KEARNEY — Numerous awards were presented to community and business leaders during the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce’s 105th Annual Meeting on Monday, Feb. 5.
“Our theme for the year 2024 is ‘Building Together, Constructing Success,’ a sentiment that encapsulates our shared vision for the growth and prosperity of our business community,” Kearney Chamber 2024 board chair Stacy Bivona stated.
U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts welcomed the crowd of around 600 to the event. The keynote speaker was Eric Crouch, former University of Nebraska quarterback and 2001 Heisman Trophy winner.
The 2023 Friend of Kearney Award was presented to David and Ann Bauer.
In the announcement it was said that David’s work at the University of Nebraska at Kearney as a director of choral activities is without peer and his contributions to collegiate and youth wrestling has been just as important.
The couple has served on numerous committees and boards, including the Crane River Theater and Kearney Concert Association. They founded the Platte River Singers and the Platte River Children’s Chorus.
The Youth Friend of Kearney was presented to Adan Ciprian who has represented Kearney High FCCLA and Nebraska FCCLA at local, state and national levels. In 2023, he attended the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Denver.
The Leadership Kearney Distinguished Alumni was presented to Tim Higgins.
Higgins in his nearly 20 years of service has served twice on the Kearney board of education. After retiring, he became a para-educator and then was elected to the Buffalo County Board of Commissioners.
Higgins serves as the county’s voting member on the Kearney Visitors Bureau Board of Directors. He has also severed on the Kearney chamber’s board and was chairman in 2003.
The Small Business of the Year was presented to Smallcakes of Kearney.
“We have two locations in Nebraska, both family owned. Papillion opened in June of 2014 and Kearney opened in August 2015. We specialize in a variety of sweet treats including cupcakes, custom cakes, cake pops and so much more,” according to Smallcakes website.
The Outstanding Business of the Year was presented to Younes Hospitality.
“Younes Hospitality operates 14 hotels in Kearney, Columbus, Norfolk, Hastings, and Grand Island, Nebraska,” per their website, “In addition, Younes Hospitality owns and operates three of the largest conference centers between Omaha and Denver.”
Businesses nominated for this award must meet certain criteria including two years of chamber membership and three years in business, show growth in sales, service and/or growth in number of individuals served and expanded programs or services, etc.
The New Business of the Year was presented to Tommy’s Express Carwash, which was built at 3802 N. Second Ave., the former site of the Platte Valley State Bank.
The Kearney car wash is Ben Conover and Matt Preister’s fourth Tommy’s Express venture. They also own franchises in Norfolk, Columbus and Grand Island site.
The Young Professional of the Year was presented to Alyse Pflanz.
Pflanz is the “Director of the Center for Economic Education, which promotes economic and financial literacy in Nebraska, wants K-12 students to learn to be financially savvy to make wise economic decisions. A former 7-12 Business and Technology Instructor for 4 years, she is also the coordinator of the Business Teacher Education program,” according to the University of Nebraska – Kearney.