Hy-Vee named Large Business of Year
Published 10:41 am Friday, October 28, 2016
- Albert Lea Hy-Vee Store Director Peter Streit speaks after finding out Hy-Vee was named Large Business of the Year Thursday at the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce annual banquet. - Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
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- Jon Murray congratulates Brenda Reed as Ambassador of the Year Thursday at the annual Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce banquet. Photo courtesy Dan Borland
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- Stephanie Haedt, right, congratulates Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams and Brenda Reed with The Children’s Center with the silver level worksite wellness award Thursday at the annual chamber banquet. Photo courtesy Dan Borland
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- Stephanie Haedt congratulates Robyn Joel with Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services for a gold level worksite wellness award. Photo courtesy Dan Borland
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- Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce incoming board Chairwoman Catherine Buboltz congratulates Stephanie Haedt as Volunteer of the Year Thursday at the annual chamber banquet. Photo courtesy Dan Borland
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- Culligan was named the Small Business of the Year on Thursday at the annual chamber banquet. Photo courtesy Dan Borland
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- Paul Schuster with Vern Eide Chevrolet speaks after the business was awarded Medium Business of the Year at the annual Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce banquet. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
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- Perry Vining, right, was given the Lifetime Membership Award at the annual chamber banquet. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
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- Jon Werger, left, with Healthways recognized many at the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce banquet for helping Albert Lea be certified as a Blue Zones Community. Pictured with Werger are Randy Kehr, Ellen Kehr, Vern Rasmussen and Chad Adams. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
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- Albert Lea Hy-Vee Store Director Peter Streit speaks after finding out Hy-Vee was named Large Business of the Year Thursday at the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce annual banquet. – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
Culligan, Vern eide Chevrolet also get top honors
Albert Lea’s Hy-Vee was named the Large Business of the Year Thursday at the annual Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce membership celebration at Wedgewood Cove.
Hy-Vee was awarded for donating its time and resources to local causes, such as to the Albert Lea dog park, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Committee, figure skating and to other causes, said Randy Kehr, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce.
Of the store’s more than 250 employees, 32 employees have at least 15 years of experience, Kehr said; 15 have 10 to 14 years of employment, and 30 have five to nine years of employment.
“They take care of their employees,” Kehr said.
Albert Lea Hy-Vee was named the Champion of the Outstanding Local Business category in September for the Special Olympics.
Named as Medium Business of the Year was Vern Eide Chevrolet.
Kehr said the dealership has almost tripled its number of employees since it opened in 2011 in Albert Lea.
“They are very committed to the community,” he said, noting the business has been an annual sponsor of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours.
The dealership also partners with the chamber on the annual recognition of the Albert Lea Teacher of the Year Award and works with Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited.
Kehr said Vern Eide has a strong commitment to customer satisfaction and customer service.
Named as Small Business of the Year was Culligan.
Kehr said the business donates water to approximately 20 events per year.
“We are just very proud of what they do in terms of meeting the needs of the community,” he said.
Kehr noted his appreciation of the customer service of the company’s five employees.
Brenda Reed was named as Ambassador of the Year, and Perry Vining was awarded a Lifetime Member Award.
Stephanie Haedt was named Volunteer of the Year.
Worksite wellness awards were also presented, and Albert Lea Blue Zones Project leaders received special recognition for the city’s status as a Blue Zones certified community.
It was the chamber’s 136th annual meeting and membership celebration.
The speaker was Kristina Schoh, brand director of Courtesy Corporation-McDonald’s.
Kehr said businesses play a vital role in the community.
“The business community leads a lot of the community’s giving,” he said. “Those businesses support our community in ways that are not necessarily visible.”
