Chamber's annual Business Excellence Awards

By Mark Ribble

LEAMINGTON — Mother Nature attempted to put a damper on the 26th Annual Business Excellence Awards produced by the Leamington District Chamber of Commerce, but some ingenuity and hard work helped make the evening enjoyable for about 80 vehicles in attendance.

Normally held as a large gala-style banquet, this year’s Business Excellence Awards were set up with a drive-in style atmosphere to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions.

“We really had to think outside the box,” said Wendy Parsons, general manager of the Chamber.

A 40-foot inflatable drive-in style screen was erected but after thunderstorms rolled through, it was deflated and the promotional videos and live-stream featuring emcee Jay Marchillo, were projected onto the side of a party tent.

Inside the tent, the musical talents of Kari Lynn and Roger Hewett entertained the attendees as their sound was piped through the FM radios of the cars in attendance.

Cars get into place in anticipation of the 26th Annual Business Excellence Awards put on by the Leamington District Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, September 30. The event, usually held indoors was held outdoors this year at the Roma Club soccer field. About 80 vehicles attended and watched the awards from lawn chairs or from the comfort of their vehicle.

Sun photo

As the awards got underway, a light rain began to fall, but that didn’t stop the winners from coming forward to accept their awards.

Videos of the winners were also displayed on the side of the tent.

All-in-all, the night was deemed a success, as it brought businesses from the community together for a common purpose, which was to recognize excellence among them.

The winners and finalists are listed below. Photos of all the winners will will appear in next week’s paper.

Young Entrepreneur/ Professional Award

Sponsored by Cogeco Connexion.

Finalists: Nicole Anderson from Ricci, Enns, Rollier & Setterington LLP, Curtis Labutte from BDC and Faith Monaco from Impact Health and Fitness Centre.

Recipient: Faith Monaco, Impact Health and Fitness.

When Faith Monaco began her career in the fitness industry almost four years ago, she likely didn’t imagine that it would come full circle in such a short amount of time. The Leamington native and certified fitness trainer, opened her own business, Impact Fitness on June 1, 2018 at a small location on Talbot Street East. Exactly one year later, she was able to purchase the equipment at Leamington Fitness and opened up there at 88 Talbot Street East. The gym offers personal training, group fitness classes, fully equipped gym and separate women’s room.

The Youth Excellence Award

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Leamington.

Finalists: Hannah Iacobelli, Hima Patel and Anouk Weber.

Recipient: Hannah Iacobelli.

Hannah Iacobelli is a fourth year Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Toronto. The Cardinal Carter grad was very involved in the robotics team at CC and is part of the Robo-Gals at the U of T. While home during COVID, Hannah developed medical devices for third world countries. Her community spirit shows in everything she does.

Small Business Excellence for 1-9 Employees

Sponsored by WFCU.

Finalists: Burgess Refreshments, Dutch Boys Chocolate and Green Heart Catering.

Recipient: Green Heart Catering.

The Green Heart Lunch Club has been supplying nutritious meals to elementary school students in Windsor and Essex County since 2012. Green Heart started with the breakfast program at Kingsville Public School and now has 30 elementary schools across the county that take advantage of their nutritional programs.

The Kingsville based business is owned by Dennis Rogers, who started Green Heart Catering eight years ago in Leamington. After moving to Windsor for six years, the Green Heart Lunch Club now operates out of their Main St. building in Kingsville.

Small Business with 10-50 Employees

Sponsored by Scotiabank.

Finalists: Chartwell Leamington, Rosewood Senior Living and Seacliff Manor.

Recipient: Chartwell Leamington Retirement Residence.

Chartwell Leamington’s motto is ‘Making people’s lives better’, as they offer a variety of living accommodations, robust nutrition programs and various outings and activities. All of the suites at Chartwell Leamington are equipped with patio access and an insuite fireplace.

Excellence in Food Service Award

Sponsored by TD Canada Trust. Finalists: Crave Family Grill and Pub, Leamington Roma Club, Roy Thai.

Recipient: Crave Family Grill and Pub.

Chad and Dana Robinson operated a franchise restaurant out of their current location on Erie St. North in Leamington for many years before opting for the independence and freedom of rebranding into Crave Family Grill and Pub. Crave had to re-invent themselves when the COVID crisis hit, and through hard work and innovation, they were able to open a unique outdoor seating area for the summer months. They go above and beyond to bring you the quality and excellence you ‘crave’.

Customer First Award

Sponsored by CIBC Finalists: Abraham Orthodontics, CAA Travel, Canadian Tire

Recipient: Canadian Tire Leamington.

Bill Waechter took over the reins at Canadian Tire Leamington and has immersed himself into the local community. He felt the need to give back to the community, so he has been open about helping organizations who need the help, such as the Rotary Club with their Christmas Tree Sales. He is also a great supporter of the Jump Start program for children and was a community leader in donations of hand sanitizer during the peak of the COVID crisis.

Industrial Manufacturing Award

Sponsored by Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation.

Finalists: Global Pack Packaging Solutions, Highbury Canco, Powerhouse Boiler & Combustion.

Recipient: Global Pack Packaging Solutions

Beginning as Bell Plastiform Industries in 1998, Global Pack has grown and adapted to the new technologically advanced market and growing industry of packaging. Global Pack remains certified for Food Safety and maintains the utmost standards for our packaging. In 2018, they lost their facility to a fire, but have since rebuilt and are responding to consumer demand for high quality packaging.

Innovation Award

Sponsored by the Municipality of Leamington

Finalists: Aphria Diamond, Mastronardi Produce, Seacliff Energy Corp.

Recipient: Seacliff Energy Corp.

Since 2011, Seacliff Energy has been a state-of-the-art, organics recycling and bioenergy facility, boasting the first large-scale anaerobic digester in Canada, specifically built to handle a diverse range of organic materials. One of their mottos is, “We don’t have to waste our waste.”

Welcoming Accessibility Award

Sponsored by Community Living Essex County

Finalists: Leamington Half Century Centre, South Essex Community Council, The Bridge Youth Centre.

Recipient: Leamington Half Century Centre.

The Leamington & District Half Century Centre is a multi-purpose, community-oriented non-profit centre aimed at keeping older adults active, well, and living independently. The centre provides social, recreational, and educational programs and activities for people aged 50 and older, and also opportunities for volunteering time and services. They promote a positive lifestyle for seniors.

Warm Welcome Award

Sponsored by Parks Canada Point Pelee National Park

Finalists: Freddy’s Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge, Lakeside Bakery, Sweet Retreat.

Recipient: Sweet Retreat

Bob and Pat Vance have been operating Sweet Retreat for seven years and are proud of their ‘little oasis in the middle of uptown.’ They truly like to make ice cream an experience. Customers are invited to enjoy their backyard gardens as they enjoy one of their 32 flavours of premium ice cream and soft serve as well.

Positive Professionals Award

Sponsored by RBC Royal Bank

Finalists: Dr. Karen Archer, Arms Bumanlag, Corey Robertson, Tim Seech.

Recipient: Corey Robertson.

With over 20 years working in media and marketing, which includes radio, television and print media, Corey has spent the past 10 years as the Director of Marketing at Security One Alarms. His volunteer resume is impressive, being a past president of the Leamington District Chamber of Commerce, and is the newly elected President of the Bank Theatre. He also sits on the board of directors for the Erie Shores Health Foundation. Corey is a huge supporter of the performing arts in and around Leamington.

Spectators enjoying the show from their lawn chairs.

Sun photo

Grow South Essex Award

Sponsored by BMO Bank of Montreal

Finalists: Aphria Diamond, Mastronardi Produce, Nature Fresh Farms.

Recipient: Aphria Diamond.

Aphria Diamond represents a joint venture between Double Diamond Farms and Aphria and have brought their best practices of vegetable growing into the world of growing cannabis. Aphria Diamond has the lowest cost base in Canada, with top quality cannabis. They have 35 full time employees and 68 offshore workers.

Libro’s Sponsor’s Choice Award

Sponsored by Libro Credit Union

Recipient: Cured Craft Brewing Co.

Scott and Lisa Bradt were already running a successful business on Mill Street West at Bradt’s Butcher Block, but the entrepreneurial spirit within them prompted them to answer the Request for Proposal when the hundred-year-old Gregory Building was offered up by the municipality back in 2017. The result is the modern, state-of-the-art craft brewery you see today. After a lot of hard work and determination, the Bradts are now in full swing with Leamington’s first craft brewery.

Alf Bennie Award

Sponsored by Blackburn Radio.

Recipient: Paul Mastronardi.

The Alf Bennie award is named for the first President of the Leamington Chamber of Commerce and recognizes an individual in the community who has made a difference either through volunteering or community involvement. Paul Mastronardi personifies that profile. He is the CEO of Mastronardi Produce known for his exceptional leadership, innovation, passion for the produce industry and philanthropic spirit.

His leadership through the COVID crisis had him being recognized for his proactive approach to the pandemic, including the development of numerous health and safety policies. He created the COVID Taskforce and the SHIELD program, and along with his family, packed and distributed fresh produce to front line workers. He also donated over 75,000 faceshields and 1600 produce bags to local food banks.