Rolling Meadows Chamber award winners 'radiate excellence'

Winners of the 2015 Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce Circle of Success awards lived up to Thursday night's theme of "radiating excellence" as community, government and business leaders and organizations were celebrated for their contributions to the city.

For several honorees, Thursday night's awards, handed out at the Wyndham Garden hotel in Schaumburg, were because of the winners' efforts to turn around their businesses and better the community.

Clarice Gunther, general manager at the Atrium Corporate Center, which was named Business of the Year, said the award was the culmination of years of hard work.

When her company bought the center in 2011, it was only 58 percent occupied and had 900 employees, she said. The center is now 100 percent leased through 2018 and has 2,200 employees.

"It's been a project in the making for five years to get to this point," Gunther said.

McDonald's on Algonquin Road was also recognized for its recent transformation to a more modern building with the Community Enhancement of the Year award.

"I was just doing it because it was the right thing to do for the community and to give Rolling Meadows the restaurant it deserved," said franchise owner Tanya Lawrence. The original building was built in 1975 but reopened in October 2014 after only 107 days of rebuilding.

Desmond Clark, former tight end for the Chicago Bears, opened Thursday night's awards dinner with a motivational speech about finding success, keeping track of wins and going above and beyond.

Success doesn't happen all at once, he said.

"Daily tasks should reflect a progression toward your goals, one step at a time," Clark said.

Other winners included David Parulo of Meet Chicago Northwest for Business Leader of the Year, Laura Warren of Clearbrook for Chamber Volunteer of the Year, BMO Harris Bank for Community Outreach Award, Nanette Sowa of Northwest Special Recreation Area for Community Leader of the Year, and Joshua Avila of DUB VOX Studio Services for Communications Partner of the Year.

Rolling Meadows and Clearbrook were also recognized for celebrating their 60th anniversaries in 2015.