MARSHALL — The Marshall area business community was in the spotlight on Wednesday afternoon during the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting.

While part of the program focused on the Chamber’s activities over the past year, area businesspeople also honored area residents, businesses and organizations that have helped support the community.

The Chamber announced recipients of awards in six different categories, recognizing volunteers, nonprofits, hospitality professionals and more.

“We had a good year,” said Chamber President Brad Gruhot. In 2022 and 2023, the organization had an increase in income from dues and coupon books, he said. The Chamber also recruited 62 new members, and Chamber staff worked with workforce development initiatives in the area, Gruhot said. A total of 24 people graduated from the 2023 Marshall Leadership Academy program.

Gruhot presented six different awards to community members, starting with the Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year. Nominees for each award were voted on by Chamber members.

Eric Luther, manager of Tall Grass Liquor in Marshall, received the Volunteer of the Year award.

“This is someone that has been involved in the community for many years,” Gruhot said. Luther is a member of a number of nonprofit boards in the area community, and is a charter member of the Sunrise Rotary group in Marshall. One nomination said Luther also donates to causes in the community through change collection containers at the Tall Grass Liquor check-out lanes.

“He’s not afraid to fundraise, which is a key attribute to someone sitting on a board, and he’s a very positive person in general,” Gruhot said.

This year, the votes for the Chamber’s Rookie of the Year award came in as a tie, Gruhot said. Heather Rokeh, co-owner of the Graceful Marilyn quilt shop, and Aaron Mathiowetz, mortgage officer at Minnwest Bank, each received the award.

Rokeh “has been active in the community since I have known her,” Gruhot said. In addition to getting Graceful Marilyn up and running, she also volunteered for the Downtown Business Association.

Gruhot said Mathiowetz has also been active in the community since moving back into Marshall a couple years ago. Besides taking part in Chamber programs, Mathiowetz is a member of the Marshall Fire Department and the Milroy Yankees baseball team.

“It’s been fun seeing Aaron get so involved and meet so many new people,” Gruhot said.

Preston Stensrud, parks and recreation superintendent for the city of Marshall, received the Chamber’s All-Star of the Year award. Gruhot said Stensrud was nominated by a number of people for the work he does keeping the city looking nice, and for his work informing the public in the lead-up to the Aquatic Center vote on Nov. 7. Stensrud is also a member of the Marshall Fire Department and a board member of the Marshall Community Foundation.

“He is the epitome of what community means — pulling people together to gather, support and promote where we live, work and play,” Gruhot said.

The Marshall Sounds of Summer committee was named as the Chamber’s NonProfit of the Year. Gruhot said community members nominated Sounds of Summer for their work putting on free family events and entertainment each year. They were described as “A small but impactful group of people that put on a great weekend of activities.”

Shauna Bjorklund, owner of the Gambler in Marshall, was named Hospitality Professional of the Year. Gruhot said community members nominated Bjorklund for “top-notch” customer service, and having a welcoming atmosphere at her business.

North Star Mutual Insurance was named Business of the Year.

“This business has made a big commitment to Marshall, even though they don’t have a Marshall ZIP code,” Gruhot said. North Star Mutual Insurance made a $3 million investment in Southwest Minnesota State University’s school of business, renaming the school the North Star Mutual School of Business.

“North Star Mutual Insurance has had a significant impact on SMSU and our student population,” said Heather Rickgarn, chair of the business department at SMSU. “They have been proven collaborators to the North Star Mutual School of Business, embracing our students and creating meaningful connections along the way. We have been able to establish a North Star Scholars program, providing students with experiential learning opportunities along with scholarship benefits.”

Rickgarn said the School of Business is also hiring new faculty, updating classrooms and expanding its student collaboration lab.

Chamber Board

members recognized

At Wednesday’s meeting, Gruhot also recognized two outgoing Chamber Board members. Kevin Reese, of US Bank, and Pete Hellie, of North Star Mutual Insurance, had each served on the board for seven years, he said.

“We have a strong board,” with each member bringing different strengths to the group, Gruhot said. Reese and Hellie each made contributions with their skills and demeanor.