Midway Chamber names annual award winners

The Midway Chamber of Commerce has named the 2015 recipients of its annual leadership awards. The awards were given out at its annual celebration event and recognized different businesses, non-profits, and individuals, who go above and beyond in their support of the chamber and the Midway community through the volunteering of their time, staff, and other resources.

The winners of this years awards are:

— American Engineering Testing (AET) received the award for large business of the year, sponsored by the Midway Lions Club. AET is an employee-owned corporation providing geotechnical, environmental, materials and forensics consulting and laboratory services to public and private sector clients in a broad spectrum of industries. AET has been a member of the Midway Chamber of Commerce for the past 14 years. AET was instrumental in taking the lead on implementing the now annual Economic Development Summit. They are members of the Sponsorship Circle at the Director’s level.

— Fenske Law Office received the award for the small business of the year, sponsored by the Roseville Visitors Association. Founded by Attorney Jeff Fenske, Fenske Law Office assists businesses with all of their legal needs, and individuals in the areas of estate planning and probate, real estate, and family law. Most recently, Fenske volunteered his time to assist and establish a Midway Chamber Foundation making it possible for the Chamber to expand its programming and offer additional benefits to membership.

— Episcopal Homes received the award for organization/non-profit of the year, sponsored by Mahoney Ulbrich Christiansen & Russ P.A. Episcopal Homes offers a continuum of senior living options and affordability. They have been welcoming people from all walks of life for 121 years. Episcopal Homes has been a Midway Chamber of Commerce member for the past 16 years and they participate in Economic Development meetings as an attendee, presenter and host. Throughout the years they have made amazing financial investments in the Midway area bringing growth and future possibilities.

— The Turf Club received the rookie of the year award, sponsored by the St. Paul Saints Baseball Club. The Turf Club is a bar, restaurant and music venue in St. Paul. It was originally a dance hall in the 1940s. Since the 1990s, the Turf Club has been a popular venue for national and international touring acts. In 2013, the owners of First Avenue purchased The Turf Club and gave it a substantial remodel.

The Turf Club has shown its commitment to the Midway area by investing in its building and business model. They have recently renovated the interior and are expanding their services by offering a full lunch menu. The Turf Club has openly embraced participating in the Midway Chamber of Commerce by joining and immediately coming on board as the presenting sponsor for the Midway Chamber Business Afterhours.

— Jamison Randall of Latuff Brothers Auto Body received the volunteer of the year award, sponsored by Davis Communications and Zipko Strategy. Randall is the consummate volunteer for the Midway Chamber of Commerce and is actively involved with Chamber activities. He is engaged as a Board member, Co-Chair of the Ambassador Committee and has been a major contributor to the success of our Lunch on the Line program.