JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.comLeft to right, Greg and Chris Vanhauter of Elk Grove Village and Lisa Augustine chat during the Schaumburg Business Association gala and awards Saturday at the Renaissance Convention Center Hotel.
Dressed in zebra fur platform shoes and a three-piece woolen suit with custom-made bell bottom pants, Ben Olson was aiming for the “Best Dressed” award Saturday at the Toast of Schaumburg.
Olsen, president of 3 Monkeys & Ardvark Studios, instead walked away with the prestigious Brian H. Burke Business of the Year Award.
The Schaumburg Business Association presented awards to three local businesses at its annual celebration held at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center.
Olson, 33, said he was humbled his business was selected from among so many worthy contenders.
“It’s an honor to be nominated for something like this,” he said. “There’s a lot of people in here who have helped me grow.”
Olson’s 3MA Studios specializes in creative advertising and identity brand design for customers trying to attract print and online audiences.
He said the Toast of Schaumburg has helped many businesses like his own to make the connections necessary for growth in a difficult economy.
“It’s important that as a business community we take time to reinvest in the community as a whole,” Olson said. “The relationships that we make in here are going to make the difference moving down the road.”
The winner of this year’s SBA Volunteer of the Year Award was Katie Berganske, district manager of AmCheck, whose primary focus is working with new association members, said SBA Chairman Rich Augustine.
“She is the first point of contact with so many of our new members, and she just oozes exuberance about the SBA,” he said.
The SBA Leadership Award was given to Lisa Timbo, general manager of Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel.
“Lisa is one of the sharpest, most intuitive business people that I’ve come across,” Augustine said. “She works hard, very customer focused, very success oriented and has been a great partner for the SBA.”
Other award winners were Kari-Ann Ryan of Michael Ericksen P.C., Ambassador of the Year; Gary Glenn of Stitchmine Embroidery, Member of the Year; and Mary-Beth and Darryl Salor of Chick-fil-A, Rookie of the Year.
Lisa Timbo, left, General Manager of the Renaissance Convention Center Hotel, and winner of the leadership award, and Katie Berganske, winner of the volunteer of the year award, stand together during the Schaumburg Business Association gala and awards.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Kari-Ann Ryan of Schaumburg makes a selection for the diamond earring raffle with the assistance of volunteer Kathy Atwell of Schaumburg during the Schaumburg Business Association gala and awards Saturday at the Renaissance Convention Center Hotel.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Laura Suffi of Schaumburg and her husband, Reno, chat during the Schaumburg Business Association gala and awards Saturday at the Renaissance Convention Center Hotel.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Ray Horn, vice chairman of the Schaumburg Business Association, and his wife, Barbara, attend the SBA gala and awards Saturday at the Renaissance Convention Center Hotel.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Tony Tako of Schaumburg chats with Jan Augustine of Lake in the Hills during the Schaumburg Business Association gala and awards Saturday at the Renaissance Convention Center Hotel.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Cory Baldwin of Arlington Heights views silent auction items including Bears action photos during the Schaumburg Business Association gala and awards Saturday at the Renaissance Convention Center Hotel.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Mary Beth Saylor, center, whose husband is the franchise owner of the Schaumburg Chick-fil-A restaurant, and her daughter, Amanda, left, chat with Schaumburg Village Clerk Marilyn Karr during the Schaumburg Business Association gala and awards Saturday at the Renaissance Convention Center Hotel.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Left to right, Mayor Al Larson, Schaumburg Business Association President Kaili Harding and SBA Chairman of the Board Rich Augustine are shown during the SBA gala and awards Saturday at the Renaissance Convention Center Hotel.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com