CHAMBER AWARDS

The Burnsville Chamber understands the value of recognizing the businesses and individuals that go the extra mile for our community, local businesses, and the Chamber. Each year, individuals are nominated and selected by peers and previous award winners for Volunteer of the Year, Ambassador of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Business Person of the Year, and Legacy Award. The award winners are announced and honored at our Small Business & Tourism Week Celebration at the beginning of May each year.

Business Person of the Year
First given out in 1979, this prestigious award recognizes a member of our business community as Business Person of the Year. To receive this award, the recipient must meet the following criteria:
  • Be an active member of the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce
  • Be from a Burnsville business or branch
  • Hold a position of authority or responsibility in their business
  • Have an active interest in the betterment of the business community
  • Have an active interest in community affairs
  • Be recognized as a leader in the community
  • Be successful in their own business
  • Is not an elected official or currently serve on the Board of Directors for the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce

2025 – Laura Basballe, Focus Financial – The Basballe Group
2024 – Curt Enestvedt, Enestvedt & Christensen CPAs
2023 – Ameet Shah, Shah Corporation
2022 – Jamal Ansari, The Mediterranean Cruise Cafe
2021 – Doron Jensen, Jensen’s Cafe
2020 – Sandra Schlaefer, King & Companies
2018 – Bill Raker
2017 – Dave Edmunds
2016 – Dennis Diessner, Kraus-Anderson Insurance
2015 – Tom Taylor, Shippers Resource Center
2014 – Bob Stowell
2013 – Brad Rixmann, Pawn America
2012 – Mark Meier
2011 – Daniel (Mahowald) Mosier, Cornerstone Copy Center
2010 – Darlene Miller
2009 – Dick Sjoquist
2008 – Steve Saefke
2007 – James Marchessault
2006 – Margaret Linvill
2005 – Mike Valentine
2004 – Sue Luikens
2003 – Wayne Huelskoetter
2002 – Glenn McKee
2001 – Skip Nienhaus
2000 – Ken Slipka
1999 – John Adamich
1998 – Dick Ames, Ames Construction
1997 – Howard Knutson
1996 – Don Kotula
1995 – Bob Belongie
1994 – Donna Green
1993 – Roger Neitzke
1992 – Sandra Jacobsen
1991 – Tom Halfpenny
1990 – Ralph Linvill
1989 – Jerry Chase
1988 – Darwin Voltin
1987 – Rudy Borowicz
1986 – Ron Lund
1985 – Dan McElroy
1984 – Kirk Detlefsen, Detlefsen Insurance
1983 – Judy Tschumper
1982 – Tom Kelley
1981 – Bob Christensen
1980 – Warren Kelly
1979 – Ray Connelly

2025 Business Person of the Year
Laura Basballe, Focus Financial – The Basballe Group

Legacy Award
The Burnsville Chamber Legacy Award was created in 2020 to recognize a member of the business community for their long-term significant impact on the Burnsville Community and on the Chamber. The award may not be presented every year but when it is given it will honor a person who has left a lasting legacy of commitment service and positive impact.

2024 – Mark Jacobs, Career Centers of Dakota/Scott County
2023 – Jim Oricchio, Coordinated Business Systems
2021 – Butch Ames, Ames Construction
2020 – Mike O’Connor, Michael O’Connor – Attorney at Law

2025 Legacy Award
Mark Jacobs, Career Centers of Dakota/Scott County

Entrepreneur of the Year
Added in 2022 this award recognizes a Chamber member business owner who has significantly grown their business in recent years has overcome adversity and shown support for the community and the Burnsville Chamber.

2025 – Melanie Vejdani, Olivia’s Organic Cafe
2024 – Faisal Farah, Burnsville Automotive
2023 – Eric Childs, Mind’s Eye Comics
2022 – Amber Peterson, the SPA by Amber Budd Atelier

2025 Entrepreneur of the Year
Melanie Vejdani, Olivia’s Organic Cafe

Ambassador of the Year
This award honors a special Ambassador that goes above and beyond to represent the Chamber at events and in the community. He/she is often so involved that some might think they work full-time for the Chamber!

2025 – Chad Krueger, MinnTrust Mortgage
2024 – John Hamilton, Burnsville Fire Muster & Festival
2023 – Heidi Olson, Edward Jones Financial Advisor
2022 – Paul Rime, Sterling State Bank
2021 – John Swaney, Precision Signs & Imaging
2020 – Jessica Nehring, Keller Williams Realty
2018 – David Manzella, Northern Life Chiropractic
2017 – Gina Lee
2016 – Mike Reeves, MinuteMan Press
2015 – Heather Bierbrauer, Old National Bank
2014 – Amber Owens
2013 – Steve Bringgold
2012 – Mike Mckeen, zero1zero
2011 – Jacob Zika
2010 – Jason Miller
2009 – Scott Johnson
2008 – Roger Walia
2007 – Rosie Martin, Coldwell Banker Realtors
2006 – Donna Nelson
2005 – Ruth Sipprell
2004 – Rosie Widel
2003 – Sandy Heimerl
2002 – Sue Luikens
2001 – Wendy Land
2000 – Tony Pankey
2000 – Don Beno
1999 – Ianthe Hermann
1998 – Sandie McKee
1997 – Kathleen Haasl

2025 Ambassador of the Year
Chad Krueger, MinnTrust Mortgage

Volunteer of the Year
The Burnsville Chamber could not run without our many dedicated volunteers. This award recognizes one outstanding volunteer for putting in the extra effort to lend a hand at events, serve on committees and be a positive voice for the Chamber.

2025 – Tom Fisher, Burnsville Living Magazine
2024 – Megan Driscoll, Detlefsen Insurance
2023 – Brian Wisdorf, Dougherty, Solfest, Hills & Bauer, P.A.
2022 – Brady Folkestad, Lakeview Bank
2021 – Lori Oelrich, Re/Max Results Realty
2020 – Dale Duppong, IAG Commercial
2018 – Jessica Nehring, Keller Williams Realty
2017 – Anna Garcia, Old National Bank
2016 – Jennifer McClellan, New Spaces
2015 – Talla Antonczak
2015 – Linda Coughlin
2014 – Jayne Berquist
2013 – Mike McKeen, zero1zero
2012 – Mary Mittelstaedt, Country Cabinets
2011 – Mark Meier
2010 – Sharon Buechner
2009 – Mary Benkufsky
2008 – Katie Odeen, Detlefsen Insurance
2007 – Ruth Sipprell
2006 – Jeanne Thompson
2005 – Donna Nelson
2004 – Dan Freeman
2003 – Ray Lesner
2002 – Diane Hagler
2001 – Charlie Benson
2000 – Mark Thompson
1999 – Vic Achenbach

2025 Volunteer of the Year
Tom Fisher, Burnsville Living Magazine

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