Pictured from left during the Ottawa Area Membership Appreciation Dinner at Ottawa VFW are Business of the Year recipients UIS Insurance & Investments Rob Fawcett, Adam Cupp, Gabby Molgaard, Cammie Flores and Deanna Averesch and Becky Fruchey, chamber director.
Jennifer Peryam | The Lima News
OTTAWA — UIS Insurance & Investments received the 2019 Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Tuesday.
The award was presented at Ottawa VFW during the Membership Appreciation Dinner attended by 100 Chamber members. The Big Kahuna, Fox 106.3, served as master of ceremonies.
“It was a great honor to be chosen as the large business award winner. We are blessed to live and work in a community such as Ottawa,” said Adam Cupp, UIS Insurance & Investments.
UIS has been in business for 95 years and stands out as a locally owned and operated regional insurance agency and is in the top 125 of privately owned independent insurance agencies in the United States.
They have over 100 employees with 16 offices located throughout Northwest and Central Ohio and Southern Michigan. They have also assembled a financial services team.
They support a large number of causes and organizations through UIS Cares. They strive to keep employees passionate about their civic duties by giving them the freedom to share their time and talent within the communities they serve.
The Leipsic Community Center received the Small Business of the Year Award.
Kristen Pickens, Leipsic Community Center director, said the business was honored to receive the award.
“To be recognized for all that we do to serve our community is extremely humbling, and we hope to continue serving our community for generations to come,” Pickens said.
This year’s Small Business of the Year has been in business for two years. Leipsic Community Center was nominated by Janelle Herrera. As Herrera writes, “The Leipsic Community Center operates solely to give back to the community. It is a selfless operation and is a blessing to those they serve. In the short time they’ve been open they have touched the lives of many people.”
With the help of donors and volunteers, they have numerous programs and daily activities, offer a free health clinic and host free community meals. They offer everything from cooking to art, tax preparation to Zumba, basketball and resume writing.
The 4 under 40 awards were presented by Becky Fruchey, Ottawa Area Chamber executive director, to Gillian Stechschulte, licensed architect and a principal partner with Technicon Design Group; Amber Mangas, founder and president of the Putnam County Foundation and real estate agent with HER Realtors; Greg Beckman, owner of Beckman Jewelers; and Chef Kelly Wolfe, executive chef and owner of Little Red Bakery.
Reach Jennifer Peryam at 567-242-0362.
