Six individuals and six businesses were honored Thursday night at the inaugural Spirit of Enterprise Hall of Fame banquet.
Honored were Revra DePuy and DePuy Inc.; Hobart and Russell Creighton and Creighton Brothers; Justin O. Zimmer and Zimmer Corp.; Howard Brembeck and CTB Inc.; Dane Miller and Biomet; and Donald Wentzel and Maple Leaf Farms.
The Kosciusko County Economic Development Corporation organized the event.
“This is to show that we believe in the old adage ‘what you celebrate, you get more of’’ so we came to this,” said KEDCo. Executive Director George Robertson.
The theme for the first class of the hall of fame was to recognize Kosciusko County’s top businesses in orthopedics and agriculture.
Robertson scoffed at skeptics who said such an event would lose steam after a couple years.
“We’ve got 10 years easy to fill this event so we’ll see you all next year,” said Robertson.
Dan Brown of Phend and Brown presented the award to Revra DePuy and DePuy. Bob Hastings accepted for DePuy’s founder and Tom Camino accepted on behalf of DePuy as a company.
Joe Kessie from Lake City Bank introduced Creighton Brothers. Eddie Creighton, son of founder Hobart Creighton, accepted on behalf of his father.
Other Creighton family members accepted on behalf of the company.
Jim Tinkey of Mutual Bank presented to Zimmer. Brad Bishop accepted on behalf of Justin O. Zimmer. Monica Kendrick accepted on behalf of the company.
“Warsaw is an important part of our history and important part of our future,” said Kendrick.
“This is a local success story in every sense of the word,” said Bishop of Zimmer.
Diane Thalmann of NIPSCO presented to Howard Brembeck and CTB.
Rich Geiser accepted on behalf of Howard Brembeck while CTB CEO Victor Mancinelli accepted on behalf of the company.
“Obviously we’re honored,” said Mancinelli. “On behalf of all people at CTB, past and present, we thank you.”
Mike Brill, Century Link, presented to Biomet. Bill Kolter accepted on behalf of the company.
“This is truly one of the great American success stories,” said Kolter of Biomet. “This is a great place to work. Without the support of this county, Biomet’s success wouldn’t be possible.”
David Floyd of OrthoWorx accepted on behalf of Dr. Dane Miller.
Miller was unable to attend Thursday night’s event.
“He continues to be one of my heroes,” said Floyd of Miller.
Carol Ousley from KREMC introduced Maple Leaf Farms. Maple Leaf Farms co-presidents Scott and John Tucker accepted on behalf of their grandfather and founder Don Wetzel. Terry and Sandra Tucker accepted on behalf of the company.
“We’re lucky to be in Kosciusko County,” said Terry Tucker. “Where agriculture is celebrated, and we hope that never changes.”
KEDCo. member Max Courtney, who served as an emcee for the event, closed out the night with a charge to those in attendance.
“We sell our county,” said Courtney. “We need you to sell our county. You can bet we’ve set a high bar to get into the hall of fame.”
John Boal gave the invocation for Thursday night’s event. Champagne Jam at 2517 catered and staffed the event.
