2019 Celebrate Business Award Winners

Each year, the Chamber holds the Celebrate Business Awards to celebrate those that go above and beyond. The following eight winners were recognized at the awards ceremony on August 30.

BURNHAM YATES CITIZENSHIP AWARD — JoAnn Martin

Ameritas Chair JoAnn Martin is a Plainview, NE native with business degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Colorado State University. JoAnn joined Ameritas in 1984. She was inducted into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame in 2015, named a Nebraska Alumni Association Master in 2014 and inducted into the UNL School of Accountancy Hall of Fame in 2004. She’s been recognized by the Nebraska Society of CPAs and the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development for her leadership and commitment to community service.

ROGER T. LARSON COMMUNITY BUILDER AWARD — Chris Beutler

Chris Beutler was elected mayor in May 2007, re-elected in May 2011, and for a third term in May 2015. He is a native Nebraskan who has devoted the majority of his life to serving the City of Lincoln and the people of Nebraska. He has been a champion for the environment and the Lincoln Haymarket Arena development.

CORNERSTONE AWARD — Crete Carrier Corporation

Crete Carrier Corporation, along with Shaffer Trucking and Hunt Transportation, proudly serve the best companies in the world with their nationwide transportation and logistics services. They have over 6,200 associates spread across 48 states with 20 operating and maintenance facilities. Crete Carrier was founded in 1966 in Crete and relocated to Lincoln in 1972.

TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AWARD — Lincoln Children’s Zoo

Founded in 1959, The Lincoln Children’s Zoo is rated among the nation’s best zoos for children by Parent Magazine. It is the third most attended arts and cultural attraction in Nebraska and one of the fastest growing zoos in the nation.

ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT AWARD — MatMaCorp

MatMaCorp develops affordable, easy to use devices and systems for science, agriculture and medicine. The first set of products developed by MatMaCorp are geared towards making molecular biology diagnostic techniques accessible to anyone, anywhere and at any time. MatMaCorp has called Lincoln home since 2014 and employs a team of 30 engineers, scientists and administrative staff.

GREEN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD — Arbor Day Foundation

Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees with more than one million members, supporters and partners. From their headquarters in Lincoln, they are in their fifth decade of inspiring people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees with more than 300 million trees planted and distributed.

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD — Changing Spaces SRS

Changing Spaces SRS is proud to be the premiere senior move management company in Lincoln. Since 2008, they have specialized in rightsizing and relocation services for seniors. They offer a full range of services designed to give clients peace of mind and caring assistance as they pursue a new home environment that better suits their needs.

MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR AWARD — Garner Industries

Garner Industries is a diversified manufacturing company with a 66-year history as part of the Lincoln business community. In the early 1960’s, the company developed an automated grain bin level monitoring system, which evolved into the BinMaster line of level control technologies. Today, Garner Industries employs more than 140 people in its manufacturing operations, owning a 115,000-square-foot facility at the corner of 98th Street and Cornhusker Highway.