Good Steward Consulting wins as small business

Thorne Crest Senior Living Community was named the Large Business of the Year Thursday at the annual Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce membership celebration at Wedgewood Cove.

Thorne Crest was named based on it being an active organization in the community, said Geri Jensen, Chamber of Commerce assistant executive director. Thorne Crest participates in the Blue Zones workplace wellness program, was one of the first campuses in the city to ban smoking and participates in the Freeborn County Stateline Safety Committee and Business Education Partnership.

Marketing employee Catherine Buboltz is Chamber of Commerce board chairwoman, serves on the Riverland Foundation and is on the Blue Zones board.

Good Steward Consulting was named Small Business of the Year. Mariah Lynne was described as a community-focused, passionate businesswoman by Jensen.

Lynne serves on the Chamber of Commerce’s Green Committee, Board of Directors for the Education Foundation of Albert Lea, and is president of the Experience Albert Lea and Destination Albert Lea boards.

Lynne is also working closely with Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Susie Petersen on the development of a “Tailgate to Minnesota” area promotion video for February’s Super Bowl in Minneapolis.

Val Kvale, coordinator of Workplace Development, was named Volunteer of the Year. She leads the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Education Committee.

Leah Lawrence was named Ambassador of the Year.

Medium Business of the Year and Lifetime Member awards were not presented this year.