WEST BEND — The West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards dinner at the West Bend Insurance Company Prairie Center on Thursday night, during which it honored eight businesses and individuals who won awards from the chamber for 2025.
“Tonight we come together to celebrate businesses and individuals who have made significant contributions to our community,” said WBACC Chairperson Michelle Hockers. “Thank you, to all of you, for your contributions to the chamber this year.”
Before recognizing each award-winner, WBACC President and CEO Toni Gumina delivered the 2025 President’s Report detailing the chamber’s exploits over the past year.
“As Michelle mentioned earlier, it has been a year full of growth, connection and collaboration, and I would like to share just a few highlights from the past year that truly demonstrate the strength and dedication of our chamber community,” said Gumina.
In 2025, the WBACC had 52 new members join the chamber. This year, the chamber also had 22 area professionals graduate from the WBACC Leadership West Bend program, and 23 more began the program in September.
The WBACC held its third annual All Around the Bend Business Showcase, which grew to include 110 vendors and was visited by over 1,200 attendees. The chamber also partnered with the West Bend School
District for the first-ever All Around the Bend Business Bus Tour to help students explore different career paths.
The WBACC also held its 17th annual $1,000 Cache Bash, welcoming visitors from 28 states and seven countries, which was held during the flooding that hit the area in August. Despite the record flooding, the event went off without a hitch.
After the president’s report, Gumina brought West Bend City Administrator Jesse Thyes to the stage, who spoke about how the collaborations between West Bend businesses, organizations and individuals, many fostered by the chamber, make the city a special place to be.
“What really amazes me about being on board here in West Bend is the collaborations, is the partnerships. Because when you stop and think about it from a municipal standpoint, most of the time you think of the residents, … but just as important for our consideration as an operating municipality is you, the business community,” said Thyes. “You are residents of the city just the same, and it is incumbent upon us to continue the collaborations and partnerships on your behalf to help move us as a community forward.
“Because it isn’t just one sector of the community that makes West Bend special. It’s not just the schools, it’s not just the municipality, it’s not just the businesses, it’s not just the residents, it’s that culmination of everything that comes together that makes West Bend great.”
Following the Thyes’ speech, the WBACC honored its 2025 awards recipients, which included:
■ President’s Award: Attorney Michelle Hockers of Murphy & Prachthauser S.C.
“During her time as board chair, she has successfully guided two major initiatives that have already begun to have a positive impact on the organization,” said Gumina.
The first initiative focused on the chamber’s investment structure, the second focused on the Leadership West Bend program.
“I am honored to receive this award, thank you to Toni for selecting me,” said Hockers, “but please know that these endeavors represent far more than my own efforts. It’s a reflection of the team of individuals I’ve had the privilege to work alongside.
“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together to support the continued success of the chamber and the entire business community.”
■ Richard Klumb Ambassador of the Year: Barbara Justman of BJ & Company — Hair & Wig Salon
“Two years ago, the Richard Klumb Ambassador of the Year Award was established to honor Richard for his remarkable 47 years of service to the ambassador committee, and to ensure his legacy of dedication and kindness would continue to be celebrated for years to come,” said Gumina. “This year we are proud to present this award to someone who embodies that same enduring spirit of commitment to the ambassadors and to the chamber.”
“It’s quite an honor to follow in Richard’s footsteps. He was a great man and I admired him very much,” said Justman. “One little quick story about Richard. He came to all the functions where there was food, but he would be the last one to eat, because everybody would be gone and he would get leftovers to take home. … I just want to say he was a great man and I always admired him, and we miss him.”
■ Chamber Volunteer of the Year: Kirsten Coenen, Kohler Credit Union
“The Volunteer of the Year Award honors an individual who has made outstanding contributions of time, energy and heart to the West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce,” said Gumina. “This person is an incredible volunteer whose dedication, positivity and initiative make her an indispensable part of the chamber community.”
“Volunteering has become such a core part of my life, and I recognize that so many of you today also volunteer to support the city of West Bend and beyond, and to that I say thank you,” said Coenen. “Thank you for letting me be a part of this incredible community.”
■ New Chamber Member of the Year: Forte Bank
“Since joining, this member has made an immediate and outstanding contribution to our organization,” said Gumina. “From day one, they embraced the chamber’s mission to promote, advocate, connect and educate, and chose to invest in that mission as an annual sponsor. Beyond that, they have actively encouraged their employees to get involved.
“On behalf of our entire team, we just want to thank the West Bend Chamber of Commerce … for the warm welcome and unwavering support you’ve shown us since we opened our doors one year ago in West Bend,” said Forte Bank President and CEO Aaron Lensink. “Your partnership and engagement with us has been instrumental in helping us grow and serve this community.”
■ Non-Profit of the Year: St. Vincent de Paul Store
“For over 70 years, this organization has been a lifeline for families and individuals facing hardship,” said Gumina. “In the past year alone, they helped 5,230 neighbors with 2,522 home visits delivering food, rent and utility assistance, as well as clothing and furniture to families in need.”
“We’ve been able to put out assistance over the past year of $340,000,” said St. Vincent de Paul Store Washington County President Tom Schueller. “One of the core testaments of St. Vincent de Paul is the home visit. We meet … right in their home and discuss what they need. So, the general assistance of the $340,000 is for rent assistance, utility assistance and pretty much anything else that family might need.”
“We’re very proud of all the work we do,” said General Manager Gina Biertzer. “I want to thank all of our donors, supporters, staff members and everybody who walks into St. Vincent de Paul, because you truly are helping many people in our community.”
■ Community Impact Award: Mike Jentsch, City of West Bend Parks Recreation & Forestry
“The Community Impact Award honors an individual who improves residents’ quality of life, addresses community needs and champions positive change throughout West Bend,” said Gumina. “This year’s recipient exemplifies these qualities through integrity, creativity, a strong work ethic and his generous spirit.”
“Our successes that we see in our community, it’s not because of me as an individual, it’s because of me, our community and our team,” said Jentsch. “To me, to us, team is not a cliché, it’s not. It’s part of what we are, what we do. … For me, I’m very fortunate, our community is very fortunate, because we have an awesome team here in West Bend.”
■ Legacy of Excellence Award: West Bend Insurance Company
“They are a nationally respected insurer, while remaining a proud anchor in the city that bears their name,” said Gumina. “Their successes are reflected in enduring relationships and in their ongoing commitment to volunteerism, philanthropy and civic leadership.”
“I’m honored on behalf of West Bend (Insurance) to accept this award,” said West Bend Insurance Company Director of Talent Management Michelle Gonzales. “In my short six months I’ve been incredibly impressed with our organization in the amount of generosity that we have, and experience in volunteerism.”
■ Business of the Year: Serigraph Inc.
“For more than 70 years, this business has been a cornerstone of innovation, craftsmanship and community in West Bend,” said Gumina. “Beyond business achievements, they practice community-minded leadership. They are a longtime chamber member who not only supports the mission of the chamber, but also actively supports local organizations.”
“We’ve been a part of the community for over 75 years, and this recognition is especially meaningful, because, notably, we fell away from being so engaged in the community,” said Serigraph Chief Operating Officer — Specialty Graphics Ann Marie Lentz. “Our team has been very dedicated and focused to re-engage as the partners you all deserve to have.”