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.

Read more about our 2024 award winners!

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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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!
  
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.
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Web - Awards Photos
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 PAST AWARD WINNERS

2024 – Curt Enestvedt
2023 – Ameet Shah
2022 – Jamal Ansari
2021 – Doron Jensen
2020 – Sandra Schlaefer
2018 – Bill Raker
2017 – Dave Edmunds
2016 – Dennis Diessner
2015 – Tom Taylor
2014 – Bob Stowell
2013 – Brad Rixmann
2012 – Mark Meier
2011 – Daniel (Mahowald) Mosier
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
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
1983 – Judy Tschumper
1982 – Tom Kelley
1981 – Bob Christensen
1980 – Warren Kelly
1979 – Ray Connelly

2024 – Mark Jacobs
2023 – Jim Oricchio
2021 – Butch Ames
2020 – Mike O’Connor

2024 – Faisal Farah
2023 – Eric Childs
2022 – Amber Peterson

2024 – John Hamilton
2023 – Heidi Olson
2022 – Paul Rime
2021 – John Swaney
2020 – Jessica Nehring
2018 – David Manzella
2017 – Gina Lee
2016 – Mike Reeves
2015 – Heather Bierbrauer
2014 – Amber Owens
2013 – Steve Bringgold
2012 – Mike Mckeen
2011 – Jacob Zika
2010 – Jason Miller
2009 – Scott Johnson
2008 – Roger Walia
2007 – Rosie Martin
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

2024 – Megan Driscoll
2023 – Brian Wisdorf
2022 – Brady Folkestad
2021 – Lori Oelrich
2020 – Dale Duppong
2018 – Jessica Nehring
2017 – Anna Garcia
2016 – Jennifer McClellan
2015 – Talla Antonczak
2015 – Linda Coughlin
2014 – Jayne Berquist
2013 – Mike McKeen
2012 – Mary Mittelstaedt
2011 – Mark Meier
2010 – Sharon Buechner
2009 – Mary Benkufsky
2008 – Katie Odeen
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