Envision Greater FDL Announces 2017 Community Awards Recipients

Envision Greater Fond du Lac will host its inaugural annual meeting on Tuesday, February 20 at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts. In addition to a brief program outlining the organization’s progress, five community awards will be presented.


The event will begin at 5:00 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and networking with the program to follow at 6:00 p.m. Registration is required by February 16 and available online at www.envisiongreaterfdl.com or by calling 920-921-9500. Cost to attend is $35 per person.

Business Excellence Awards: Drexel Building Supply and Fat Joe’s Bar and Grill

Business Excellence Award will be presented to Drexel Building Supply and Fat Joe’s Bar and Grill. Both of these local businesses have demonstrated excellence in a way that has left a positive impact on their employees, clients or the community.

Over the past few years, Drexel Building Supply has consistently fostered a corporate culture that has led to phenomenal employee retention and workplace morale. In 2017, Drexel further embodied their mission of “Supplying Happiness” by opening the Blue Door Coffee Co., where 100% of profits are donated to local charities.

In Spring 2017, Fat Joe’s Bar and Grill debuted their new rooftop patio. This one-of-kind venue for Fond du Lac has become a gem in the Downtown District and provided an added popular dining option in Downtown Fond du Lac. Though it entertains patrons of all ages, the rooftop addition is a notable draw for millennials, who occupy a significant share of the Fond du Lac workforce.

Eden-Schneider Award: Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund

The Eden-Schneider award recognizes an organization’s collaborative spirit to have a positive impact on employees, their industry or the community. The award was founded in recognition of the collaborative spirits of former board chairs Tom Schneider, President of Silica For Your Home, and Dr. Jim Eden, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Moraine Park Technical College, to bring together the Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce and Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation, resulting in the creation of Envision Greater Fond du Lac.

The Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund will be presented with the Eden-Schneider Award. The Women’s Fund promotes positive change in the lives of Fond du Lac area women and girls through programs focusing on education, leadership development, financial self-sufficiency, and safety, dignity and freedom from violence. Through the organization’s “Fond du Lac Says No More” campaign, the Women’s Fund has partnered with businesses and non-profit organizations to bring awareness to the issue of violence against women and girls in our community and surrounding areas.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Darold Treffert, Treffert Center

Dr. Darold Treffert, MD, of Agnesian HealthCare’s Treffert Center will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. For over 50 years, Dr. Treffert has been studying autism and savant syndrome. In addition to writing two award-winning books on savant syndrome, he served as a consultant for the movie Rain Man, has made appearances on CNN, Today, Dateline, 60 Minutes and The Discovery Channel, as well as sharing his expertise in over 50 national and international publications.

Volunteer of the Year: Steve Leaman, Horicon Bank

Steve Leaman, Vice President of Business Banking at Horicon Bank, will be recognized as Envision Greater Fond du Lac’s 2017 Volunteer of the Year. Leaman has deep roots with Envision Greater Fond du Lac and its predecessor organization, the Association of Commerce. He has been a strong advocate for the organization as an ambassador for the past six years, leading to the addition of many local chamber members. In 2013, he was recognized as a Future 5 Award recipient by the Young Professionals of Fond du Lac. In addition, is involvement with Lemonade Day has left a lasting impression on the next generation of entrepreneurs, a true testament of his recognition as “Business Partner of the Year” in 2017.