The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) has announced the recipients of three major awards, which will be presented at the LRCC’s upcoming Annual Dinner on Thursday, June 10.
The 2020 award recipients include:
- Joan Nelson, Allen Neighborhood Center, Community Service Award
- Public Sector Consultants, Outstanding Small Business Award
- Quality Dairy, Legacy Award
Lansing Regional Chamber Announces Winners of Community Service, Outstanding Small Business, and Legacy Awards
Recipients to be Honored at the In-Person 109th Annual Dinner on June 10
LANSING, Mich. - The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) has announced the recipients of three major awards, which will be presented at the LRCC’s upcoming Annual Dinner on Thursday, June 10.
The 2020 award recipients include:
- Joan Nelson, Allen Neighborhood Center, Community Service Award
- Public Sector Consultants, Outstanding Small Business Award
- Quality Dairy, Legacy Award
Community Service: Joan Nelson, Allen Neighborhood Center
Joan Nelson is the founder and executive director of Allen Neighborhood Center, a 22-year-old hub for comprehensive and integrative community development located on Lansing’s Eastside neighborhood. As executive director, Nelson oversees programs focused on health, food security/access, youth development, entrepreneurism and job skill training, commercial corridor revitalization, and neighborhood capacity-building. Joan Nelson has a long history of community service, including founding member of the Kitty Genovese Anti-Rape collective; Council Against Domestic Assault board member, and chair of the Power of We Consortium.
“I was quite surprised, pleased, and very honored when I learned of this recognition,” said Nelson. “I also thank the hundreds of volunteers who make our work possible and the large number of institutional backers who have supported the work of the Allen Neighborhood Center over the past 22 years.”
Outstanding Small Business: Public Sector Consultants
Public Sector Consultants is an independent public policy consulting firm based in Lansing with a mission to improve the quality of life for residents of Michigan and beyond. They achieve this through the development and implementation of innovative, actionable public policies. For more than 40 years, PSC has relied on unbiased, nonpartisan research to deliver enduring outcomes. They are a certified women-owned small business that has served hundreds of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and regulated industries through a full suite of professional services to solve problems, improve systems, and empower action. Julie Metty Bennett, CEO and co-owner, and Rachel Kuntzsch, president and co-owner, were the first women owners in the company’s history.
“I was very pleasantly surprised and delighted,” said Kuntzsch. “There are a lot of outstanding small businesses in this region. To be selected for this award is a tremendous honor.”
“Our focus is always on serving our clients, so to have an award that focuses on us, and the work our team does is very rewarding,” said Metty Bennett. “We are grateful for this recognition.”
Legacy Award: Quality Dairy
For 85 years, Quality Dairy has been an iconic brand in the Greater Lansing region. Quality Dairy was founded in 1936 by Gregory J and Paulin Martin and Harvey and Mildred Mack for an initial investment of $600. What started as a single, small facility in the 1400 block of South Washington in Lansing has grown into a 28-store chain of convenience stores that reaches throughout Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton counties. In addition to their quality products and service, Quality Dairy is one of the region’s largest employers and a mainstay of the local economy.
“We remain a tri-county-focused business,” said Ken Martin, CEO, Quality Dairy. “Our stores are a combination of rural, suburban, and city center stores. We are among the top 10% regionally in terms of the size of employers, and one of the few that remains family-owned.”
The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner will be an in-person event and takes place on Thursday, June 10 from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Jackson Field in downtown Lansing. The LRCC will continue to review and adhere to current CDC Covid-19 guidelines as we move forward and will modify plans, as needed. Completing a health symptoms questionnaire, temperature check, and masks will be required for entry, and social distancing measures will be in place. Hand sanitizers will be placed throughout the event, and covered dinnerware will be provided for food.
Questions can be directed to Ashlee Willis at michiganpremierevents@lansingchamber.org. Tickets are $65 for LRCC members and $75 for non-members. Registration and additional information can be found at www.lansingchamber.org.
The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce works relentlessly to help businesses connect, grow and thrive. No mid-Michigan business stands alone when they are a member of the Chamber. For 120 years, the Chamber has served as the voice of the Greater Lansing business community. More information about LRCC and its programs and services can be found online at lansingchamber.org, Facebook, Instagram (@lansingregionalchamber), Twitter (@LansingChamber), and LinkedIn.
