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WAUKESHA — Several
Waukesha County businesses were recognized for their
success and community involvement during a Waukesha
County Awards Gala Thursday, the Waukesha County
Business Alliance announced Friday.
Holly Hawkins, president of Tri-North Builders’
Milwaukee office, won Waukesha County Advocate of the
Year based on her youth outreach efforts and her passion
for combating the skilled worker shortage in Wisconsin,
according to a press release.
Hawkins is involved in Waukesha County Business
Alliance’s Construction Alliance, which focuses on
raising the perception of career pathway opportunities
and creating interest for youth in pursuing trades.
She also sits on the education policy committee and has
arranged and hosted multiple Careers Uncovered programs
at Tri-North’s Waukesha office, which brought together
educators and school counselors with construction
professionals.
First Bank Financial Centre received the Large Business
of the Year award for their commitment towards living up
to their mission statement, “Make Lives Better.” The
company has made lives better through charitable giving
and for racking up 12,500 in volunteer hours each year.
The company, which celebrated its 160th anniversary this
year, was also recognized for being an outstanding
employer of choice.
Generac Power Systems and Waukesha State Bank were
finalists for the Large Business of the Year award.
R& R Insurance Services won the Medium Business of the
Year award for their family ownership, dedicated
in-house resources for clients and a strong commitment
to the community. This summer, the company will relocate
to a new 60,000 square-foot corporate headquarters.
Ruekert & Mielke and Vrakas CPAs + Advisors were
finalists for the Medium Business of the Year award.
SWICKtech, a New Berlin IT company, won the Small
Business of The Year award. The company’s motto is that
all businesses have the potential to grow when they
embrace evolving technology. SWICKtech is also known for
putting relationships and the future first.
All Occasions/Bubb’s BBQ and Orange Hat Publishing were
Small Business of The Year award finalists.
The Women’s Center won the Large Nonprofit of the Year
award. The Women’s Center provides safety, shelter and
support to empower all impacted by domestic abuse,
sexual violence, child abuse and trafficking. The
organization’s model is unique to Waukesha County as
they are the only agency that provides all their
programs and services at no cost to adults and children
throughout the region.
Family Promise of Waukesha County won the small
nonprofit of the year award. Since 2014, Family Promise
has been helping homeless families with children regain
and retain their independence. They partner with
faithbased communities and other groups, utilizing their
buildings and volunteers along with their day center to
provide free room and board for up to 90 days.
An independent judging panel reviewed nominees based on
their commitment to good business practices,
customer-focused commitment, community service
involvement, history of employee relations, financial
growth and consistency, education partnerships and
workforce development.
Nonprofit nominations were reviewed based on the
following criteria: promotes health, safety and quality
of life, fulfills the mission of the organization,
financial sustainability and engages in collaborations
and partnerships.
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Holly Hawkins, president – Milwaukee office, Tri-North
Builders; Suzanne Kelley, president and CEO, Waukesha
County Business Alliance.
Submitted photos |
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Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow; Suzanne Kelley,
president and CEO, Waukesha County Business Alliance;
Mark Mohr, president and CEO of First Bank Financial
Centre; Tim Casey, director, economic development,
Waukesha County Center for Growth. |
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Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow; Suzanne Kelley,
president and CEO, Waukesha County Business Alliance;
Ken Riesch, president and CEO of R& R Insurance; Tim
Casey, director, economic development, Waukesha County
Center for Growth. |
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Suzanne Kelley, president and CEO, Waukesha County
Business Alliance; Nicole Rosenberg, director of service
delivery, SWICKTech; Waukesha County Executive Paul
Farrow; Tim Casey, director, economic development,
Waukesha County Center for Growth. |
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Mike Ward, senior vice president and regional manager
for US Bank; Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow;
David Tennyck, executive director of Family Promise of
Waukesha County; Tim Casey, director of economic
development, Waukesha County Center for Growth. |
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Suzanne Kelley, president and CEO, Waukesha County
Business Alliance; Mike Ward, senior vice president and
regional manager for US Bank; Waukesha County Executive
Paul Farrow; Angela Mancuso, executive director of The
Women’s Center; Tim Casey, director, economic
development, Waukesha County Center for Growth. |
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