The Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce has announced that it has named several local businesses and individuals as award recipients.
Award recipients were announced during the chamber’s “Family Fall Fest,” held Saturday, Sept. 23, at local business Warm Belly Farm.
Award winners in each of the following categories were named: Tourism Counts, Small Business Person of the Year, and Friend of the Chamber.
Recipients and some information about each, as supplied by the chamber, follows.
Tourism Counts
According to information released by the chamber, the Tourism Counts award was given to Brian Huser, owner of Bait Box on the Rock.
The award recognizes a business that has been instrumental to increasing community tourism, according to the release.
Huser was recognized for attracting anglers and outdoor enthusiasts across the region to Fort Atkinson through his popular bait and tackle shop, the release noted.
The award was accepted on Huser’s behalf by his wife, Theresa, and members of his family, the release stated, adding that Huser was unable to attend the ceremonial event because he was organizing an inaugural fishing tournament event, dubbed “Fall Brawl.”
Small Business Person of the Year
As stated in the release, the Small Business Person of the Year award was presented to Brandon Felmlee of K&F Auto Sales and Service.
Felmlee was chosen for the award in recognition of his “growing” business, now, the release stated, in its seventh year.
According to the release, the business has grown from a two-person shop to one that employs more than 15 people.
Felmlee also was recognized for his innovative use of technology and his dedicated community involvement in both Fort Atkinson and Jefferson, the release noted.
Friend of the Chamber
According to the release, the Friend of the Chamber award was presented to Sherry Stelse of Mike Foerster Real Estate Group.
Stelse was honored for her many years of service to the chamber, including being an ambassador from 2014 to 2022. She has volunteered for countless chamber initiatives and events over the years, the release stated.
Within the release, the chamber noted several businesses for their support, including TDS Telecom, NextHome Success, and Jones Market for supporting the lively Family Fall Fest awards ceremony and festival at Warm Belly Farm.
Live music was hosted at the event and performed by Zack D, the release concluded.
Members of the family of Brian Huser, who is not pictured and was recently named the recipient of the Tourism Counts award by the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce, gather, along with Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shauna Wessely, at left, during a ceremony held Sept. 23. Huser’s wife, Theresa, is among members accepting the award on his behalf.
Small Business Person of the Year award recipient Brandon Felmlee, at left, receives a plaque from Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shauna Wessely. Felmlee was chosen to receive the recognition in honor of his growing business: K&F Auto Sales and Service.
Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shauna Wessely, at left, presents Sherry Stelse, of Mike Foerster Real Estate, with the Friend of the Chamber award. Stelse was honored, among other distinctions, for her years of service to the chamber, serving as an ambassador from 2014 to 2022.
Contributed photos.
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