Annual Chamber Awards Banquet
2025 Chamber Award Nomination Form
2024 Annual Chamber Awards Banquet Winners
Left to Right:
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City of Hays Small Business Achievement Award Winner: Regeena's Flower & Events
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Golden Belt Bank Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: Errol Wuertz
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Werth Wealth Management Member Investor of the Year Award Winner: Insurance Planning
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Grow Hays Robert E. Schmidt Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winner: Brent Schulte
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Nex-Tech Wireless Businesswoman of the Year Award Winner: LaVonne Giess
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Nex-Tech Citizen of the Year Award Winner: Jayne Inlow
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eyeSMILE Vision + Dental Helping Hands Award Winner: High Plains Mental Health Center
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Vyve Broadband Rising Star Award Winner: Tasha Eichman
1986-2023 Annual Chamber Awards Banquet Winners
RISING STAR:
- 2012: Shane Smith
- 2013: Brian Weimer
- 2014: Mark St. Peter
- 2015: Kara Moore
- 2016: Dustin Roths
- 2017: Sara Bloom
- 2018: Sarah Cearley
- 2019: Olga Detrixhe
- 2020: Chelsey Ladd
- 2021: Thomas Graham
- 2022: Nathan Legleiter
- 2023: Kelly Lewis
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR:
- 1986: Jim Schiffelbein
- 1987: Rick Kuehl
- 1988: Ronald Fundis
- 1989: Robert E. Schmidt
- 1990: Dr. Larry Gould
- 1991: David Carpenter
- 1992: Verlin Pfannenstiel
- 1993: Nick Niernberger
- 1994: Dr. Edward Hammond
- 1995: Dr. Robert Albers
- 1996: Lynne Albers
- 1997: Ron Wente
- 1998: Vivian Hammond
- 1999: Wayne Woofter
- 2000: Dale Allenbaugh
- 2001: Eber Phelps
- 2002: Gail Kuehl
- 2003: Kim Hodny
- 2004: Charles Reese
- 2005: Andrew Rupp
- 2006: Jeff Wick
- 2007: Lonny Claycamp
- 2008: Jana Jordan
- 2009: Tom Lippert
- 2010: Brenda Meder
- 2011: Gary Shorman
- 2012: Lance Smith
- 2013: Nikki Pfannenstiel
- 2014: Andy Stanton
- 2015: Stacey Smith
- 2016: Nancy Jeter
- 2017: Sherry Dryden
- 2018: Don Scheibler
- 2019: Christie Brungardt
- 2020: Johnny Matlock
- 2021: Jason Kennedy
- 2022: Randy Clinkscales
- 2023: Sarah Meitner
HELPING HANDS:
- 2018: DSNWK
- 2019: The Arc of Central Plains
- 2020: LINK, Inc.
- 2021: Grow Hays
- 2022: Linda Mills
- 2023: Kyle Carlin
BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR:
- 1986: Vey Simmons
- 1987: Judy Rohr
- 1988: Sr. Angeline Cepelka
- 1989: Gail Kuehl
- 1990: Lana Whitney
- 1991: Juanita Stecklein
- 1993: Karen Towns
- 1995: Jean Ross
- 1996: Kate Schmidtberger
- 1997: Clare Gustin
- 1998: Jayne Clarke
- 1999: Sandy Jacobs
- 2000: Connie Bollig
- 2001: Georgia Moore
- 2002: Patty Stull
- 2003: Sharon Dreher
- 2004: Linda Donlay
- 2005: Karen Dreiling
- 2006: Sue Rouse
- 2007: Marie Froelich
- 2008: Normadine Noone
- 2009: Ida Lundy
- 2010: Tonya Staab
- 2011: Brenda Herrman
- 2012: Michele Flax
- 2013: Deanna Doerfler
- 2014: Angie Zimmerman
- 2015: Dorothy Stieben
- 2016: Joslyn Brungardt
- 2017: Dr. Katrina Hess
- 2018: Shanna Dinkel
- 2019: Carol Staples
- 2020: Mary Hammond
- 2021: Kiley Rupp
- 2022: Judy Parks
- 2023: Carol Harfmann
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR:
- 2022: Mario & Karen Gutierrez
- 2023: Wes Rathbun
MEMBER INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
- 2022: HaysMed
- 2023: Nex-Tech Wireless
SMALL BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT
- 1997: Systems Solutions, Inc.
- 1998: Northwestern Printers, Inc.
- 1999: Kuehl Operations
- 2000: Gib’s Auto Supply
- 2001: Classic Quality Body Shop
- 2002: Wolf Furniture Galleries
- 2003: Northwestern Office Suppliers, Inc.
- 2004: Rock Haven Spa & Salon
- 2005: Auto World Used Cars
- 2006: Cerv’s
- 2007: Hess Services
- 2008: Vision Video Lab
- 2009: Lang Diesel, Inc.
- 2010: Doerfler’s Harley Davidson-Buell
- 2011: Glassman Corporation
- 2012: Pioneer Photography
- 2013: Hays Academy of Hair Design
- 2014: Heartland Building Center
- 2015: M & D of Hays
- 2016: Horizon Appliance & Electronics
- 2017: Joe Bob Outfitters
- 2018: Paul-Wertenberger Construction
- 2019: Werth Wealth Management
- 2020: S&W Supply, Inc.
- 2021: Kuhn’s Diamond Jewelers
- 2022: Commercial Builders
- 2023: Simpson Farm Enterprises
HALL OF FAME
- 1986: Ralph Hunter
- 1987: Gerald W. Tomanek
- 1988: Ross Beach
- 1989: Jack D. Goodman
- 1990: William F. Aubel
- 1991: Don Bickle
- 1993: Norman W. Jeter
- 1994: Ralph Butler
- 1995: Harlan F. Murphy
- 1996: H.D. Woods, Jr.
- 1997: Dr. Larry Gould
- 1998: Dr. Daniel Rupp
- 1999: Ken Beran
- 2000: Henry Schwaller Sr.
- 2001: BoB Templeton
- 2002: Verlin Pfannenstiel
- 2003: Bob Schmidt
- 2004: Rev. Bill Miller
- 2005: Mike Cooper
- 2006: Lloyd Lundy
- 2007: Judy Rohr Flaherty
- 2008: Stan Dreiling
- 2009: Dr. Edward Hammond
- 2010: Nick Niernberger
- 2011: Tom Thomas
- 2012 :Bob Helm
- 2013: Jean Ross
- 2014: Bob Lowen
- 2015: Marvin Rack
- 2016: Gary Wentling
- 2017: Jerry Ubert
- 2018: Dick Werth
- 2019: Lonny Claycamp
- 2020: Galen Pfeifer
- 2021: Sandy Jacobs
- 2022: Fr. Earl Befort
- 2023: Marion Dreher
