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Business Enterprise Awards
The Chamber chooses two Members each year as recipients of its
Business
Enterprise Awards; one business with 1 to 20 employees and one business with 21
or more employees. Awardees demonstrate a commitment to
the overall health and productivity of the Saline area, have staying power, give
customers the best possible service and/or product, follow ethical and fair
business practices, and contribute to the betterment of the community through
volunteer involvement. They are the best of the best in the Saline area.
Nominations for the 2009 Business Enterprise Awards were received from the
Saline Area community and selections were made by the Saline Area Chamber of
Commerce Chamber Board of Directors.
The 2009 honorees
are LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge Jeep and
Spotted Dog Winery. The Business Enterprise Awards
gala dinner was held on October 22nd at
Stonebridge Golf Club. The Chamber
extends its heartfelt congratulations to LaFontaine and Spotted Dog Winery on their
outstanding achievement and also thanks KeyBank for sponsoring this event.
Click here to register to attend the 2009 Business
Enterprise Awards event
2008 Business Enterprise Awards Honorees
 
(more- than-20-employees category)
The Phoenix Company / Phoenix
Contractors, Inc.,
located at 2111 Golfside Drive in Ypsilanti, is a
real estate development and
property management group and a
full service general
contracting firm specializing in commercial, institutional, renovation and
restoration work. Under the leadership of President William Kinley,
Phoenix has received several awards including "Best Contractor/Developer April
2001" by Insider Business Journal, "Private 100 Fastest Growing Companies" by
Corporate Detroit, "Land Use Award 2000, Murphy's Crossing" by Huron River
Watershed Council, "W. Nelson Vander Hyden Award 2000" by Washtenaw Contractors
Association, "Jim Hart Economic Development 2000 for Voluntary Leadership and
Commitment to Economic Development" by Washtenaw Development Council, and "Annies
Award 1997" from the Washtenaw Council for The Arts.
Bill Kinley's involvement in community
activities is extensive. He is currently a member of the Board of
Directors of the Washtenaw Development Council, the Ann Arbor Area Community
Foundation, the Ann Arbor Student Industry Program, and The Ark, and serves as
Chair of the Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority and the Riverside Arts
Center Foundation. Bill's previous involvement includes past Chair of the
Washtenaw Community College Foundation Board, Board member of the Ann Arbor Area
Board of Realtors, Board member of the Michigan Association of Realtors, Board
member of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, Chamber of Commerce Board member, and
sponsor of the Ann Arbor Summer Arts Festival "Top of the Park".
According to Saline Area Chamber of
Commerce Executive Director, Larry Osterling, "Bill has been and continues to be
a key player in the meaningful development of our downtown. Above that,
he's highly respeced by business associates, always well-received by others, and
he has an impeccable reputation for understanding the needs of local
communities. I can't think of anyone else or any other business in the
greater Saline market more deserving of this recognition".
(20-or-fewer-employees category)
Pineapple House, located at 101 E. Michigan Avenue in Saline,
is owned by Joy
Ely, started in 1983 as a partnership with her mother, Janet Swope. Joy
has college degrees in business management and interior design, winning design
awards at the state level and teaching at Eastern Michigan University. She
is a longtime resident of Saline, where she raised her family, and has been
active in the community for years. Current activities include Advisory
Board of Interior Design Department at EMU, Vice President of the Saline
Downtown Merchants Association, and Board member and former Chair of Saline
Business Development Authority. She was President of Saline Area Chamber
of Commerce in 1999.
The name "Pineapple House" comes from the pineapple fruit inference when, 200
years ago, ship captains would bring an exotic pineapple from their travels at
sea as a hospitality gift when invited to dinner. The pineapple has become
a nationally recognized American symbol for welcome and hospitality. The
focus of the business is to offer a beautiful shopping experience for customers
unlike anywhere else with merchandise that is elegant but practical, and great
ideas on everything from seasonal decorating to stylish ways to entertain at
home. Joy is known for her interior design talent, thrives on meeting
people, and rises to the challenge when customers need help redecorating an area
of the home or uncovering their own style. Pineapple House observed 25
years in business, all in Saline, in September 2008. The business is a
true family affair with mother Janet, husband Ron, daughter Brooke, and
son-in-law Dave frequently helping behind the scenes and at major events.
Joy's current pet project is the Downtown
Merchants Association. "I really want the group to grow, be successful,
and support other downtown businesses as it does." As well as serving as
Vice President, she is Co-Chair for the upcoming holiday festivities for
downtown, and donates time and merchandise to all their events.
Joy believes she has been asked to be on
many committees because, as a business owner, she brings three perspectives as
business owner, commercial property owner, and historian. Over the years
she has served on committees and boards from interior design, retail, and
community to proting school programs, and now at the county level for disabled
people like her daughter, Morgan. Joy and Ron were pioneers for the
inclusion programs in Saline Area Schools and their involvement has spanned 23
years.
Pineapple House donates merchandise to
almost every Saline church, organization, school, and cancer group that has
silent auctions or fundraising events, including sister cities Brecon, Wales and
Lindenberg, Germany. Rentschler Farm is a personal favorite of Joy and
Pineapple House has donated or sold at wholesale prices wallpaper, furniture,
antiques, and blinds to the farmhouse.
The future holds new adventures for
Pineapple House. A new website has been established with e-commerce and
newsletters to come. The newly created Fall Warehouse Sale and the
December Holiday Tea are popular signature events. Joy looks forward to
continuing to give back to the growth of Saline. "I have always wanted
Saline to be an important destination for visitors. I believe what you
offer of yourself and your time will come back and reward you in the future.
Saline has become more than my home...Pineapple house is my absolute
passion...and a great family keeps me sane."
Past Business Enterprise Award Recipients
Pineapple House and Phoenix Contractors, Inc. (2008)
Bemis Farms Preschool and JAC Products, Inc. (2007)
American Aqua, Inc. and Brecon Village/Evangelical Home-Saline
(2006)
Carol's Hallmark and Briarwood Ford (2005)
Pack & Mail Plus and Bridgewater Lumber Company (2004)
Quickprint, Inc. and Bank of Washtenaw (2003)
Rhoades Doehrer & Associates, PLLC and
Mac's Acadian Seafood Shack (2002)
Aero Corporation and Visteon Corporation (2001)
Garry M. Deo, O. D., K & F Electric Company and Saline Reporter (2000)
Tom Mac's Photography and Saline Community Hospital (1999)
Saline Picture Frame Co. and McNaughton & Gunn (1998)
Benny's Bakery and Busch's (1997)
Saline Flowerland and R & B Machine Tools (1996)
Saline Salutes
Each year the Chamber sponsors Saline Salutes, a special evening to honor
recipients of three prestigious awards: Citizen of the Year, Lifetime
Achievement, and George A. Anderson Vision. Nominations come from individuals in
the Saline Area School District and are chosen by a selection
committee comprised of community leaders and past recipients. Nominations for
the 2010 honorees will be accepted January 5th through March 1st.
Award Recipients must live, work, or volunteer in the Saline Area School District. Citizen of the Year is a person
chosen because they have contributed a significant
amount of time to the community in a volunteer capacity. Lifetime Achievement is
presented to someone in appreciation of their many years of service to the
community. The Vision Award is designated for someone who works or serves in a
volunteer or advisory capacity to a Saline area government entity. A
Youth of the Year award is also presented by the Saline Youth Council.
Click
here for a "Saline Salutes" Nomination Form & Selection Criteria
Click
here to register to attend the Saline Salutes event
Promote Your Organization! Click here
for information about Sponsorship of this major community event!
The 2010 "Saline Salutes" event will be held April 16th at Saline High School, and includes
a reception with entertainment,
a strolling buffet, and the awards program.
 
Saline Salutes 2008, with emcee Lucy Ann Lance
2009 Honorees
Margie Bovee - Citizen of the Year
Leslee Niethammer - Lifetime Achievement
Carla Scruggs - George A. Anderson Vision Award
Shehara Waas, Youth of the Year
Past Award Recipients
Citizen of the Year
Betsy Marl (2008)
Karen Ragland (2007)
Walt Byers (2006)
Scot Graden (2005)
David Rhoads (2004)
John Herrygers (2003)
Mary Laidlaw (2002)
Pat Everett (2001)
Bob and Pam Phillips (2000)
Bixby Project Group (1999)
Tom Kirvan (1998)
Susan Keezer (1997)
Cheryl Hoeft (1996)
Dorothy Vogel (1995)
Mary Ann Fogle (1994)
Jim Hill (1993)
Wayne Clements (1992)
Ken and Barb Sturms (1991)
Sandra Nadig (1990)
Lifetime Achievement
Taylor Jacobsen (2008)
Lyle Wahl (2007)
Phyllis Martin (2006)
Rena Girbach (2005)
Bob Kwiecinski (2004)
Peg & Johnny Long (2003)
Betty & Bob Redies and Saline Community Fair Volunteers (2002)
Tom Collins and Saline Community Hospital Auxiliary (2001)
Allan Grossman and Bernice (Woodie) Merchant (2000)
Meredith Bixby (1999)
Jo Steiner and Dale Rothfuss (1998)
Paul Tull and Margaret Chatterton (1997)
Bob McNaughton (1996)
Janet Desautels (1995)
Pat Roesch (1992)
Art Miller (1991)
George A. Anderson Vision
Scot Graden (2008)
Art Trapp (2007)
Mary Lirones (2006)
Saline Area Schools Historical Preservation Committee (2005)
Phyllis Martin (2004)
Howard & Kelven Braun (2003)
Craig Hoeft (2002)
Bill Lavery (2001)
Wayne Clements (2000)
Mary Hess (1999)
Rick Kuss (1998)
Pat Little (1997)
Gretchen Driskell (1996)
Herb Payne (1995)
David White (1994)
Youth of the Year
Andrew Schantz (2008)
Elizabeth Foley (2007)
Colin Roberts (2006)
Ann Chou
(2005)
Jennifer Harris
(2004)
Tyler Fuller
(2003)
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