Timeline of all Chamber Award Recipients.
- The Athena & Zeus Award programs celebrates the potential of all women as valued members and leaders of the community and recognizes those who support them. The awards are given out at the Annual Meeting Dinner & Awards.
- The Outstanding Citizens of the Year Award recognizes candidates who have demonstrated an active leadership role for the betterment of the community through involvement in business, civic, social, and/or service organizations. An award is given out to a male and female candidate at the Annual Meeting Dinner & Awards.
- The I Love BG Award recognizes individuals or organizations for the their efforts in increasing the visibility and promotion of the City and improving the quality of life for BG residents. The award is presented at the Annual Meeting Dinner & Awards.
- The Outstanding Customer Service Award honors businesses that demonstrate exceptional customer service. The award is given out the Annual Meeting Dinner & Awards.
- The Small Business of the Year Award honors business who are Chamber Investors that demonstrate achievement in management and workplace excellence, product innovation, and community and social responsibility. The award is presented at the Annual Meeting Dinner & Awards.
- The Greg Kegler Volunteerism Award honors individuals that demonstrate an exceptional dedication of volunteerism and support to our organization. This is not deemed an annual award and will only be given if a worthy candidate is nominated.
2024 I Love BG
Elaine Goodwin was presented the 2024 I Love BG Award for her many years of volunteerism to make BG a better place to live.
2024 Greg Kegler Volunteerism Award
Mark Cassin was awarded the 2024 Greg Kegler Volunteerism Award for his many hours of community service, work with the Chamber, and generosity and support of community events.
2024 Small Business of the Year
Elite Collegiate Apparel was awarded the 2024 Small Business of the Year Award for their constant innovation, growth, great work environment, and commitment to the BG community.
2024 Outstanding Customer Service
Dairy Queen of Bowling Green was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Customer Service Award for their stellar customer service experience, commitment to tasty food, and for their extensive community involvement.
2024 Outstanding Citizen of the Year
Linda Lander was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award for her many years of community service advocating for our most vulnerable populations.
2024 Outstanding Citizen of the Year
Dr. Heath Diehl was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award for his tireless work with community organizations that better BG’s quality of life.
2024 Zeus
Mark Remeis was awarded the 2024 Zeus Award for his support and mentorship of women in the workplace.
2024 Athena
Stacie Wenig Anderson was awarded the 2024 Athena Award for her advocacy and support of young women, and for providing an excellent role model in the agricultural community.
2023 Athena
Wendy Headley was the 2023 Athena Recipient. She was recognized for actively supporting and mentoring women and children in many ways.
2023 Zeus
Jason Miller was the 2023 Zeus Award Recipient. He was recognized for encouraging women to achieve their full leadership potential through active mentoring, supporting and development actions.
2023 Outstanding Citizen of the Year
Margie Harris was the 2023 Outstanding Female Citizen of the Year. She was recognized for tirelessly serving the Bowling Green community through working concessions, participating in PTO, fostering eight children, and her commitment to creating a better community for those with disabilities.
2023 Outstanding Citizen of the Year
Brian Paskvan was the 2023 Outstanding Male Citizen of the Year Recipient. Paskvan was recognized for his outstanding leadership of the Wood County District Public Library, where he served as president for 14 years and created events like the “Speaker Series” and Novel Night Fundraisers.
2023 Outstanding Customer Service
Elite Collegiate Apparel was the 2023 Outstanding Customer Service Recipient. They were recognized for setting their customer service standards incredibly high upon opening their doors in 2017 and continuing to meet those lofty expectations years later. They support both BGSU and Bowling Green City Schools with t-shirt donations and creating awareness for all of their important events.
2023 Small Business of the Year
Kabob-It was the 2023 Small Business of the Year Award Recipient. They were recognized for always being on the cutting edge of innovation after forging their own path in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic by delivering meals throughout Northwest Ohio and Southeastern Michigan, as well as being on the front lines
2023 Greg Kegler Volunteerism
Kent Kokomoor was the 2023 Greg Kegler Volunteerism Award Recipient. He was recognized for tirelessly working to better the Bowling Green community, both through his involvement with the Chamber of Commerce and using his own business, Elite Collegiate Apparel. With the Chamber, Kokomoor chairs countless project teams, including the Business Council, Business Expo, and Golf Scramble, while serving on the AMDA and Holiday Parade teams. With Elite Collegiate Apparel, Kokomoor continuously runs promotions to make his merchandise affordable and accessible while promoting events across the town on social media.
2023 I Love BG
Cheryl Windisch was the 2023 I Love BG Award Recipient. She was recognized for commitment to bettering the community through her service on the boards for Prevent Blindness of Northwest Ohio, Bowling Green Parks, the Bowling Green Community Foundation, University Women Literature Group and Bowling Green Schools Foundation. As a former teacher, guidance counselor and supervisor of student teachers, she remains committed to bettering education in Bowling Green by
2022 Athena
Maria Simon was the 2022 Athena Award Recipient. She was recognized for actively supporting and mentoring women and children in many ways.
2022 Zeus
Mark Wasylyshyn was the 2022 Zeus Award Recipient. He was recognized for creating a culture of success for all of his deputies, inclusive of women in law enforcement, with constant training opportunities, leadership schools, connections in the community and the coordination of grants and community entities.
2022 Outstanding Citizen of the Year
Lee Hakel was a 2022 Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award recipient. She was recognized for demonstrating an active leadership role for the betterment of the community through involvement with a variety of organizations. She immediately began to demonstrate her leadership, even while working full-time, when she first arrived in the Bowling Green community.
2022 Outstanding Citizen of the Year
Dr Thomas Wojciechowski Sr was a 2022 Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award recipient. He was recognized for caring and supporting members of the community for over 50 years, and sharing his medical expertise with countless organizations over his career.
2022 Outstanding Customer Service
The Wood County District Public Library was the 2022 Outstanding Customer Service Award recipient. They were recognized for being a steadfast and constant source of support and kindness in an ever-shifting world. While the many services and material they have to offer are in integral part of the community, an even greater strength is the quality of service the staff offers to the public and the creative, strategic things they implement to better serve the community.
2022 I Love BG
Paul Thayer and the Thayer Family Dealerships was the 2022 I Love BG Award recipient. They were recognized for their tireless involvement in our community, and for making Bowling Green a positive place to live and to visit. From creating small events for our community to enjoy, to hosting fundraisers to raise money for a variety of non -profit organizations, they are always thinking of others.
2022 Small Business of the Year
Beckett’s Burger Bar was the 2022 Small Business of the Year Award recipient. They were recognized for their care for customers, quality, service, and employees making them an outstanding business that in turns gives back to the community that supports them.
2021 Athena
Denise Niese was the 2021 Athena Award recipient. She was recognized for being instrumental in mentoring countless women under her professional direction and for her impact on the women she works with, providing an example of what a passionate leader is able to accomplish.
2021 Zeus
Kevin Fowler was the 2021 Zeus Award recipient. He was recognized for encouraging the staff of women he manages with mentoring and leadership and for continuing to help develop, train, and support his staff for advancement in the areas they are interested in pursuing.
2021 Outstanding Citizen of the Year
Tim Dunn was a 2021 Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award recipient. He was recognized for being a tireless volunteer in our community for over 40 years.
2021 I Love BG
Phil Hollenbaugh was the 2021 I Love BG Award recipient. He was recognized for being selfless, enthusiastic, and demonstrating commitment and total dedication. Through his work, he has developed a nationally recognized Hosta garden within the Simpson Garden Park.
2021 Small Business of the Year
Pisanello’s Pizza was the 2021 Small Business of the Year Award recipient. They were recognized for being a staple of Bowling Green dining for decades. With strong work ethic, customer service, and community involvement starting all the way back in 1964. With it being a family run business, their customer service makes you feel right at home.
2021 Outstanding Customer Service
Farmers & Merchants State Bank was the 2021 Outstanding Customer Service Award recipient. They were recognized for going above and beyond with their clients. There is no task too big or too small when it comes to servicing the community.
2021 Outstanding Citizen of the Year
Beatriz Maya was a 2021 Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award recipient. She was recognized for serving the community and being very active working in organizations to support immigrants, enhance quality of life, improve individual’s rights, and create a welcoming and inclusive community.
2020 I Love BG
The 2020 I Love BG recipient was BG Independent News. They were recognized for providing local news and arts coverage, promoting the people of Bowling Green, and their dedication to excellence.
2020 Outstanding Customer Service
The 2020 Outstanding Customer Service recipient was Best Western Falcon Plaza. They were recognized for their employees’ professionalism, reinvestment into their property for the comfort of their guests, and their community involvement.
2020 Small Business of the Year
The 2020 Small Business of the Year recipient is BIGGBY Coffee. They were recognized for their vision and business plan success, execution of promotions, community outreach, and product consistency.
2020 Outstanding Citizen of the Year
Nick Snyder was the male recipient of the 2020 Outstanding Citizen of the Year award. He was recognized for his involvement with the Bowling Green City Schools and local youth hockey teams, as well as the scholarships he helps fund.
2020 Outstanding Citizen of the Year
Sandy Rowland was the female recipient of the 2020 Outstanding Citizen of the Year award. She was recognized for her involvement on City Council and all the events and organizations she volunteers for.
2020 Zeus
Matthew Reger was the recipient of the 2020 Zeus Award, he was recognized for his time spent as a Criminal Law Legal Specialist for the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative and establishing the Community Christian Legal Services Organization.
2020 Athena
Dr Mary Margaret Krueger was the recipient of the 2020 Athena Award. She was recognized for her work as the Founding Director of the Women’s Center and her mentorship and the many initiatives she supported.
2019 Outstanding Customer Service
BG Lock & Key was the recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Customer Service for striving to provide quality service to Bowling Green, Wood County and the Northwest Ohio Area for over 20 years.
2019 Small Business of the Year
Wood Haven Health Care was the recipient of the Small Business of the Year. They received the award for their workplace practices and supportive culture that encourages employees to achieve their full leadership potential.
2019 I Love BG
Sue Clanton was the recipient of the I Love BG award for her continued commitment of contributing to the quality of life and promotion of the City of Bowling Green over more than 20 years.
2019 Athena
Tari Christoff was the 2019 Athena Award Recipient. She has been praised by her peers for many outstanding qualities, and throughout her career, has been a pivotal part of the professional development of the women in her community. She uses her intelligence, hard-work ethics, and passion for mentoring; resulting in influencing and changing the lives and careers of youth and her fellow professionals.
2019 Zeus
Francis Scruci was the 2019 Zeus Award Recipient. He is a Member of Kiwanis, Exchange Club and Rotary actively participating in the club’s events by helping with preparations and work that is needed for a successful event or fundraiser. He is very involved in the Bowling Green Community; attending City Council meetings, Economic Development events and serves on several boards.
2019 Citizens of the Year
Bob & Pat Maurer were the recipients of the Citizens of the Year award for having repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to the city through their generosity to organizations which enhances the quality of life in Bowling Green. Most of their involvement and giving to the community is quiet and understated and, in many, many cases, anonymous.
2018 I Love BG
The Black Swamp Arts Festival was the recipient of the 2018 I Love BG Award.
2018 Outstanding Customer Service
Wood Haven Health Care was the recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Customer Service Award.
2018 Small Business of the Year
Heritage Corner Health Care Campus was the recipient of the 2018 Small Business of the Year Award.
2018 Outstanding Citizen of the Year
Dolores Black was the female recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award. She was recognized for her commitment to wellness for all and being a tireless advocate for equitable opportunity for all throughout her more than 60 years in the Bowling Green community.
2018 Outstanding Citizen of the Year
Tim Harris was the male recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Citizen of the Year. He was recognized for his adherence to the highest standards of ethics and integrity in his job, and in volunteering his services to help others, especially needy children and persons with disabilities, doing it all without any desire for personal recognition or reward.
2018 Athena
Janet Parks was the 2018 Athena Award recipient. She was recognized for her devotion to providing services that will improve the quality of life in her community. She plays a large role in the development of students, influencing and changing the lives and careers of the ones she has mentored. She has immersed herself in the BGSU community, dedicated to the well-being of the University.
2018 Zeus
Jeff Orlowski was the recipient of the 2018 Zeus Award. He was recognized for supporting a culture that encourages a diverse workplace and believes in providing opportunities for leadership and growth. The workforce he supports is predominately female based. His role within the organization not only empowers women, but he sets examples of leadership in the community.
2018 Ambassador of the Year
Jayson Hines was the recipient of the 2018 Ceremonial Ambassador Award.
2018 Ambassador of the Year
Christina Stearns was the 2018 Welcoming Ambassador of the Year.
2017 I Love BG
The Morning Show radio program was the recipient of the 2017 I Love BG Award. The show is hosted by DJs Clint Corpe and Larry Weiss.
2017 Outstanding Customer Service
Heritage Corner Health Care Campus was the recipient of the 2017 Outstanding Customer Service Award.
2017 Small Business of the Year
Klotz Floral Design & Garden was the recipient of the 2017 Small Business of the Year Award.
2017 Outstanding Citizens
Shirley Woessner was the female recipient of the 2017 Outstanding Citizen of the Year. She was recognized for her great passion to serve those less fortunate while at the same time remaining humble, and even determined to stay behind the scenes. Even when someone does not show up for their volunteer duty, she is always willing to step up and fill in. Her contagious smile and the twinkle in her eyes are caused by the generosity of the Bowling Green citizens. No matter what day, week, or time of the year it is, she is always working hard to make a difference in someone’s life.
2017 Outstanding Citizen of the Year
Chet Marcin was the male recipient of the 2017 Outstanding Citizen of the Year. He was recognized as the type of person who makes a difference wherever he serves. He is a man with the utmost integrity and is willing to give of himself in any organization. He has been married for over 50 years and his support and loyalty to his family is highly commendable. He is a person who puts character, honesty, integrity, and loyalty at the top of his list when it comes to his work, his personal life, his family, his faith, and his friends.
2017 Athena
Rebecca Ferguson was the recipient of the 2017 Athena Award in recognition of her demonstration of professional excellence, extraordinary community service, and active assistance to other women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. She’s a served on the Wood County Hospital Foundation Board, Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and is a past President of the Bowling Green Kiwanis Club.
2017 Zeus
Dan Craig was the recipient of the 2017 Zeus Award in recognition to help and encourage women with mentoring and leadership. He is very respectful and highly considerate to all women that he comes in contact with in the workplace and the community. And he personally contributes time and energy to improve the quality
2016 Athena
Judy Ennis
2016 Zeus
Ed Whipple
2016 I Love BG
Reverends Gary & Mary Jane Saunders
2016 Outstanding Customer Service
Animal Hospital at Westridge
2016 Small Business of the Year
The Oasis Restaurant & Delivery
2016 Outstanding Citizens
Barbara Sanchez and Bob Callecod
2015 Athena
Lori Tretter
2015 Zeus
Floyd Craft
2015 I Love BG
Pat and Sheila Crowley
2015 Outstanding Customer Service
The Oasis Restaurant & Delivery
2015 Small Business of the Year
Student Book Exchange
2015 Outstanding Citizens
Melissa Krieger and Gene Klotz
2014 Athena
Evelyn Bachman
2014 Zeus
Michael Penrod
2014 I Love BG
Tom Striggow
2014 Outstanding Customer Service
Ginny’s Inspired Fashions
2014 Small Business of the Year
Grounds For Thought
2014 Outstanding Citizens
Megan Newlove and Steve McEwen
2013 Athena
Shirlee Bostdorff
2013 Zeus
Michael Sibbersen
2013 I Love BG
Wendy Chambers
2013 Outstanding Customer Service
Main Street Ace Hardware
2013 Small Business of the Year
Evans Home Loans/Evans Insurance
2013 Outstanding Citizens
Jodi Anderson and Al Green
2012 Athena
Dr Ann McVey
2012 Zeus
Dick Newlove
2012 I Love BG
Work Leads to Independence (formerly Wood Lane)
2012 Outstanding Customer Service
Bowling Green Lincoln Auto Sales
2012 Small Business of the Year
Waddington Jewelers
2012 Outstanding Citizens
Rebecca Laabs and John Quinn
2011 Athena
Pamela Fahle
2011 Zeus
Stan Korducki
2011 I Love BG
Dave Horger
2011 Small Business of the Year
The Copy Shop, Inc.
2011 Outstanding Citizens
Carla Blinn and Bob Blinn
2010 Athena
Melanie Stretchbery
2010 Zeus
John Fawcett
2010 I Love BG
The Wicks Family
2010 Outstanding Citizens
Debra Manley and John Newlove
2009 Athena
Pamela Heringhaus
2009 I Love BG
Thom Headley
2009 Outstanding Citizens
Karen Seeliger and Doug Valentine
2008 Athena
Doris Herringshaw
2008 I Love BG
Joan Gordon
2008 Outstanding Citizens
Nadine Edwards and Richard Edwards
2007 Athena
Darlene Petkwitz
2007 I Love BG
Dr Richard Barker
2007 Outstanding Citizens
Mary Watt and Jack Whittaker
2006 Athena
Jane Quinn
2006 I Love BG
Andy Householder
2006 Outstanding Citizens
Linda Dobb and Matthew Reger
2005 Athena
Earlene Kilpatrick
2005 I Love BG
Home Depot
2005 Outstanding Citizens
Barbara Rothrock and Roger Anderson
2004 Athena
Kathy East
2004 I Love BG
Northwestern Ohio Tractor Pullers Association
2004 Outstanding Citizens
Cathleen Newlove Wenig and Jack Richie
2003 Athena
Lydia Newlove
2003 I Love BG
Wood County District Public Library
2003 Outstanding Citizens
Jan Larson and Paul Windisch
2002 Athena
Suzanne Clark
2002 I Love BG
Wood County Hospital
2002 Outstanding Citizens
Evelyn Bachman and Eric Myers
2001 Athena
Barb Ford
2001 I Love BG
Richard Gordley
2001 Outstanding Citizens
Galen Ash and Elaine Goodwin
2000 Athena
Debra Manley
2000 I Love BG
Wesley Hoffman
2000 Outstanding Citizens
Alvin Perkins and Diane Huffman
1999 Athena
Jan Knape
1999 Outstanding Citizens
Michael J Marsh and Suzanne Crawford
1998 Athena
Martha Woelke
1998 I Love BG
Mike Marsh
1998 Outstanding Citizens
Robert Spitler and Joyce Kepke
1997 Athena
Karen Seeliger
1997 I Love BG
BG Optimists Club
1997 Outstanding Citizens
Colleen Smith and Richard Powers
1996 Athena
Joan Callecod
1996 I Love BG
Scott McEwen
1996 Outstanding Citizens
Kay Sergent and Richard Newlove
1995 Athena
Becky Bhaer
1995 I Love BG
Gayl Pearson Dave Spengler Gary Adler
1995 Outstanding Citizens
Kenneth Harger and Dorothy Bryan
1994 Athena
Elaine Paulette
1994 I Love BG
Noon Kiwanis Club
1994 Outstanding Citizens
Maxine Miller and William T Culbertson
1993 Athena
Mary Beth Hammond
1993 I Love BG
Tim Harris
1993 Outstanding Citizens
Edwin Miller and Shirley Hilyard
1992 Athena
Diane Huffman
1992 I Love BG
Bill Culbertson
1992 Outstanding Citizens
Richard E Schmidt, Nanie Gamble, and Charles Bartlett
1991 Athena
Charlene Kerr
1991 I Love BG
Floyd Craft
1991 Outstanding Citizens
Thomas Stubbs
1990 Athena
Maxine Cross
1990 I Love BG
Tim Dunn
1990 Outstanding Citizens
Daniel Reddin III, Edward Reiter, and Norma Barr
1989 Athena
Lucille Overman
1989 I Love BG
Rotary Club
1989 Outstanding Citizens
Amy Togerson and Wesley K Hoffman
1988 Athena
Cathy Wenig
1988 I Love BG
Jaycees
1988 Outstanding Citizens
Lolita Guthrie and Francis Dahms
1987 Athena
Colleen Smith
1987 Outstanding Citizens
Patricia McGinnis and Albert Newlove
1986 Athena
Liz Bivins
1986 Outstanding Citizens
Lynn Long and Paul Jones
1985 Outstanding Citizens
Margaret Tucker and Sam Cooper
1984 Outstanding Citizens
Sheilah Fulton and Ashel Bryan
1983 Outstanding Citizens
Marilyn Singleton and Charles Barrell
1982 Outstanding Citizens
Lyle Fletcher and Beryl Parrish
1981 Outstanding Citizens
Marilyn Beattie and Bruce Bellard
1980 Outstanding Citizens
Ruth Putnam and Harry C Boileau
1979 Outstanding Citizens
Mavalene Day and William C Jordan
1978 Outstanding Citizens
Roy Klever and Virginia Nader
1977 Outstanding Citizens
Esther Hayhurst and Floyd Coller
1976 Outstanding Citizens
Annabelle Kinney and Alva W Bachman
1975 Outstanding Citizens
Arthur Sloan and Joan Gordon
1974 Outstanding Citizens
Ervin Kreischer
1973 Outstanding Citizens
Bertha Younkin and Donald King
1972 Outstanding Citizens
Franklin Skibbie
1971 Outstanding Citizens
Tillie Sloan and Harry Bavis
1970 Outstanding Citizens
Jack Armstrong
1969 Outstanding Citizens
Walter Hadley
1968 Outstanding Citizens
Helen Morris and Lorin Janzer
1967 Outstanding Citizens
Ernest Littleton
1966 Outstanding Citizens
John Parlette and Margaret Kohl
1965 Outstanding Citizens
Elon Priess
1964 Outstanding Citizens
Margaret Robson and Arch Conklin
1963 Outstanding Citizens
Helen Janzer and FV Boyle
1962 Outstanding Citizens
Walter Zaugg and Katherine Haswell
1961 Outstanding Citizens
Fred W Uhlman Sr and Grace Knepper
1960 Outstanding Citizens
Gilbert Cooke
1959 Outstanding Citizens
Larry Holley & Adeline Halleck
1958 Outstanding Citizens
Etta Richards
1957 Outstanding Citizens
Jim Staley & Gladys Cook