2023 Chamber Choice Awards

We love recognizing people for their hard work. That’s why we created the Chamber Choice Awards Banquet. Each year, the Perham Area Chamber of Commerce holds a banquet to recognize businesses and individuals who have been exceptional in and for our community. (Click here to view the video from our 2021 event.)

The Chamber will be accepting nominations for the 2023 award categories from the public the month of January in 2023. Recipients have been selected for awards by the committee, and the public is invited to a banquet honoring these award winners.

Cost is $30, and includes a sit-down dinner. Pre-registration is encouraged to help make the evening run smoothly. If you do not wish to attend the dinner, the doors will be opened at approximately 7:15pm for free admission after the meal. Follow the link above in gold to reserve your seat.

Award categories are described as follows:

  • The Leadership Award – This award is given to someone who has done an especially good job in leading the community on a project or an important issue. These nominees tend to be involved in organizations that help people or help in community projects, and they are highly generous with their leadership skills.

  • The Hall of Fame Award – This award is given to someone who deserves to be recognized for his or her work for the community over time. This person would be considered an integral part of the community and highly involved in making Perham a better community. These nominees might have been in business or a service sector in the community, working or retired, living or deceased or even former residents.

  • The Volunteer Award – Just as the award states, this person gives of her or his time to volunteer to help others. Let’s recognize our volunteers.

  • The Humanitarian Award – This award is given to an individual or organization who is devoted to improving the physical and/or emotional welfare of those in our community.

  • The Best in Business Award – This award is given to a business or organization that continues to strive to remain competitive and innovative.

  • The Small Town Spirit Award – This award will go to a business or organization that consistently exhibits outstanding customer service, support, and community spirit.

Past Recipients

Volunteer Award

2023 – Dave Howey

2022 – Carol Rethemeier and Kevin Kupferschmidt

2021 – Nick Theroux

2020 – Shirley Davidson

2019 – Fran Johnson

2018 – Dale Wanderi, History Museum of East Otter Tail County

2017 – Harriet Mattfeld, Mark J Schmidt

2016 – Richville Clothing Mission – Winnie Huwe & Mary Hein

2015 – Tyler Krumwiede, Lenny Johnson, Merle Thompson, Joyce Koelln, and Fern Boedigheimer

2014 – Cindy Olson

2013 – Lynette Grismer, Catherine Drahmann

Best in Business Award

2023 – J & L Nutritional Consulting / Backyard Boarding and Playcare

2022 – Joe Foltz Construction/Interiors by Winkels/Rivers Edge Cabinetry

2021 – Steve’s Sanitation

2020 – The Cactus

2019 – Gene’s Sport Shop

2018 – Gathering Grounds

2017 – Leighton Broadcasting

2016 – Goose Gang

2015 – Brew Ales & Eats

Small Town Spirit Award

2023 – MN Tru North

2022 – Disgruntled Brewing

2021 – Central Market

2020 – Richter’s Menswear

2019 – Bay Window Quilt Shop

2018 – GrandStay Hotel & Suites 

2017 – Perham Meat & Locker Plant

2016 – Murdock’s Ace Hardware

2015 – United Community Bank

Humanitarian Award

2023 – Courtney Rooney

2022 – Kim Nelson

2021 – Mary Nordbeck

2020 – Perham 180

2019 – Steve and Lisa Sheets

2018 – Ruby’s Pantry

2017 – The Bridge Pantry

Chamber Champion Award

2015 -Dean’s Country Market

Leadership Award

2023 – Brad Offutt

2022 – Dr. Mark Paulson, Dr. Brett Glawe and Dr. Kailey Witt

2021 – The Starfish Project

2020 – Darrin Swanson

2019 – Cori Brown, Mitch Anderson

2018 – Staci Malikowski

2017 – Mark Lenius, Chuck Johnson

2016 – Tuffy’s Pet Food Leadership Team

2015 – Tammy Sturdevant

2014 – Doug and Sue Huebsch

2013 – Jeff Morris

2012 – Dave Cresap & Perham Health Directors

2011 – Nick Theroux

2010 – Dennis Happel, Rev. Phil Holtan

2009 – Echo Dockter, Jenny Caughey

2008 – Honor Flight Project Fundraisers

2007 – Fred Sailer

2006 – Charlie Fleck

2005 – Angel of Hope Committee

2004 – Chuck Hofius

2003 – Gary Ebeling

2002 – Jim Hammers, Jean Johnson

2001 – Carl Analora

2000 – Dennis Drummond

1999 – Lina Belar

1998 – Marlin Zitzow

1997 – Les Gunderson

1996 – Alan Krueger, Dennis Happel

1995 – Jane Aschnewitz

1994 – Doug Eckes

1993 – Jack Cavanagh

1992 – Bill Bauck

1991 – Terry Karkela

1990 – Fred Huebsch,Sherman Mandt

1989 – Tom Meinhover

1988 – Ken Nelson

1987 – Allen Arvig

1986 – Tuffy Nelson

1985 – Don Swenson

Hall of Fame

2023 – Charlie Cavanagh, Bob Cavanagh

2022 – Randy Mattfeld

2021 – Dennis Happel, Mike Hamann

2020 – David Arvig, Gary Ebeling

2019 – Tony Stoll

2018 – John Turgeon, Mike Parta

2017 – Dan Schroeder, Dean Simpson

2016 – Mike Peterson

2016 – Jerry Kunza

2015 – Dr. Rand Stolee and Chuck Johnson

2014 – Lisa Peterson

2013 – Jill Shipman

2012 – Pastor Tom Mitchell

2011 – Ken Nelson

2010 – Allen Arvig

2009 – Russ Bunker, Gina Cavanagh

2008 – Bob Louiseau, Jerome Boedigheimer

2007 – Kevin Kosiak

2006 – Bob Perry, Mary Thomas

2005 – Sherman Mandt

2004 – Dale Wright, Net Kupferschmid, Bonnie & Del Stohs

2003 – Sherryl Holzer, Bill Parks, Kathryn Perszyk, Larry Kempenich, Arnie
Rethemeier

2002 – Bob Kinlund, Arne Thompson

2001 – Kathy Hemmelgarn, Lawrence & Mary Ann Guck, Ron & Dee Anderson

2000 – George Kupferschmid, Leona Rothiger, Paul Miller, Delores Wasche, Mary
Hemmelgarn

1999 – Bernard Palubicki, John Knight, Palmer Pederson, Clarence Boedigheimer

1998 – Denzil Cooper, Eleanor Arvig, Don Olson

1997 – M.J. Daly, Ed Ebeling, Catherine Drahmann

1996 – Ernie Kollar, Charlie Olson, Al Schoeneberger

1995 – Al Bretz, Ed Bauck, The Franciscan Sisters

1994 – Mac Tobkin, Royale B. Arvig, George Bauck, Art Carow, Verona Larson