Arlington chamber honors members

Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce members gave a heartfelt standing ovation to Mike Silverman Thursday night as he came forward to accept the group's Lifetime Achievement Award.

"When they looked around for someone to give this to, they must have seen that I was the longest serving, oldest still living past president," he quipped.

In fact, he attended the annual installation and recognition dinner just six weeks after receiving a heart transplant. Other than for a meeting Tuesday at Village Bank & Trust in Arlington Heights, of which he is vice chairman, he had not left the house except for trips to his doctor.

"My family and I consider this a true miracle," he said of his new heart and recovery, "which wouldn't have happened without a lot of prayers, good wishes, and the hand of God."

The emotional response came at the beginning of an evening filled with awards, at the dinner held at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest, before approximately 275 guests.

Daily Herald Vice President Betsy Kmiecik addressed the crowd for the last time as their president. During her recap, she described the merger between the village's Downtown Business Association and the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce, as the year's biggest accomplishment.

Having said that, she presented her President's Award to a pair of local business people who helped make it happen: Matt Fink with People's Bank of Arlington Heights and Laurie Mitchell with the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre.

"It's clear the chamber is committed to downtown business and will continue to enhance the economic development of its members," Fink said.

Greg Geissenberger, of Express Personnel Service, accepted the gavel as the incoming president. While he conceded that "business is tough this year," with layoffs and turnover in personnel, he said involvement in the chamber can help.

"Employees want to work for companies that are involved in their communities," Geissenberger said, "and that can offer them opportunities to learn and grow."

Among the business award winners were Debora Whisler, public information director for the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, who was named Business Leader of the Year for her dedication to advancing the chamber and business community.

Visualedge Creative Services and its owner, Diana Ehrenfried, were named Business of the Year for its partnerships in marketing strategies.

Carol Lynn Siefert, a Realtor with Century 21 Langos & Christian in Mount Prospect, was named Volunteer of the Year for her service as chairwoman of the chamber's Professional Women's Council, while Fastsigns of Arlington Heights and owner David Becker were named the Emerging Business of the Year.