Hoffman Estates chamber honors excellence in business

Local businesses were honored Thursday night at the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce’s second annual Celebration of Excellence.

About 135 people attended the event at the Stonegate Conference and Banquet Centre. Village Trustee and 2012 chamber treasurer Karen Mills said everybody seemed to be having a really good time.

“It’s a good way to honor our members and the stars of our chamber,” she said.

Residents were invited to vote for their favorite nominees online, said Cheri Sisson, the chamber’s executive director. She said there was a total of about 700 votes.

Award winners included Chicago Marriott Northwest for Business of the Year; Schaumburg Township Public Library for Public Sector Partner of the Year; dentist Michael Lovda for Small Office/Home Office of the Year; financial adviser Becky Jahnke for Volunteer of the Year; and Hoffman Estates Community Bank for the President’s Award.

Hoffman Estates Community Bank President Georgeanna Mehr is the past chair of the chamber’s board directors and said the chamber has been a great advocate for businesses in Hoffman Estates.

“We opened our first branch in 2001, and the chamber was my door to getting familiar with the community and the businesses,” she said. “I’m just so pleased to be a part of it and support it.”