Annual Awards
Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards
The Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce holds an Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet on the 2nd Thursday in September, which is September 12, 2024. In addition to the Business Achievement Awards given out to Chamber members for their years of service, the following awards are awarded that evening:
Michael A. Schultz Leadership Award
The Michael A. Schultz Leadership Award is given to an individual in the community who has exhibited exceptional leadership and dedicated their time and talents for the betterment of the Defiance area. This prestigious award is given to someone who has made significant contributions to the community and their profession.
Past winners of the Michael A. Schultz Leadership Award
| 2003 | Vince Polce |
| 2004 | Pete Lundberg |
| 2005 | Greg Reineke |
| 2006 | Bud Williams |
| 2007 | Robert Serrick |
| 2008 | Mark and Sal Hench |
| 2009 | Norm Walker |
| 2010 | Larry Yoder |
| 2011 | William Koester |
| 2012 | Mark Moats |
| 2013 | Jerry Buti |
| 2014 | William 'Bill' Small |
| 2015 | Rod Martin |
| 2016 | Tom Held |
| 2017 | Mark Klein |
| 2018 | David Westrick |
| 2019 | Jerry Hayes |
| 2020 | Bryan Keller |
| 2021 | Mike & Laurie McCann |
| 2022 | Doug & Jennifer Shindler |
| 2023 | Robert Morton |
Quality of Life Award
The Quality of Life Award recognizes the contributions an individual, business or organization provides to the Quality of Life in our Community.
Past winners of the Quality of Life Award
| 2003 | Mary Barnes |
| 2004 | Frank Simonis |
| 2005 | Richard Stroede |
| 2006 | Jody Doyle |
| 2007 | Ann Melton |
| 2008 | Donna Polce |
| 2009 | Rick Small |
| 2010 | Glenn Kuhn |
| 2011 | Randy Buchman |
| 2012 | Paul & Linda Brose |
| 2013 | Annette Kuhlman |
| 2014 | Jack Palmer & Mary Steyer |
| 2015 | Cindy Mack |
| 2016 | Sam Switzer |
| 2017 | Jeff Strausbaugh |
| 2018 | Gary Cates |
| 2019 | Bill & Priscilla Pixler |
| 2020 | Jamie Gerken |
| 2021 | Jerry Latta |
| 2022 | Peter Lundberg |
| 2023 | Rob Cereghin |
4 Under 40 Award
The 4 Under 40 Awards are intended for individuals who have distinguished themselves early in their profession and/or career. It is meant to inspire young leaders in our community to excel to their full potential.
Past winners of the 4 Under 40 Award
| 2013 | Stephanie Small |
| Kelly Worline | |
| Aaron Keller | |
| Doug Plassman | |
| 2014 | Brianna Clemens |
| Annette Hoeffel | |
| Brandon McCann | |
| Jeff Starner | |
| 2015 | John Cates |
| Tim Hauenstein | |
| Dr. Megan DeTray | |
| Ryan Mack | |
| 2016 | Jake Oberlin |
| Amanda Kissner | |
| Kirk Jones | |
| Savanna Weber | |
| 2017 | None Awarded this year |
| 2018 | Lisa Bloomfield |
| Katie Groff-Held | |
| Michael Wahl | |
| Logan Wolfrum | |
| 2019 | Jason Bernal |
| Karin Black | |
| Kirstie Mack | |
| Jonathan Wolfrum | |
| 2020 | Jessica Kajfasz |
| Drew Shindler | |
| Nick Siewert | |
| Alesha Switzer | |
| 2021 | Sarah Cates |
| Jenna Karr | |
| Shaun Mack | |
| Brett Wagner | |
| 2022 | Joseph Ewers |
| Steven Furnas | |
| Ethan Stykemain | |
| Nicole Wells | |
| 2023 | Abby Wolfrum |
| Kasey Schwartz | |
| Sean O'Donnell | |
| Nick Wichman |
Good Citizen Award
The Good Citizen Award: This prestigious award, endowed by the Laurie and Mike McCann Family began in 2015 and is presented annually to one of Defiance area’s outstanding citizens. In addition to this fund maintained through the Defiance Area Foundation, the family established the following criteria to qualify for the award. Each nominee must be or have been:
- A promoter (individual or couple) of the Defiance Area for at least 10 years.
- Active in unpaid positions in organizations providing services to Defiance County.
- In a leadership position of a nonprofit and/or volunteer organization.
- Associated with at least one outstanding accomplishment in Defiance County. Nominations are accepted by the Defiance Area Foundation
Past winners of the Good Citizen Award
| 2015 | Nelson Hahn |
| 2016 | Darrell Jones |
| 2017 | John Diehl and Tom Boals |
| 2018 | Randy Buchman |
| 2019 | Rita Kissner |
| 2020 | Carrie Wetstein |
| 2021 | Terry & Ann Melton |
| 2022 | Jeff Batt |
| 2023 | Ginny Sterling |