Two Portage County businesses and two leaders in the county’s business community were honored Wednesday, Jan. 27, at the Portage County Business Council’s (PCBC) annual awards dinner held at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center in Stevens Point.

Each year, PCBC members and guests gather to celebrate the year’s best in volunteers, businesses, government and nonprofit organizations. The dinner is a celebration of past accomplishments, and it is an opportunity to recognize the achievements of the past year.

Chosen for her dedication to community outreach and participation in activities that promote the mission of the PCBC, Sarah Agena, owner of Flexible Nutrition Solutions was selected for the Ambassador of the Year.

“Sarah’s enthusiasm and dedication towards volunteering for the Business Council is outstanding,” said Karen Schanock, PCBC director of programs and events. “She volunteers during the year by attending business events such as ribbon cuttings, grand openings, Business After Hours, visits to new and existing businesses, monthly meetings, and serves as the Club’s vice chairperson. She has definitely exceeded the membership requirements of the Ambassadors Club.”

Marten Machining, a Stevens Point company, was selected for the Small Business of the Year Award for its growth, strength in employer/employee relations, efforts to adapt to market changes, commitment to community service and industry leadership.

The business has experienced steady growth since 1984, which can be attributed to community support, an ongoing goal to provide exceptional levels of customer service, precision work and retention of staff. All of their employees – 20 full time and five part time have grown up and gone to school in central Wisconsin. Marten Machining credits local school systems for being able to stay in business successfully.

The Business Council selected Ki Mobility, a Stevens Point manufacturer of customized wheelchairs, for the Decree of Excellence Award based on its contributions to the area’s economic vitality, increase in local employment base and significant contributions in community service.

The company started small in size and scope, with owners determined to design a high quality, lightweight folding wheelchair and sold its first “Catalyst 5” to Monroe Home Care Shoppe in Michigan Dec. 27, 2006.

By August of 2007, the company sold its 100th chair. In October of 2007, it added two more chairs to its product line, and by December of 2015, the company had sold 50,000 chairs.

The business expanded its operations in 2009 and 2013, and its new 75,000-square-foot facility, located along the interstate, will open in March of this year.

“Ki Mobility will serve as the solid anchor of this community for years to come. We look forward to celebrating the 10-year anniversary in September of this year” said Todd Kuckkahn, executive director for the Portage County Business Council.

David Worth, president and CEO of the Worth Company, was selected for the President’s Award for his dedication to the PCBC, the PCBC Foundation and his economic development efforts for the community.

“David Worth and his family are pillars of our community,” said Keith Pilger, 2015 Portage County Business Council Board president. “Dave has been involved in many charitable endeavors and spent countless hours volunteering his time to better Portage County. Dave has been a trusted adviser to the Portage County Business Council Board of Directors and has been instrumental in the Council’s economic development and workforce development initiatives.

“Dave is a quiet leader who leads by example and never seeks recognition for his efforts. It was an honor for me to provide him with this award and we are all extremely fortunate to have him and his family in our community,” P