2003 award winners section

The 2003 winners: Back, l – r: Paul Covert, Dorian Lange, Wayne Williams, Doug Smith. Middle: Richard Rau, Steve Klaver, Bob Kramer, Robert Myers. Front: Patrick Gillespie, Bianca Glendinning. Not pictured: George Snyder, John Grettenberger Jr. and Carl Thelen.

Photo by Roger Boettcher

  On March 20, The Greater Lansing Business Monthly welcomed more than 225 members of the business community to the 9^th Annual Entrepreneurial Awards of Greater Lansing, a celebration of entrepreneurial spirit, risk, drive, leadership and success. After an elegant dinner at the Radisson Hotel, a warm welcome by Publisher Chris Holman and NewsCenter 6 Anchor Sheri Jones, and enthusiastic recognition of the sponsors, judges and past recipients, the evening culminated in the announcement of nine 2003 award winners.

Congratulations to following honorees, as listed by award category:

• Business Products: Steve Klaver, Doug Smith and George Snyder of DBI Business Interiors

• Construction: Patrick Gillespie of Gillespie Development

• Manufacturing: John Grettenberger Jr. and Carl Thelen of LorAnn Oils, Inc.

• Retail: Wayne Williams of Williams AutoWorld

• Service: Richard Rau of Hager Fox Heating & Air Conditioning

• Real Estate: Dorian Lange of Michigan Equities

• Turnaround: Paul Covert of Smart Office Systems

• Emerging Entrepreneur: Bianca Glendinning of Curves

• Corporate Leadership: Robert G. Kramer Sr. and Robert Myers of BioPort Corporation

The highest honor of the evening, Master Entrepreneur, went to Wayne Williams of Williams AutoWorld for his outstanding business growth, record sales and community service.

A panel of judges took on the difficult task of reviewing each nomination packet and selecting the winners at a confidential meeting just two days prior to the award ceremony. A special thanks goes to those who shared their time, effort and knowledge during this process:

• Stacy Adado, The Greater Lansing Business Monthly  

• Susan Backofen, Davenport University

• Bruce Dunn, Maner, Costerisan  & Ellis, PC

• Kenric Hall, Radisson Hotel Lansing

• Mark Hooper, Andrews, Hooper & Pavlik, PLC

• Rod Krol, Citadel Communications

• Kevin Neugent, G.E.E! Communications

• Doug Powers, WLNS NewsCenter 6

In addition, the 2003 awards would not have been a success without the support of the following sponsors: Andrews, Hooper & Pavlik, PLC; Davenport University; G.E.E! Communications; Maner, Costerisan & Ellis, PC; Michigan Equities; Radisson Hotel Lansing, Symbiosis International, WJIM News/Talk 1240 AM and WLNS NewsCenter 6.