For the City Times

STEVENS POINT — Two Portage County businesses and two leaders in our county’s business community will be singled out for honors on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at the Portage County Business Council’s Annual Dinner.

The event will be held at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center, 1001 Amber Ave., from 5:30-8:30PM. Each year business council members, guests and dignitaries gather to celebrate the best of the best in volunteers, businesses, government, education, and non-profit organizations. The annual dinner is a celebration of past accomplishments and it is an opportunity to recognize the achievements of the past year.

Chosen for his dedication to community outreach and participation in activities that promote the mission of the Portage County Business Council (PCBC), Pete Theisen with The Portage County Bank, will be presented the Ambassador of the Year award.

Community First Bank will be awarded the Small Business of the Year for their growth, strength in employer/employee relations, efforts to adapt to market changes, commitment to community service and industry leadership.

The business council selected Aspirus Stevens Point Campus to receive the Decree of Excellence Award based on their contributions to the area’s economic vitality, increase in local employment base and significant contributions in community service.

Keith Pilger, partner with the law firm Anderson O’Brien, will be presented the President’s Award for his dedication to the Portage County Business Council, the PCBC Foundation, and her economic development efforts for our community.

“When you talk about quiet, yet impactful, service to a community, the name of Keith Pilger, Anderson O’Brien, is in the center of the conversation,” said 2017 Portage County Business Council Board President Doug Ballweg. “His engagement in moving the community forward goes well beyond his years on the board of directors for the Portage County Business Council, including two terms as president. Like so many of our members, he is interested in keeping the community in the forefront of growth and innovation.”

The presenting sponsor of the event is Sentry Insurance. Award sponsors include CliftonLarsonAllen, Delta Dental of Wisconsin, Marshfield Clinic, and WoodTrust Bank; and the reception sponsors include AT&T, Keller, Inc., The Dirks Group, and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation.

“Our annual award winners are a microcosm of why our community has such a great quality of life,” said Todd Kuckkahn, Executive Director for the Portage County Business Council. “These recipients reflect all that is great about the people, businesses, education and government here. They are role models of unselfishness and what it means to sacrifice for the betterment of everyone. They join a long line of community leaders recognized for excellence.”