For the City Times

STEVENS POINT—One Portage County business, one nonprofit organization, and one industry leader in the county’s business community were singled out for honors Thursday, April 25 at the Creative Excellence Awards Breakfast.  Nearly 100 people attended the event at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center.

Ascension St. Michael’s Breast Care Center Group. (Contributed)

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award was presented to D1 Training-Stevens Point, owner Kevin Kirschbaum, located in the Portage County Business Park.  D1 Training-Stevens Point was selected from several nominees by the Business Council’s Selection Committee based on their:

• Growth and financial stability
• Dedication to customer service and community needs
• Personal commitment
• Innovative efforts to identify a market niche.

Kirschbaum held his grand opening last year and partnered with Stevens Point Orthopedics to better serve the community with a combination of innovative therapy and fitness training programs. The D1 team grew from 2 part time to 11 full time staff, from 48 members to 151 members, and visits from members per month grew from 239 to 1,629.

The Portage County Charitable Community Award was presented to Ascension St. Michael’s Hospital Breast Care Center. The Breast Care Center became a reality as the result of a successful $4-million Hope is Building Campaign. It provides personalized, centralized care that is essential for all women and their families who are navigating a difficult journey. It includes state-of-the-art equipment including 3-D mammography/tomosynthesis, stereotactic biopsy capabilities, ultrasound and ultrasound-guided capabilities, and a beautiful boutique, staffed by licensed nurse navigators who can fit prosthetics, bras, swimsuits and wigs.

(From left to right) Rep. Katrina Shankland, Kevin Kirschbaumi, and Senator Patrick Testin. (Contributed)

The Ignite Young Professional of the Year Award was presented to Tia Misoni. Tia is a Mortgage Consultant at Prosperity Home Mortgage. She is very involved with the Ignite Young Professionals group and is Co-Chair for the Career Committee and was awarded Board Member of the Year for 2018.  Misoni’s greatest passions, besides her full time career, are children and those in the foster care system.  She volunteers much of her time at Social Services and at her son’s school, as the volunteer coordinator.  As evidence of her profession and involvement, Tia has a passion for local youth and this community.

Their dedication to bettering our local community is another element that makes all three award winners unique and valuable parts of the Portage County business community.  We salute your work and congratulate you on these well-deserved awards!

Representative Katrina Shankland and Senator Patrick Testin were in attendance to hand out State of Wisconsin proclamations to the award recipients.

Mr. Jeff Ebel was the guest speaker for the event.  His presentation was entitled “Success is a Lousy Teacher”.  

The corporate sponsors of the event included Anderson O’Brien, Buzza Drier & Johnson LLC, CliftonLarsonAllen, Community First Bank, Herrschners, Kerber Rose Certified Public Accountants, Regnier Consulting Group, Wipfil LLP, and Wisconsin Public Service.

The media sponsor of the event was NRG Media and Aleese Fielder from NRG Media acted as Master of Ceremonies of the event.