Chamber of commerce celebrates leaders, businesses and award recipients

MARINETTE – The Marinette Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its annual dinner and awards celebration on Thursday, Sept. 24, at Little River Country Club in Marinette, bringing together community leaders, businesses, chamber members and guests to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions that help make the area a great place to live, work,and grow.

The evening included a social hour and wine tasting provided by Jack’s Fresh Market, dinner and the presentation of the chamber’s 2026 awards, recognizing individuals, businesses and organizations making a positive impact throughout the community.

The chamber extended their congratulations to the following 2026 award recipients:

• Achievement in Education Award — Erinn Parker, Stephenson Area Public Schools, sponsored by Farmers & Merchants Bank & Trust
• WAVE Young Professional-of-the-Year — Keegan Delforge, ChemDesign Products, Inc.
• Nancy Douglas Parade of Progress Awards for Economic Development — Island Resort & Casino and Waupaca Foundry
• Small Business-of-the-Year — Forgotten Fire Winery, sponsored by First National Bank & Trust
• Employer-of-the-Year — Menco, LLC, sponsored by UP Michigan Works!
• Ron Wipfli Person-of-the-Year Award — Dr. Tracy LaCanne, LaCanne Family Dental
  The Chamber also recognized the graduates of the 2025 – 2026 Community Leadership Academy, a program designed to develop informed, engaged community leaders.

Graduates included: Nicole Albrecht, Emplify Health; Ashley Campbell, Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Marinette; Kayla Clairmont; Alicia Corey, Fincantieri Marinette Marine; Katie Dessart, Aurora Medical Group; Alison Earley, Peninsula Federal Credit Union; Ellen Grabian, Marinette Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce; Brandie Gromala, Weichert Realtors, Your Home Team; Christian Hornick, Caterpillar Fluid Transfer Solutions; Gabrielle Kirkish, Fincantieri Marinette Marine; Jordan Lokken, Kimberly-Clark Corp.; and Kelsey Losset, Domtar.

Finally, the chamber also expressed their appreciation to outgoing board members Julie Bulin of Emplify Health, Phil Eatherton of Waupaca Foundry and Lexi Rasner of Riverside Country Club for their service and contributions to the organization.

“An evening of celebrating all the good in our community and recognizing the contributions of all our award recipients was truly uplifting and inspirational,” commented Jacqueline Boudreau, executive director of the Marinette Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Thank you to everyone who attended this special evening of reflection, recognition and celebration. Your support helped make the event a memorable one as we honored the individuals and organizations making a positive difference in our community”.

For more information, contact Boudreau at jacqueline.boudreau@mandmchamber.com.