging creativity, giving selflessly, and inspiring others to excel while contributing to the overall educational community.

2012 Educator of the Year Nominees 
Regina Hope, Isaac Fox School- CUSD 95, Lake Zurich 
David Proffitt, Lake Zurich High School, Lake Zurich

Chamber Volunteer of the Year 
Honors that Chamber member representative who during this past year has given selflessly and contributed significantly to the success and growth of the Chamber of Commerce through their involvement. 

2012 Chamber Volunteer of the Year Nominees 
Ken Grooms, Grooms Insurance, Lake Zurich 
Nancy Needham, Melon Ink, Lake Zurich 
Nancy Needham, Melon Ink, 
Justin Pathmann, Pathmann Construction Mgmt, Hawthorn Woods 
Ken Grooms, Grooms Insurance, Lake Zurich 
Janet Dobson, Kemper Lakes Golf Club, Kildeer

Samuel R. Mitchell Director of the Year 
Honors that Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce Director who during the past year has best met the challenges of leadership and exceeded expectations as a member of the Board of Directors. 

2012 Samuel R. Mitchell Director of the Year Nominees 
Ken Grooms, Grooms Insurance Associates, Lake Zurich 
Justin Pathmann, Pathmann Construction Management, Hawthorn Woods 
Phil Guerrero, PMG Wealth Management, Hawthorn Woods 
Anna Berman, Trilogy School of Performing Arts, Lake Zurich 
Chris Geimer, Chris Geimer Designs, Lake Zurich 
Janet Dobson, Kemper Lakes Golf Club, Kildeer 
Tony Tinaglia, Interface Financial, Lake Zurich 
Lucy Prouty, Ela Township, Lake Zurich

The 2013 Evening of Excellence Banquet begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception followed by dinner,  installation ceremony and dancing with live entertainment by The Cavern Beat.  Attendance is by paid reservation. Make a reservation online at the Chamber website.

This news release was submitted by the LZACC.