FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS
Congratulations to All Past Award Winners
Advancements in workforce development don’t happen without true excellence in action. For the past several decades, Michigan Works! has recognized its top leaders, partners, and advocates through its Challenge of Excellence awards. Our list of winners is now in the hundreds—and our state’s talent pipeline is stronger for their collective efforts.
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2023
Joseph Billig
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity2022
Ben Damerow
Michigan Works! Southwest/W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research2021
John Bierbusse
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!Luann Dunsford
Michigan Works! AssociationWilliam "Bill" Sleight
Michigan Works! Southeast2020
Janet Bloomfield
Michigan Works! AssociationEdythe Copeland
Capital Area Michigan Works!2019
Paul Griffith
Michigan Works! West Central2018
Ed Oberski
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!Craig Coney
GST Michigan Works!2017
Elaine Wood
Networks Northwest2016
Christine Quinn
WDA/SOMJohn Almstadt
Oakland County Michigan Works!Will Carne
UPWARD Talent Council2015
Gwen Worley
Eastern Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!2014
Marv Pichla
Thumbworks!, A Michigan Works Agency2013
Bob Straits
Kalamazoo - St. Joseph Michigan Works!Doug Stites
Capital Area Michigan Works!2012
Kurt Riles
Northeast Michigan Consortium2011
Beverly Drake
Area Community Services Employment and Training (ACSET) Council Michigan Works!Craig Schreuder
Kalamazoo - St. Joseph Michigan Works!Trenda Rushner
Washtenaw County Michigan Works!James Saari
Western Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!Paul Roy, Jr.
Muskegon/Oceana ConsortiumBud Shipstead
Northwest Michigan Council of GovernmentsVicki Enright
Department of Labor & Economic GrowthElaine Furu-Baker
Barry/Branch/Calhoun Michigan Works!Thomas Husband
Thomas Husband & AssociatesJack O’Reilly, Jr.
Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) Michigan Works!Raph Loeschner
Central Area Michigan Works! ConsortiumDennis Brieske
Saginaw Midland Bay Michigan Works!Robert Pendleton
Michigan Department of Career Development -
2023
Jakki Bungart-Bibb
Michigan Works! Southwest2022
Greg Pitoniak
SEMCA Michigan Works! CEO2020
Edythe "Edee" Copeland -
2023
MediLodge2022
Lyons Industries2021
Bronson Healthcare Group2020
DHT GroupInternational Building Products, Inc.
2019
Firekeepers Casino Hotel2018
Kalita Air, LLCSprings Window Fashions LLC
2017
Mercy Health2016
UAW-Ford Technical Training CenterPinecrest Medical Care Facility
2015
Meijer (Manistee, Cadillac, Acme locations)2014
Detroit Manufacturing Systems2013
Vantage Plastics2012
Toda America, Inc.2011
Kellogg CompanyMAHLE Engine Components
2010
Northern Wings Repair, Inc. -
2023
U.S. Senator Gary PetersState Senator Mary Cavanagh
State Representative Will Snyder
2022
Congresswoman Debbie DingellState Senator Mallory McMorrow
State Rep. Greg VanWoerkom
2021
Representative Beth Griffin2020
Representative Sarah Anthony2019
Senator Ken Horn2017
Senator Jim Stamas2016
Senator Tom Casperson2015
Representative Joel Johnson2014
Representative Andy Schor2011
Senator Bruce Caswell2010
Representative Joan BauerRepresentative Kate Segal
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2023
Abdul (Al) Haidous
SEMCA Michigan Works!
2022
Robert Showers
Clinton County Board of Commissioners
2021
Edith Suttles
Diversified Environmental Services
2020
Charlie Mahoney
Four-M Associates Communications Group / SEMCA Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board
2019
Chris Holman
Michigan Business Network
2018
Frank Lopez
Aztec Manufacturing Corporation
2017
Jane Doty
CAMW! Workforce Development Board / H&H Restaurants, Inc.
2016
Tom Begin
Consumers Energy
2015
Rob Neering
Roll Rite LLC
2014
David R. Adams
Northwest Michigan Workforce Development Board
2013
Jim Kettinger
Urban(e) Development Services
2012
Steve Pontbriand
System's Control
2011
Lisa Wiley Parker
Recruiter Uncensored
2010
David R. Adams
Northwest Michigan Council of Governments
2008
Randall Yagiela
Regional Solutions Center
2007
Mike King
WILX-TV 10 -
2023
Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren Workforce Development Board2018
Kinexus Board of Directors2017
Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board2016
Networks Northwest Workforce Development Board2015
Kent/Allegan/Barry Workforce Development Board2014
Michigan Works! the Job Force Board2013
Detroit Workforce Development Board2012
Capital Area Michigan Works!2011
South Central Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board2010
Michigan Works! Berrien Cass Van Buren Workforce Development Board -
2023
Amirika Richardson
Capital Area Michigan Works!Brandise Tyler
Detroit Employment Solutions CorporationMary Avila
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!Amanda Osborn
GST Michigan Works!Evylon Hubbard
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!Josh Cosner
Berrien, Cass, Van Buren Michigan Works!Jeanie Flory
Michigan Works! Northeast ConsortiumHeidi Keith
Northwest Michigan Works!Mona Diegel
Oakland County Michigan Works!Jean Hollenbeck
Michigan Works! Region 7BKathleen Newton
SEMCA Michigan Works!Maggie Flaherty
Michigan Works! SoutheastBarb Travis
Michigan Works! SouthwestStacey Ringler
Michigan Works! West CentralTonya Heikkinen
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!Linda Fonger
West Michigan Works!2022
Joe Winkiel
Capital Area Michigan Works!Emily Bergt
Detroit Employment Solutions CorporationSandy Gallagher
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!Sharis Reaves
GST Michigan Works!Mary Beth Bradford
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!Diane Young
Berrien, Cass, Van Buren Michigan Works!Edie Kerr
Michigan Works! Northeast ConsortiumBrenda Lake
Northwest Michigan Works!Jillian Geyman
Oakland County Michigan Works!Marty Roberts
Michigan Works! Region 7BMichelle Matney
SEMCA Michigan Works!Pam Gosla
Michigan Works! SoutheastStefanie Peters
Michigan Works! SouthwestVanessa Wolgamot
Michigan Works! West CentralMelinda Fleming
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!Eddie Solis
West Michigan Works!2021
Genell Dorty
Capital Area Michigan Works!Ayonda Grant
Detroit Employment Solutions CorporationSheril Tarrant
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!JulAnn Kuenzli
GST Michigan Works!Lori Hampton
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!Kelly Wilson
Berrien, Cass, Van Buren Michigan Works!Yolanda Romel
Michigan Works! Northeast ConsortiumPam Anderson
Northwest Michigan Works!Denise VanHee
Oakland County Michigan Works!Anna Hetherington
Michigan Works! Region 7BJustin Skibin
SEMCA Michigan Works!Stacy Reese
Michigan Works! SoutheastBlaine Farr
Michigan Works! SouthwestRenee Pickard
Michigan Works! West CentralRussell Utych
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!Wave Burns
West Michigan Works!2020
Elaine Eikenberry
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!Julie DeRose
Capital Area Michigan Works!Tania Diaz
Detroit Employment Solutions CorporationThomas Luck
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!Scott Beattie
GST Michigan Works!Roy Taylor
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!Karla Grady-Walker
Berrien, Cass, Van Buren Michigan Works!Alicia Wallace
Michigan Works! Northeast ConsortiumBrenda Lake
Northwest Michigan Works!Shanell Shelby
Oakland County Michigan Works!Vicky Stickler
Michigan Works! Region 7BIman Shami
SEMCA Michigan Works!Sunshine Plato
Michigan Works! SoutheastDawn Millar
Michigan Works! SouthwestDon Palmer
Michigan Works! West CentralKesha Sain
West Michigan Works!2019
Linda Webb
ACSET West Michigan Works!Teri Sand
Capital Area Michigan Works!Carla Phelps
Detroit Employment Solutions CorporationGeorge Wright
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!Wanda Bigelow
GST Michigan Works!John Babcock
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!Rick VanIttersum
Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van BurenJessie Trumble
Michigan Works! Northeast ConsortiumEd Baldwin
Michigan Works! SoutheastJennifer Kempnow
Michigan Works! SouthwestCassie Smith
Michigan Works! West CentralMary Szwed
Northwest Michigan Works!Mona DeFrancesco
Oakland County Michigan Works!Robert Balzer
Michigan Works! Region 7BPaulette Marshall
SEMCA Michigan Works!Amy Kraatz
UPward Talent Council Michigan Works!2018
Alayne Hansen
Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium2017
Lester Gayden
Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation2016
Devin Gray
Southgate Michigan Works!2015
Michelle Socha
Northwest Michigan Works!2014
Steve Finch
Northwest Michigan Works! Beaver Island Lighthouse School2013
Dianne Peterson
Michigan Works! Region 7B2012
Jill Carter
Ingham Intermediate School District2011
Beverly Silver
Detroit One-Stop Service Center - East2010
Sharron Elliot
South Central Michigan Works!2009
Gail Granville
Calhoun Intermediate School DistrictCathy Wilhm
Capital Area Michigan Works!Jerry Williams
Central Area Michigan Works! ConsortiumCerell Golden
Detroit Workforce Development Department, A Michigan Works! AgencyD. Raymond Cook
Eastern Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!Brittany Lenertz
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!Jo Ann Alexander
Michigan Works! The Job Force Board/Six County Employment AllianceCincy Sullivan
Kalamazoo-St. Joseph Michigan Works!Judy Buchholz
Livingston County Michigan Works!Catherine Pomaville
Macomb/St. Clair Workforce Development BoardSonya Barrett
Muskegon/Oceana ConsortiumTamara Ward
Northeast Michigan ConsortiumMary Rose Farrington
Northwest Michigan Council of GovernmentDorothy Kaltz
Oakland County Michigan Works!Judy Walters
Ottawa County Michigan Works!Teresa Sheltrown
Michigan Works! Region 7B Employment and Training ConsortiumAlvie Dungy
South Central Michigan Works!Lisa Kurtzhals & Lisa Wayne
Southwest Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) Michigan Works!
Employment Builders Alliance (EBA), ThumbWorks!, A Michigan Works! AgencyMarie Hall
Michigan Works! West Central
Western Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! Staff, Western Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! -
2020
Jennifer Llewellyn2019
Anisa Mazuca2018
Edyth Hatter-Williams2017
Stephanie Beckhorn2016
Jody Kerbyson2015
Jacob Maas2014
Ben Damerow2013
Orrin Bailey2012
Christine Quinn2011
Elaine Wood2010
Robert Straits2009
Stanley Stewart2008
Elane Furu-Baker2007
Doug Stites2006
Janet Howard2005
J.Michael Zelley2004
Will Carne2003
Juanita Pierman2002
Vicki Enright2001
William Stanek2000
Rich Wombach1999
Ralph Loeschner1998
Don Lesniowski1997
Steve Cleland1996
John Weimer1995
Bob Pendleton1994
Marvin Pichla1993
Lynwood Roe1992
Trenda Rusher1991
Paul Griffith1990
Kay Penner1989
Win Rowe1988
Bud Shipstead1987
Weldon Burden -
2020
Christine Quinn2017
Orrin Bailey
UPWARD Talent Council2016
John Almstadt
Oakland County Michigan Works!2015
John H. Bierbusse
Macomb/St. Clair Workforce Development Board2014
Elaine Wood
Northwest Michigan Council of Governments2013
Dr. Lynne Haley
LHJ Services, Inc.2012
Will Carne
Michigan Works! The Job Force Board2011
Christine Quinn
South Central Michigan Works!2010
Arnie Redsicker
Michigan Works! Berrien Cass Van Buren2009
Paul Arsenault
Six County Employment Alliance2007
Michael Jones
Consumers Energy2006
Sen. Valde Garcia2005
Doug Stites
Capital Area Michigan Works!2004
Frank Lopez
SEMCA -
2019
Stephanie Beckhorn
Labor and Economic Opportunity -- WD
2018
Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency -
2019
Rey Guzman
Labor and Economic Opportunity -- WD -
2008
Sharon Reed
Saginaw Midland Bay Michigan Works!Vickie Micheau
Michigan Works! the Job Force Board/Six County Alliance2007
Wilma Widler
Kalamazoo-St. Joseph Michigan Works!Connie Miller
Eaton Intermediate School District2006
Sara Butler
Greenville (Gratiot-Isabella RESD)Andrea Fisher
Princing & Ewend2005
Anna Marie Gonzales
Livingston County Michigan Works!Youth Advisory Council
Sanilac County Community FoundationTammy Halsey
Capital Area Michigan Works!2004
Kathy Salow
Michigan Works! the Job Force/Six County Employment AllianceCarol Wilson-Marlow
Thumb Area Michigan Works!Southgate Michigan Works! Service Center
2003
Lorraine Day
Michigan Works! Berrien-Cass-Van BurenJackie Earle
Michigan Works! The Job Board/Six County Employment AllianceHI-TECH/Amerimedia, Inc.
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2008
Mason County Manufacturers AssociationAnthony Retaskie
Upper Peninsula Construction Council -
2008
Joel Schultx
Region 1 - Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center2007
Pat Caruso
Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC)2006
Chris Holman
Greater Lansing Business Monthly (GLBM)2005
Dorothy Quinn
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth/Rehabilitation Services2004
Midwest Skills Development Center -
2007
Dave Hansen
Magna Powertrain
2006
Lena Barkley
CVS/pharmacyDeborah Darcy
Community Mental Health
2005
Iron Mountain Records Management
Charlotte Goodwill Retail Store
2004
Symmetry Medical, Inc. - Jet
Barnard Manufacturing, Inc.
2003
Jalayne Bennett
Anne Gogel -
2006
Alfred J. Hendra
Marquette General Healthcare System2005
John Nagy2004
Lynn Matzen2003
Charlie Mahoney -
2003
Lake Michigan College
Williamston Community Schools -
2003
Roger Gustafson