Local News

Hundreds attend Chamber Awards Gala

Outstanding individuals and companies in Shelbyville and Shelby County are likely still glowing from their “Night to Shine.” 

That was the theme of the 2019 Chamber Awards Gala hosted by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.

Several hundred people attended the Chamber's “Night to Shine” awards gala at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino on Thursday evening.

A total of 10 awards are given at the annual event - seven to individuals and three to companies and organizations.

In the individual category, Karen Stieneker was named the 2019 Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

“I'm fortunate that I'm still able to do this volunteer work that I do,” she said, “It takes many volunteers for this to happen, and on behalf of those volunteers, I accept this award.” 

Stieneker is a retired paralegal. She volunteers extensively at Shelby Senior Services, and, for 56 years, with the Daughters of Isabella, a service group at the St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Eric Sutton was the winner of the 2019 Golden Apple Outstanding Educator Award.

“I want to thank the whole community of Shelbyville for supporting the schools, supporting all the teachers. It's so important.” he said.

Sutton's been an art teacher at Loper Elementary School since 1996.  He leads his students to do artworks for SCUFFY and the annual “Drug Free” calendar put out by the county prosecutor's office. 

Dennis Baker, co-founder of Builders Lumber and Hardware, was named the 2019 John A. Hartnett Sr. Business Person of the Year.

His son, Brian, accepted the award following a video featuring his father, and promised to carry on in his father's footsteps.

In the other individual categories:

Beth Case was the winner of the 2019 “Dick Kitchin” Volunteer of the Year Award.

Case is a financial advisor at Edward Jones.  She's also vice president of the local Business and Professional Women's organization and has been very active in the Chamber and other groups.

Tom Rosenfeld was the winner of the 2019 Shelby County Community Lifetime Achievement Award.

Rosenfeld is retired from State Farm Insurance after 44 years.  He's been involved with the Salvation Army board, SCUFFY, Rotary Club and the Blue River Community Foundation.

Chris Browder was the winner of the 2019 Golden Pineapple Customer Service Award.

Browder began volunteering at the Shelby County Animal Shelter in 2006 and was hired as administrative assistant 2 years later.  She helps grieving families who must have a pet put to sleep.

Tom Johnson was the winner of the 2019 Pay It Forward Award.

Johnson is president of Ryobi Die Casting (USA) Inc.  He's supported SCUFFY for 17 years along with the Boys Club and Girls Inc., particularly the recent Girls Inc. expansion.

Recipients of the awards for individuals were known in advance.

However, the suspense built throughout the evening at the Chamber Awards Gala leading to the announcements of the business and nonprofit awards.

Those awards are given for contributions from both business growth, and volunteer work, that impact the community:

Knauf Insulation was named 2019 Large Business Champion of the Year

Shelby Materials was named 2019 Small Business Champion of the Year;

Blue River Community Foundation was named 2019 Nonprofit Champion of the Year.

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