(Photo by Robert Herrington)
Westfield Chamber honors businesses, volunteers with annual Lantern Awards
To celebrate a year of successes, economic growth and community impact, the Westfield Chamber of Commerce is honoring the work of numerous businesses and citizens that make the city a special place to live and work. This year’s Lantern Awards recipients include:
Business of the Year (Lantern Award) – Henke Development Group, LLC
Henke Development Group has become synonymous with major construction taking place in Westfield with Grand Park Sports Complex, Grand Park Village and its newest residential and golf course community, The Club at Chatham Hills. The family-owned business was formed in 2008 by Steve Henke and Betsy Garfield (formerly Henke) and was later joined by Brad Henke upon his graduation from Indiana University in 2010. “For us, we are really excited and proud to be selected,” Garfield said. “Henke Development Group has had a long standing history working in and around the Westfield area and has developed a true passion for helping this community grow.”
Henke Development Group is a full service, boutique real estate development, investment and advisory firm. The business recently finished its four-year project of Grand Park and this fall will being construction on Grand Park Village. Garfield said the lake, which is being made, will be the anchor.
“We starting to hear from retail, hotels and restaurants,” Garfield said. “People are really starting to take notice of Grand Park and Westfield.”
“Henke Development recognizes the unique partnerships that are formed in the private and public sectors, across numerous businesses, between community organizations, individuals, schools, parks and all residents of this great city which form a community that values its past and strives to create a visionary future,” Garfield said.
Westfield Business Luminary Award – Montgomery Aviation, Inc.
Operated by Dan and Andi Montgomery, Montgomery Aviation, Inc. is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The business started as the maintenance provider at Terry Airport, and became the full service Fixed Base Operator at Indianapolis Executive Airport in 2000. It has since added flight schools to the airport.
Since 2000, Montgomery Aviation has expanded its facilities to include, two 36,000-square-foot hangars, Central Indiana’s only covered ramp, an executive jet center with corporate offices, conference rooms, pilot lounges and flight planning centers.
“Our staff is the reason Montgomery Aviation is doing good. (We) could not do this without them,” Andi said.
Andi said her family has always liked Westfield.
“We want to be a part of a progressive, thoughtful community that understands airports bring economic development and are a gateway to our community,” she stated.
New Westfield Business Spark Award – Grand Junction Brewing Co.
Things have been brewing in downtown Westfield for a while but it literally began to boil earlier this spring when Grand Junction Brewing Co. opened. Co-owners Jon P. Knight of Westfield and Charlie Wood of Fishers renovated 110 S. Union St. from the former Keltie’s restaurant into the city’s first brewery.
“Things are going very well,” Knight said.
The naming of Grand Junction Brewing is a nod to Westfield’s history and future. Knight said the railroad-themed name is derived from the city’s connection point of the Monon and Midland railroads and the rich Quaker history of establishing Westfield.
“We’re ecstatic to get the recognition from the chamber. It provides us with validation that the 16 months of planning that went into this has been a success,” Knight said. “We wanted to be at the forefront of the rebirth and revitalization of downtown Westfield.”
Grand Junction Brewing has seven barrels that hold 31 gallons each or 217 gallons combined. Wood said approximately 1,700 pints can be held in one tank. Knight said the pub offers eight beers on taps and after the five foundations that leaves three guest taps which are rotated amongst local breweries. Grand Junction Brewing also offers growlers for takeout.
As the brewery looks to the future, Knight said it will begin distribution to being served in other bars and restaurants in 30 to 60 days. The public also will be able to purchase 5 gallon and 15.5 gallon kegs of Grand Junction Brewing beer.
Community Organization of the Year (Globe Award) – Student Impact
Student Impact of Westfield will celebrate its 15th anniversary on Sept. 17. The organization was started in 1999 by Dan Ventling, and Danyele Easterhaus became the executive director in June 2011.
“A door-to-door survey was conducted in 1999 to determine what Westfield’s No. 1 need was. Ninety-eight percent of the persons surveyed answered, ‘Something to do for our youth,’” Easterhaus said.
Easterhaus said the organization is not a club, youth group or associated with any church.
“People don’t join or have to come every week. It’s just a place where a student can come,” she said. “Our motto is safe and consistent. It’s always the same people there and same things going on.”
The independent 501c3 offers programming support after school for students in fifth through 12th grade. Intermediate students meet Wednesdays at the school and older students meet twice a week at 536 N. Union St. Easterhaus said Student Impact provides a pancake breakfast every Wednesday morning for high school students with a time for devotion and discussing social issues. In addition to the after-school programming, Student Impact has recreational sports leagues for basketball, volleyball and dodgeball.
Easterhaus was in attendance with Jon Hogge, director of programming and sports, and three students in the organization when they were announced as winners.
“In my mind I had thought, ‘It would be really cool to be up for that one day,’” she said. “I just start clapping and looked over at Jon and he looked at me and realized that was us … We worked for years with the city and community. Having this recognition means they’ve seen our kids.”
Citizen of the Year (Beacon Award) – Dave Read
Since Read is not a member of the Westfield Chamber of Commerce, he said he was surprised to receive the call but at the same time honored that they would consider someone outside their organization for this award.
“There are so many people doing good things to better Westfield I am sincerely appreciative of this award,” he said.
Read moved to Westfield in 2006 from Chicago. Before he retired two years ago, Read worked for 34 years at Heriff Jones in its education division.
“For the first few years living in Bridgewater my wife and I were not that involved in the community,” Read said. “But we knew that to understand and appreciate the people of our community we needed to get involved. When I retired I told my wife I wanted to make a difference by working on projects through organizations I could be passionate about.”
In his free time, Reed is a board member of the Westfield Youth Assistance Program and mentors a Westfield High School sophomore; and serves on various advisory boards within Bridgewater. He also was Westfield Rotarian of the Year in 2014 and serves as the organization’s president-elect for the 2015-16 year.
“Getting involved in my local community gave me a chance to make a difference one person or one project at a time and helped me to feel that I belonged to something special,” he said. “There are many diverse and talented people in all walks of life that are helping to better Westfield and getting involved gave me the opportunity to meet and learn from all of them.”
Volunteer of the Year (Wick Award) – Joannie Kinnaman
Kinnaman has been participating with the Trinity Free Clinic since its inception in 2000.
“We began the clinic as an acute medical outreach and added dental services in April 2003 as we recognized the unmet dental needs of Hamilton County,” she said. “I have served as the director of dental operations since that time.”
Kinnaman and her husband, Brian, moved from their starter home in Broad Ripple to Westfield with their two oldest children in April 1992. The couple said they were drawn by the strong school system and the family-friendly, small-town feel of Westfield.
“We were looking for a safe, vibrant community in which to raise our children and invest our time. We have not been disappointed,” Kinnaman said.
While she is very humbled, Kinnamansaid she will accept this award on behalf of the Trinity Free Clinic and its volunteers.
“I am grateful for this opportunity to increase awareness of the clinic in order to reach those who may need our help and those who may be looking for a place to serve,” she said. “I have had the incredible fortune to experience the gratitude of many men, women and children whose needs were met by the Trinity Free Clinic. I have also been utterly amazed by the generosity of the volunteer professionals who offer their gifts to make our community happier and healthier.”
