Mitsch Design and Meyer Najem shared the honor of being named Business of the Year at OneZone’s Dec. 13 awards luncheon at Ritz Charles. Business of the Year awards were given to recognize a small- to medium-sized business and a large business.
Awards were also presented for young professional of the year, new construction and renovation projects, environmental sustainability, volunteerism and lifetime achievement.
Business of the Year Awards
Business of the Year is presented to businesses based on their success in growth and stability, commitment to quality, creative and unique solutions to challenges, entrepreneurial spirit and overall contribution to the community.
The Business of the Year award for a small- to medium-sized business was presented to Mitsch Design. Since its founding in 1989 by Jeryl Mitsch, the firm has become a leader in architecture and interior design throughout the Midwest. With regional, national and international projects to its credit, the firm has offices in Carmel’s Indiana Design Center and Atlanta.
Meyer Najem was honored with the Business of the Year award for a large business. With their specialty in construction management, general contracting and design/build project delivery, they focus on drafting buildings that meet the highest industry standards of sustainability, safety and technology. In business for 30 years, the innovative company is incorporating new technology in all stages of a building’s life cycle.
Young Professional of the Year Award
The Young Professional of the Year Award recognizes a business person between the ages of 21 and 40 who has demonstrated leadership and passion for making a difference in his community based on leadership, mentorship, community involvement and entrepreneurship.
Dan O’Brien, Kucic Associates Realty, received the Young Professional of the Year award for his community commitments on the board of Hamilton County Habitat for Humanity and involvement with Edge Mentoring, The Scene and Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. He is co-chair of OneZone’s YP Committee and involved in RISE Young Professionals in Johnson and Southern Marion Counties.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to recipients in both Carmel and Fishers in recognition of a lifetime commitment to business in these communities.
The Harold Kaiser Lifetime Achievement Award, given to an individual from Carmel, was presented to Chuck Lazzara, President of Ritz Charles. During its 33 years, the company has received the Blue Chip Enterprise Initiative award and was named the chamber’s Business of the Year. His support of the community causes and events include the Carmel Clay Schools, Prevail, The Humane Society for Hamilton County, community arts organizations and chambers of commerce.
Ron and Michele Archer, former owners of recently-closed Archers Meat & Catering in Fishers, were presented the Lifetime Achievement Award for Fishers. When they opened the doors of their meat processing operation in 1968, Fishers was a town of only several thousand people. Since that time, the business grew and began a tradition of donating meat to Gleaner’s Food Bank, church food pantries and other not-for-profit organizations.
Look Awards – New Construction & Renovation
Nominees for Look Awards for new construction and for renovation, both in Carmel and Fishers, were judged on the quality of work, appropriateness of the construction to its surroundings and the contribution of the project to the overall look of the community.
- Look Award for New Construction – Carmel was presented to Liberty Fund, 11301 N. Meridian St., with a LEED-designed building set on eight acres and featuring a glass-clad library.
- Look Award for New Construction – Fishers was given to Braden Business Systems, 8700 North St., for their new Nickel Plate District building complete with balconies and an open-air rooftop terrace.
- Look Award for Renovation – Carmel was presented to Delta Faucet Company, 55 E. 111th St., which increased square-footage by 70 percent with modern architecture that compliments the existing structure.
- Look Award for Renovation – Fishers went to DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics, 9032 Technology Drive, for renovation of their original 24,000 square-foot building and the addition of 6,000 more.
Green Award
The Green Award recognizes an organization, company or association that is solving environmental challenges using innovative and green practices or by setting up creative partnerships to enhance the environment.
This year’s award was presented to The Bridges at Carmel Market District for their commitment to sustainability through materials, lighting, water, recycling, air quality and local sourcing. A farm-to-table garden serves their Table Restaurant and real-time solar displays are featured above the check-outs.
Most Valuable Volunteer Award
The Most Valuable Volunteer award was established to celebrate and recognize outstanding volunteer contributions by individuals who also work full time.
This year’s recipient is John DeLucia, Citizens State Bank. John is the founder of Pasta Bowl, a local food drive; is a Rise to the Challenge contributor for Giving Tuesday; and serves on the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Foundation Advisory Council and the HSE Schools Board. He developed an incentive program for donations that challenges local banks to support the local Mudsock Game.
About OneZone
OneZone, a Hamilton County chamber of commerce, serves the Central Indiana business community as a commerce connector, strong voice, significant presence and business advocate in an ever-changing marketplace. With OneZone, businesses get an organization that reaches across municipal boundaries – just the way business does – to deliver more impact and more opportunities more efficiently.
Photos provided