Midway Chamber of Commerce honors area businesses and its volunteer of the year

  ST. PAUL, MN - 03/21/2018 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

The Midway Chamber of Commerce has announced five recipients of its 2018 Leadership Awards. The awards were presented at the chamber’s annual celebration event and recognize leading businesses, non-profits, and individuals, who go above and beyond in their support of the business, not for profit organizations and people of the Midway community through the volunteering of their time, staff, and other resources. The winners this year are Ally People Solutions, Davis Communications Management, Deneen Pottery, Sunrise Banks, and Sabrina Fay of Thrivent Financial- Crossroads Associates

“The foundation of any chamber of commerce is the commitment its members make to support the organization and the community it serves,” said Chad Kulas, Executive Director of the MidwayChamber. “The winners of the leadership awards this year demonstrate the strength of the Midway Chamber. They also demonstrate the impact people can have by getting involved. Our community has benefited from their hard work.”

“These awardees represent the best of our community,” said Chris Ferguson, CEO of Bywater Business Solutions and current chair of the Midway Chamber of Commerce board of directors. “They start by being successful businesses. They build on that by engaging in our community to help us all be more successful.”

Ally People Solutions– Non-profit of the Year Award

 Ally People Solutions serves persons with intellectual disabilities, mental health conditions and their loved ones with employment and life skills services so each consumer can live the full, productive life that he or she desires.

In 2017 participants volunteered over 1,400 hours with area nonprofit organizations, performing a variety of duties which directly impact people who are elderly, hungry and who have limited income.

Davis Communications Management – Small Business of the Year Award

Davis Communications Management is a public relations, public affairs and communications consulting firm based in Saint Paul. They help clients build the partnerships they need to achieve their goals by connecting them with the people who are vital to their success. 

They offer strategic communication counsel, crisis management, media relations, and grassroots advocacy planning and implementation for businesses, not for profits and public organizations. Ted Davis founded Davis Communications in 1998. He has been active in the Midway Chamber for more than 20 years serving on the board of directors, interim executive director and board chair.

Deneen Pottery- Rookie of the Year Award

Founded in Saint Paul’s Lowertown in 1972, Deneen Pottery today operates in the Midway occupying over 25,000 square feet with 85 employees. Work of Deneen Pottery can be found throughout the world, in coffee shops, stores, colleges, restaurants and anywhere people need a beautiful mug. Since joining the Chamber in 2017, Niles Deneen has found new ways to contribute to our community through his company’s beautiful hand-thrown stoneware and by contributing his time and talents to the Chamber.

Sunrise Banks- Large Business of the Year Award

Sunrise Banks has been a critical community partner in the Midway for 100 years. A family owned nationally chartered bank with headquarters in the Midway, Sunrise has a long history of serving our inner-city communities. As engaged in the community as they are with their customers, the coffee shop at the Como Ave location supports a nonprofit each month, and in 2016 Sunrise led a build for Habitat for Humanity. Members of the Sunrise Team have played volunteer leadership roles at the Midway Chamber of Commerce for many years.

Sabrina Fay, Thrivent Financial- Crossroads Associates – Volunteer of the Year award

Sabrina Fay and her team provide financial consulting through Thrivent Financial. She serves on the Midway Chamber Board of Directors and has shared her expertise through the Economic Development Committee. Sabrina and her family, along with Thrivent, are supporters of the Shop with Cops program. Sabrina has led efforts to update the Chamber’s technology to better serve all of our members.

About the Midway Chamber of Commerce

The Midway Chamber of Commerce represents businesses and organizations that are dedicated to Building a Stronger Midway by providing programs and services that help members grow and thrive. To learn more about the chamber, visit midwaychamber.com