Elkhart County’s Business Legacy Hall of Fame & Gala


Since its inception, Elkhart County has been known for its entrepreneurs, innovation and business leadership. Building on this, Junior Achievement & Lemonade Day serving Elkhart County is excited to announce our annual Business Legacy (Hall of Fame) Gala.

Image

8th Annual Business Legacy Hall of Fame Induction Gala

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH 6PM-9PM
CRYSTAL BALLROOM AT THE LERNER THEATRE
BUY TICKET NOW

2023 Award Recipients

The Havilah Beardsley Recognition

Young Entrepreneur (under 35)
Kate Steury, Shirley’s Popcorn

The Guy David Gundlach Recognition

COMMUNITY IMPACT
Jackie Walorski Swihart *, Congresswoman

THE THOMAS I. ATKINS RECOGNITION

MINORITY IN/OWNED BUSINESS
Cien Asoera, Edward Jones

THE HELEN MURRAY FREE RECOGNITION

WOMEN IN/OWNED BUSINESS
Becky Bontreger, Middlebury Produce

THE DR. FRANKLIN MILES RECOGNITION

HEALTHCARE
Sandy Weatherwax, LoveWay, Inc.

THE C.G. CONN RECOGNITION

MANUFACTURING Excellence
Dick Strefling

THE HERMAN F. BORNEMAN SR. RECOGNITION

DISTRIBUTION, RETAIL OR LOGISTICS
Dick Lavanture, LaVanture Products

THE CLARENCE C. MOORE RECOGNITION

TECHNOLOGY
Steven K. Haines, American Technology Components, Inc.

J. LAWRENCE BURKHOLDER RECOGNITION

Leadership in Education
Herbert and Ruth Tolson *, Tolson Center for Community Excellence

Business as a Force of Good

Everence Financial

THE PATRICIA G. AND ARTHUR J. DECIO LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Tom Warrick
*HONOREE BEING RECOGNIZED POSTHUMOUSLY
We hope you can join us at the 8th Annual Business Legacy Hall of Fame Gala.

Award Name & Categories

The recognition of these individuals are meant to preserve the history of Elkhart while celebrating our current business leaders for their leadership in our community. The recipients will be inducted into our “Business Hall of Fame” which will be a plaque with their story that will be displayed in a public setting.



The Havilah Beardsley Recognition

This award is presented to a “young entrepreneur” that has shown innovation and leadership in regards to creating a new business. The criterion for this award is for any young professional that has started a business and is the age of 35 years old or under. At the age of 35 Havilah Beardsley created the first mill in Elkhart and later purchased the land, which is now downtown Elkhart. He is the father of Elkhart and has proven that young entrepreneurs can make a significant impact and legacy.

The C.G Conn Recognition

This award celebrates a business or individual that has made a significant contribution to manufacturing. Charles Gerard Conn was as an Army Captain and POW during the Civil War. He later the inventor of the rubber-rimmed mouthpiece in 1875 and then founded CG Conn band instrument company which helped put Elkhart on the map as the band instrument capital of the world.

Business Legacy Hall Of Fame Award Winners


2016 Award Winners

2016 Award Winners


2017 Award Winners

2017 Award Winners


2017 Award Winners

2018 Award Winners


2019 Award Winners

2019 Award Winners


2020 Award Winners

2020 Award Winners


2021 Award Winners

2021 Award Winners


2022 Award Winners

2022 Award Winners


2023 Award Winners

2023 Award Winners




Traveling Hall of Fame Exhibit



Each year, the 10 inductees to the Business Legacy Hall of Fame and their stories are displayed on a traveling exhibit that is made possible through the generosity of the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau. It travels to free public venues across the county throughout the year to highlight each Honoree's story.

Special thanks to Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau


Brought to you by our sponsors

 

Presenting Sponsor


 

Lifetime Achievement Award Sponsor

Woman Owned/ In Business Award Sponsor

Minority Owned/In Business Award Sponsor

Manufacturing Award Sponsor

Retail, Logistics and Distribution Award Sponsor

Young Entrepreneur Award Sponsor

Community Impact Award Sponsorship

Education Award Sponsor

Healthcare Award Sponsor

Technology Award Sponsor

Traveling Hall of Fame

Volunteer of the Year Sponsor

Educator of the Year

Business as a Force of Good

VIP

VIP