Joel Labovitz Entrepreneurial Success Awards
20th Annual Joel Labovitz
Entrepreneurial Success Awards
Recipients Announced
The UMD Center for Economic Development (CED) announced the recipients of the 20 th Annual Joel Labovitz Entrepreneurial Success Awards during a luncheon at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center on April 25. UMD Chancellor Lendley "Lynn" Black welcomed attendees and Joel Labovitz provided opening remarks before a record crowd exceeding 375 business and community leaders.
Since 1993, the Joel Labovitz Entrepreneurial Success Awards have recognized small business owners who have dared to dream, taken risks and invested in the region. This year's award recipients, honored as part of Small Business Week, were selected from an impressive roster of 58 nominees from throughout the Twin Ports and Arrowhead Region.
"We were honored to have Mr. Labovitz as our featured speakers on the 20 th anniversary of this event he inspired," said UMD CED Director Elaine Hansen. "His story, as well as those of everyone who was nominated this year, provides great inspiration to encourage others to become entrepreneurs."
The 2012 recipients are:
• Micro-Entrepreneur : Lakeside Gourmet - Brenda Jones and Colleen Fletcher, International Falls
• Emerging Entrepreneur : Timberlake Lodge Hotel and Event Center - Mary F. Ives, Grand Rapids
• Established Entrepreneur : Duluth Grill - Jaima and Tom Hanson, Duluth
• Mature Entrepreneur : IDEA Drilling - Pam and Dick Backstrom, Virginia
• Innovation : IKONICS Corporation - Bill Ulland, CEO, Duluth
Additional Recognition awards presented:
- Entrepreneurial Acheivement: Rockie Kavajecz, Island Investments
- Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education: Ron Ulseth
- Visionary, Entrepreneurial Leadership: Donald Negley
Joining the UMD Center for Economic Development in sponsoring the event were Maurices, WestmorelandFlint, Flint Interactive, the Northland's News Center, Iron Range Resources, Greenfield Communications, Park State Bank, the Entrepreneur Fund, Pro Print, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Minnesota Small Business Development Centers Network.
Recipient Bios
MICRO-ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Lakeside Gourmet
Brenda Jones and Colleen Fletcher
Lakeside Gourmet owners Brenda Jones and Colleen Fletcher have grown their business from a side hobby - making jam as gifts for family and friends - to a profitable company that sells jam at more than 40 grocery stores. They offer five jam flavors, including one that won second place in the 2011 Minnesota State Fair relish competition, and are testing and developing many more.
EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Timberlake Lodge Hotel and Event Center
Mary F. Ives
Equipped with 84 rooms, an event center, a restaurant, and a water park, the Timberlake Lodge has become a center for business and recreation in the Grand Rapids area. With its continued growth and success, the lodging facility and its staff have brought economic and social opportunities to the entire community.
ESTABLISHED ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Duluth Grill
Jaima and Tom Hanson
A family restaurant focusing on natural, organic, and local food, the Duluth Grill has been nationally recognized for its nutritionally designed menu. The restaurant cultivates its own urban farm and continues to invest in sustainable business practices, including an aquaponics system powered by recycled restaurant oil.
MATURE ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
IDEA Drilling
Pam and Dick Backstrom
IDEA Drilling provides core drilling and surveying services for underground and surface-based projects for mineral exploration and mining companies. The business brought new technology to the taconite drilling market and completes projects in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and other southeastern and western states.
INNOVATION AWARD
IKONICS Corporation
Bill Ulland, CEO
An international leader in imaging technologies, IKONICS introduces products and process solutions for a diverse array of imaging markets. The company has developed game-changing technology, including its patented digital texturing technology (DTX), for industrial companies, including Boeing, General Motors, and Airbus.
Entrepreneurial Acheivement: Rockie Kavajecz, Island Investments
Rockie Kavajecz is the oldest son and president of operations for Island Investments, a family-owned business. Rockie's parents left the mining industry in 1963 to open two businesses - one for her and one for him. Nine years later they had the opportunity to take over their first motel and restaurant with a lot of help from a local banker. Thirty-five years and thirty-five businesses later, Rockie, along with family and other partners, is now developing the Canal Park Brewing Company. His current projects and investments, including the Canal Park Lodge and the Rock Ridge Development, represent over 200 jobs in this region right now - from Mt. Iron to Northern Wisconsin, and now with the City of Hibbing, Rockie Kavajecz has made a real difference in Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin.
Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education: Ron Ulseth
Ron Ulseth has had a vision for over twenty years, a vision that provides opportunity and encourages our young regional professionals to stay in the region and provides regional companies with the young human capital they need to grow and expand. Over the years, his experiments with new methodologies have built collaborations between partners and have been supported by members of industry and the Minnesota State College and University System.
Visionary, Entrepreneurial Leadership: Donald L. Negley
Don Negley has been an active part of every community he has lived in serving on many boards, two city councils and as the mayor of Babbitt. He has started several businesses, and following his wife's passion for helping others, they have created a business that provides residences, family support and personal care for people who have life challenges. Their business has a significant economic footprint in their community. Don's enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and mentoring has inspired others to take a risk, and to find the resources they need to be successful.