By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
It was a night of celebration as the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner, the first since COVID pandemic in 2020.
Along with celebrating the annual award recipients, the event, which this year was held at Crossroads Conference Center off of Clay Avenue, also gave members and local officials the opportunity to celebrate the contributions of President and CEO Bob Callaghan. In November, O’Callaghan announced his retirement from the chamber after working with Chamber for past 30-plus years, the last nine as its president and CEO.
“I can’t even guess how many feet of ribbon you have cut over the course of time, but I have been there for a lot of those ribbon cuttings and it is always important for new businesses to see that we are committed to them,” said Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll during a recent Government Matters, which is hosted by the Chamber and broadcast by WKTV.
“Thank you for all you have done to help the small business, the big businesses, businesses in general especially in these tough, tough times,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley during the Government Matters meeting. “ We really appreciate all that you did.”
For his years of service, O’Callaghan was awarded with the Gerald E. Fessell Distinguished Service Award. O’Callaghan thanked everyone at the meeting, stating he has some wonderful memories and hopes to remain in touch with many who were in attendance at the meeting.
The Chamber’s new president and CEO, Keith Morgan, also spoke during the event. He talked about the challenges many have faced due to COVID and how the Chamber is beginning to look at what it offers and will be offering some new and exciting opportunities to members.
Award recipients
Receiving the Retail Business of Year Award was Craig’s Cruisers, located at 5730 Clyde Park Ave. SW. With around 120,000 square feet, Craig’s Cruisers is one of the largest indoor, and outdoor, recreation facilities in the area, offering go carts, mini golf, an indoor roller coaster, laser tag, and a wide selection of games. The facility also has a 700-capactiy seating restaurant, which is the largest seating capacity restaurant in Kent County.
Receiving the Manufacturer of the Year Award was Weller Truck Parks, 1500 Gezon Parkway SW, Wyoming. Weller Truck Parks is a re-manufacturer of heavy- and medium-duty drive tran components for the transportation industry. The company has been based in Wyoming since the 1970s and now has 36 locations distributing its products and employs around 1,000 people.
Receiving the Linda Harbor Service Business of the Year Award went to ServPro of South and Northwest Grand Rapids, which is based in Jenison. As sales rep Mike Nix puts it “Typically if you are calling us you are not having a very good day but we are here to make sure things are done right and on the first time.” ServPro of South and Northwest Grand Rapids is a full service restoration business. It offers fire and water cleanup, mold remediation, biohazard cleanup up as well as construction site services.
Volunteer of the Year Award went to Blue Frost IT. Owners Allen and Ashlynne Gilbert, said when they formed their IT company, they made the commitment to give back to their company and they wanted to see firsthand what their support was doing for the community they serve, often working hand-in-hand with the charitable organizations. Blue Frost IT has worked with UCOM and Family Network of Wyoming as well as served as ambassadors and on the foundation board for the Chamber.
This year’s Committee of the Year Award went to the Government Matters group. At the beginning of each month, the Government Mattes Committee brings together local government officials who discuss things taking place in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, on the state level and nationally as well.
