Inaugural State of Dubois County Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Business and Individuals

Huntingburg - After an extended wait, the Dubois County Chamber of Commerce held its inaugural State of the Chamber Address, recognizing two individuals and an area business at the Huntingburg Event Center.

With 250 individuals in the audience, Dubois County Chamber of Commerce President Amy Gehlhausen said it's been well worth the wait.

"For us, this has been a long road coming, basically, this project started January of 2020," Gehlhausen said. "As everybody knows, two months later, everything's absolutely put on hold."

"For us to finally, two years later, be able to have this event really is very exciting to have this event as a chamber," Gehlhausen added.

In addition to celebrating the initial meeting free of mandates, and sharing the current state of the Dubois County Chamber of Commerce, awards were given in the categories of: Young Professional of the Year, Business Person of the Year, and Business of the Year.

Finalists for Young Professional of the Year included: Melanie Arehart, of WITZ/WQKZ/JUAN, Rachel Steckler, of the City of Huntingburg, and Jessica Lindauer, of the Dubois County Visitors Center.

Jessica Lindauer was named the inaugural Young Professional of the year. Lindauer explained what being the first winner of the award means to her.

"I'm just really honored, and happy, thankful for everybody that got behind me for it..." Lindauer said. "It's really a great moment of being here at the inaugural event and getting that award. It just means a lot, I'm so thankful."

Finalists for Business Person of the Year included:  Ruger Kerstiens, of Kerstiens Realty, Madison Niederberger, of Madi’s Main Squeeze, and Nick Stevens, of Old National Bank.

In hearing his name announced as Business Person of the Year, Ruger Kersteins says it meant a little extra to win in front of a room full of people he looked up to while growing up.

"Whenever I was walking up there, looking around and all of the other business owners and leaders in the community were here too," Kersteins said. "There was a lot of them that I've looked up to my entire life and it was a lot different standing up and seeing everybody."

"I'm very grateful to be in a community with so many great leaders that I can strive for, I think everybody pushes each other to do better."

German American Bank was named the 2022 Business of the Year. German American Bank Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman Mark Schroeder accepted the award on the company's behalf.

Mike Maddock, author of four books, including Free the Idea Monkey and Plan D: Dream, Design, and Deliver was the featured speaker for the event.