Trenton Rotarian, Architect Honored During Chamber of Commerce Members Tribute

A Trenton business owner, an architectural firm that has designed distinguished Trenton buildings and a longtime Trenton volunteer were among the honorees at the annual Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber Members Tribute.

The event, held at the Downriver Italian American Hall in Wyandotte, recognizes businesses and individuals that make a difference in their community and region.

The three award winners with Trenton ties are:

• Jeff Jones, owner of , who was recognized for his year as chairman of the board of the chamber of commerce.
• The architectural firm of Wilkie and Zanley, which won the Image Award for promoting a positive image of the Downriver area.
• Ronnie Jacek of PNC Bank and the Rotary Club of Trenton, who received the Community Service Award for her volunteer work in improving the region’s quality of life.

In addition to the awards, the night featured the ceremonial passing of the gavel from Jones to new Chairwoman Yvette Pugh, director of external affairs at AT&T, and a congratulatory visit from U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow.

Pugh praised Jones “for his leadership and commitment” to the chamber and thanked chamber President Sandy Mull and her staff for their effectiveness in making the chamber successful.

Pugh announced her goals and objectives for the chamber, which includes all 21 Downriver communities, including Trenton:

• To build on the “current momentum” of the chamber.
• To serve as a “nonpartisan advocate” for businesses “in legislative and public policy matters that impact chamber membership.”
• To help position local businesses “to take advantage of new economic development initiatives presented by efforts to reinvent Michigan.”
• To “serve as a catalyst for positive change within our communities by building and strengthening partnerships here and across the state.”

“Nothing could be more important to our state at this time than for all of us to work together to support and invest in our businesses,” Pugh said. “I call upon all chamber members to increase their involvement and engagement as we work to move the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce forward in 2011.”

Stabenow thanked chamber members for providing jobs for the area’s residents and said she was “glad” to be a partner with the chamber and Downriver communities. She mentioned the recent unveiling of a new fire truck in Trenton and talked about initiatives in the region.

Mull said Image Award winner Wilkie and Zanley have designed commercial buildings throughout the 21 Downriver communities, have won numerous awards for “design and citizenship” and are charter members of the chamber, dating back more than 43 years when the firm was known as Yops and Wilkie.

The firm has been part of Sidock Architects and the Sidock Group since 2008 and is responsible for designing such Trenton buildings as the St. Joseph Catholic Church renovation, the Metro Shores Credit Union and the Paul Frost Building, plus the nearby Josephine Ford Cancer Center in Brownstown.

John Wilkie and David Zanley were on hand to accept the Image Award. Wilkie called the recognition “a real honor.”

Jacek, who is vice president and regional manager of PNC Bank, secretary of the Trenton Rotary and a member of the chamber board, earned the Community Service Award for giving her time and expertise to improve the region’s quality of life. Mull called Jacek an inspiration to the community for participating selflessly in so many positive events.

Jacek, who said she was “speechless” when she learned she won the award, said she attempts to balance family, work and volunteering with a goal of  “making a difference in people’s lives.”

Flowers on the Avenue of Allen Park won the Corporate Citizen Award for its business success and impact on the area’s quality of life.

Three Greening Downriver Awards to Comfort Suites of Southgate, Second Step Advertising of Wyandotte and the City of Taylor. The awards signified the use of green practices to promote “economic, social and ecological sustainability.”

Marilyn Larese of MJL Performance Solutions was selected ambassador of the year. Chamber ambassadors volunteer at chamber events and adopt and refer new chamber members.