Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - Several businesses and individuals received awards Wednesday night at the 2026 Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) Annual Celebration in Syracuse.
KEDCO CEO Peggy Simmons said, “The KEDCO Awards celebrate contributions made in many different ways. Some of tonight’s recipients are building businesses and creating career opportunities. Others are mentoring future leaders, developing innovative solutions or bringing people together to address important community needs. Although their work may look different, each recipient demonstrates what can happen when people care deeply about their work and the community they call home.”
Community Catalyst
Travis Christman, KEDCO Board president, and Suzie Light, KEDCO leadership partner, presented the Community Catalyst Award to Sherry Searles, director of LaunchPad.
The award honors an individual who recognizes a community need and brings people together to create meaningful, lasting change, Christman said. “This year’s recipient has become a leading voice for children, families, employers and early childhood educators throughout Kosciusko County.”
Light said the award is about more than a single project or a single moment.
“It honors someone who sees a need, brings people together and helps turn shared concerns into meaningful progress. This year’s recipient has done exactly that by championing an issue that touches families, employers, educators and the future of our community,” she said.
Since becoming LaunchPad’s director in 2018, Searles “has worked tirelessly to improve access to high-quality, affordable childcare for families across our county,” Light stated. “Under her leadership, LaunchPad helped add 500 childcare seats in its first five years while building partnerships among childcare providers, schools, employers, nonprofit organizations and community leaders. It is essential community infrastructure. Childcare is essential community infrastructure. Childcare is an important community infrastructure.”
Light said Searles understands childcare is more than a family issue, it allows parents to work, helps employers attract and retain employees and provides children with a strong foundation for the future.
“Her efforts have supported early childhood educators, strengthened local childcare programs and contributed to statewide conversations about early learning. Through her knowledge, persistence and passion, Sherry has transformed concern into collaboration and collaboration into progress,” Light stated.
Inspiring Mentor,
Community Impact
Frank Levinson, KEDCO Board vice chair, presented the KEDCO Inspiring Mentor Award to Trisha Musall and the Community Impact Award to Lewis Salvage.
The Inspiring Mentor Award celebrates an individual who “goes above and beyond to guide, support and uplift others throughout their personal and professional journey,” he said. “This year’s recipient demonstrates that mentoring is not simply something she does, it is part of who she is.”
As a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Musall “provides her Little with consistent encouragement, meaningful experiences and guidance. At Joe’s Kids, Trisha leads by example, mentoring young therapists and therapy aides with patience, compassion and excellence.”
He said Musall’s service also extends throughout the community. She volunteers at Calvary Chapel Lake City, is a past graduate of Kosciusko Leadership Academy and serves on the WE LEAD Board.
“Whether mentoring a child, coaching a co-worker, serving her church or strengthening our community, Trisha leads with humility and kindness and leaves every room better than she found it,” Levinson stated.
The Community Impact Award recognizes businesses, projects and leaders who make Kosciusko County a stronger, more vibrant community, he said.
“For nearly a century, the Lewis family has served northern Indiana’s recycling needs. Today, fourth-generation owner and CEO Cary Lewis is carrying the legacy forward through continued growth and innovation,” he said. “Lewis Salvage recently expanded beyond its Warsaw operation by acquiring Rochester Iron and Metal and opening a second location as Lewis Salvage Shred Services. The company has also become an important part of Kosciusko County’s orthopedic ecosystem by developing specialized processes to safely destroy and recycle unused orthopedic implants and their packaging. Through its commitment to innovation, environmental stewardship and service, Lewis Salvage is honoring its family roots while helping build a more sustainable future for our community.”
Innovator
The Innovator of the Year Award was presented by Christman to Kevin Stone, Orchard Medical Development.
The award honors an individual or business that turns ideas into action through vision, creativity, resilience and meaningful leadership.
“This year’s recipient demonstrates that innovation is not only about developing something new, it is about creating solutions that make a lasting difference,” Christman said.
Stone, he stated, “exemplifies innovation through impact. As a key contributor to the design and development of numerous orthopedic products, he plays a meaningful role in advancing solutions that improve patient outcomes while reinforcing Kosciusko County’s global leadership in orthopedic innovation. Through his work at Orchard Medical Development, Kevin combines technical expertise, practical problem-solving and collaborative leadership. He transforms complex challenges into actionable, data-driven solutions with maintaining a steady, team-first mindset.”
Christman stated Stone advances the industry not for recognition, but because outcomes matter.
Rising Leaders,
Business Impact
KEDCO Board members Jan Orban and Ryan Zimmerman presented the 2026 Rising Leader Awards, followed by the Business Impact Awards.
Zimmerman said the awards recognize individuals and businesses whose leadership, investment, service and innovation are helping Kosciusko County thrive.
Orban said one of the qualities that makes Kosciusko County special is the way the community supports and celebrates those who make a difference.
“The KEDCO Rising Leader Award recognizes professionals who demonstrate exceptional leadership in the workplace and throughout our community,” she said. “These individuals lead with initiative, inspire those around them and contribute to making Kosciusko County an even better place to live, work and thrive.”
Orban said KEDCO was thankful for the “incredible” individuals who were nominated for the honor.
The five recipients of the KEDCO Rising Leader Award are Alex Hall, Kosciusko County Community Foundation; Maribeth Nelson, Precision Medical Technologies; Tim Landrigan, Kosciusko REMC; Rusty Martinez, Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams; and Sam Engle, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts.
Three businesses received the Business Impact Award.
Zimmerman said the KEDCO Business Impact Award celebrates businesses in Kosciusko County that are helping drive growth and prosperity through investment, job creation, innovation and service to the community.
“Whether launching a new venture, expanding their operation or creating new opportunities for employees and customers, these businesses are making a lasting impact,” he stated.
The River Coffee, Brew City Roasting Company and Precision Medical Technology were the recipients of the award.
The River Coffee has expanded from one location to seven in a relatively short period of time, Zimmerman said. The growth included an investment of about $500,000 in equipment, the addition of drive-through service and the creation of new employment opportunities throughout the region. Today, he said The River Coffee employs a team of more than 70 people and continues to grow.
Brew City Roasting Company opened its doors to its Syracuse café five years ago. Originally founded as a wholesale roasting operation in Arizona in 2019, Brew City relocated to Syracuse in 2020 and opened its brick-and mortar location in June 2021, Zimmerman said. Since then, it has become a “valued gathering place where people can connect over small-batch coffee, house-made syrups and breads and pastries baked from scratch.”
Precision Medical Technologies recently invested about $500,000 in operations while welcoming 86 new employees to its team, he said. “This investment represents more than business expansion, it creates meaningful career opportunities, strengthens our local workforce and supports one of the industries that helps distinguish Kosciusko County,” Workman stated.
Keynote speaker for the night was Polywood CEO Brady Maller, who spoke about his journey from the production floor to being named the CEO in May.
Simmons also did a short “fireside chat” about “Why Kosciusko” with John Kennedy, president and CEO of Autocam Medical; Will Nicholas, Slate Auto, business development and government affairs; and Mindy Brooks, CTB Inc. director of corporate marketing.
