Bishop, Mulero-Betances Named Man, Woman Of YearWINONA LAKE – This year’s Woman and Man of the Year were recognized for being strong advocates for the causes they believe in and for the passion they have for the community.
At the annual Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner Thursday, the Woman of the Year prize was given to Marlene Mulero-Betances, and the Man of the Year went to Bob Bishop. Both recipients were surprised at the honors, which are sponsored by the Times-Union and 1st Source Bank.
After receiving his plaque, Bishop said, “You know this community is probably one of the greatest communities in the world to live in. ... My father once told me, he said, ‘Son, you will get out of your community what you put into it.’ I grew up with that.”
He thanked his wife, Waneta, for their 51 years together, and everyone at the dinner Thursday night.
Bishop is an advocate for agriculture in Kosciusko County.
Following a long family tradition, he began farming in 1972. His family has farmed in the county since 1833, and they also operate a trucking company.
Early in his career, Bishop worked as an elementary school teacher for 16 years before turning to farming full time.
He serves as president of Kosciusko County Farm Bureau and on the board of director of Grace College and Kosciusko County Community Foundation (KCCF). At KCCF, Bishop has served on the board since 2010 and volunteered on the scholarship, grant and Barn & Business Breakfast committees.
He also volunteers with Future Farmers of America, Kosciusko County Extension Office, Combined Community Services and various Leesburg service clubs.
One nominator wrote Bishop and his wife “are generous givers to causes that are important to them, including feeding the hungry and agricultural education. They are proud supporters of a program called No Child Should Go Hungry in a Farming Community, in which they donate crops for children and families to food banks serving our community and encourage others to do so.”
Bob and Waneta established two endowments at the KCCF – one to support local farmers who want to go through the AgriInstitute’s ag leadership program and another that allows them to advise grants for charitable projects that align with their farming values.
The Woman of the Year’s strong commitment is to the county’s diversity.
In accepting her award, Mulero-Betances said she “really couldn’t believe” it was her when her name was announced.
“My husband and I moved here 20 years ago and this community has been amazing. I’ve lived here longer than I lived in New York and this is home. So thank you,” she said, adding that she sincerely appreciated the honor.
She was born in New York City but lives in Warsaw with her family.
Mulero-Betances is on the board of directors of the KCCF, a member of the Grace College Center for Career Connections Advisory Council and a member of the OrthoWorx Diversity Committee.
At OrthoWorx, she was a We Inspire, Support, Empower Inc. (WISE) founding board member and adviser.
She was a founding member and co-chair for the DePuy Synthes Warsaw Hispanic Organization of Leadership and Achievement and Women’s Leadership Initiative chapters.
She is a board chair for the Juntos Coalition and serves on the ONE Warsaw board of directors.
Mulero-Betances is also president and CEO of EnPak LLC, a company she founded in 2011. She worked in the orthopedic industry for more than 21 years – 19 at Johnson & Johnson.
One nominator wrote, “As a woman in the business community, few have inspired me as much as this woman to not only develop professionally, but also philanthropically and with a civic heart. In the orthopedic industry, she was driven by her own determination and passion to build a solution to a problem.”
Another nominator wrote, “She wants every citizen to know she’s leading with a heart full of compassion and inclusion as she works to make all individuals from all walks of life feel welcome and at home here in the community. Her passion for innovation, business and initiative is only matched by her passion for people, education, community and, of course, family.”
Mulero-Betances received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University and a master’s degree in quality and regulatory affairs from Temple University.
The Man and Woman of the Year awards concluded the 107th annual Chamber Awards Dinner at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center on the Grace College campus in Winona Lake.
Other awards included Ambassador of the Year, Doug Haines, 1st Federal Savings Bank; Young Adult Professional of the Year, Lyle Schrock, The Lab; Government Excellence, Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer; Health & Wellness in the Workforce, Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice; Rising Star, Ignite Orthopedics; Environment & Sustainability, Advanced Solar Distributor LLC; Making a Difference, Kosciusko County Community Foundation; and Business of the Year, Brian Peterson Real Estate Group. Photos of the winners are on page 5A of today’s newspaper.
Keynote speaker was Daryle Doden, CEO of Ambassador Enterprises. He spoke about how the community connects people to one another and how a community is built on trust. He encouraged those present to continue to be the light to other communities. He was introduced by David Findlay, Lake City Bank.
Chamber President and CEO Rob Parker gave the welcoming remarks. He spoke about the Early Learning Coalition, which is working on a strategic plan to address the low availability of quality child care in the county; the Latino Business Initiative; and the Chamber’s Health and Wellness Committee, which worked to help get the county named a healthy community.
He also announced the Chamber staff was honored to receive three Communications Excellence Awards from the Indiana Chamber Executives Association this year. They were awarded for the Chamber’s 2017 annual report, video marketing campaign and its new website.
He also announced the Chamber, along with the Warsaw Community Development Corp., will host the mayor’s state of the city address March 12 at 2517.
Craig Snow, Chamber board president for the past year, recognized the retiring board members, including Gina Clevenger, Greg Cobb, Caleb France, Scott Gabriel and Kelsi Griffith.
Joining the board for a term of three years are Brian Peterson, Tarina Agler, Rebecca Woodward, Zach Tucker, Vince Turner and Jeffrey Rockett.
The executive committee will include Lisa O’Neill, chairman of the board; Doug Baumgardner, chair-elect; Robyn Palmer, treasurer; and Craig Snow, immediate past chair.
