Annual Awards

Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet

2024 Awards Banquet Photos

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
2024 Dr. Richanne C. Mankey

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
2024 Lisa Weaner

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

2024	Christopher Gaskill
	Lance Sherry
	Curtis Switzer
	Paige Wesche

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
2024	Pastor David Brobston