Pictured with M-T Chamber President Ron Knaus are this year’s chamber awards recipients with their plaques. Above, Jon I. Cyganiak, right, son of Jon A. Cyganiak, for Citizen of the Year (in memoriam).
Pictured with M-T Chamber President Ron Knaus are this year’s chamber awards recipients with their plaques. Knaus, center, is pictured with Culver’s owners Joe and Joan Fall for Business of the Year.
Pictured with M-T Chamber President Ron Knaus are this year’s chamber awards recipients with their plaques. Knaus, left, is pictured with Steve Tobin of Tobin Jewelers for Small Business of the Year.
Pictured with M-T Chamber President Ron Knaus are this year’s chamber awards recipients with their plaques. Above, Jon I. Cyganiak, right, son of Jon A. Cyganiak, for Citizen of the Year (in memoriam).
Pictured with M-T Chamber President Ron Knaus are this year’s chamber awards recipients with their plaques. Knaus, center, is pictured with Culver’s owners Joe and Joan Fall for Business of the Year.
Pictured with M-T Chamber President Ron Knaus are this year’s chamber awards recipients with their plaques. Knaus, left, is pictured with Steve Tobin of Tobin Jewelers for Small Business of the Year.
MEQUON — The Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce held its annual Celebrate Your Community Awards dinner Oct. 17 at the Watermark at Shully’s in Thiensville.
The event recognizes businesses and individuals who make an outstanding impact on the community through exceptional leadership, support and involvement. This year’s recipients were:
– Business of the Year: Culver’s — Mequon
– Small Business of the Year: Tobin Jewelers
– Citizen of the Year: Jon A. Cyganiak
Below are excerpts from each winner’s nomination:
Business of the Year Culver’s:
“Culver’s of Mequon is owned by an independent local owner, Joe Fall, who is dedicated to his business and giving back to the community. Joe’s journey with Culver’s began in 1994 when he opened his first store in Grafton, Wisconsin, making it the 25th Culver’s franchise nationwide. Today, there are almost 1,000 franchises across the country. After selling his Grafton location in 2000, he expanded his business by opening three additional restaurants in Brown Deer, Milwaukee and Mequon. The popular Mequon location opened in 2003 and is managed by Joe’s son, Jonathan Fall.
Joe and Culver’s are dedicated to supporting businesses and strengthening both the chamber and the local business community. For many years, Joe has been an extraordinary champion for the Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce. Since joining in 2003, he served on the board for six years, and during that time held the positions of secretary and treasurer. He also devoted his time serving on the M-T Chamber Annual Golf Classic Committee for 12 years, and his involvement has been instrumental in the success of the event.
Furthermore, Culver’s generous contributions to the Chamber Angel Fund helped members facing challenges maintain their membership during the difficult years of 2020 and 2021. In addition to consistently sponsoring all of the M-T Chamber fundraisers, Culver’s has steadily supported the self-directed Young Professionals programs. Nurturing future leaders is important to Joe. He especially enjoyed the opportunity to share his business knowledge and experiences as a participant in the YP mentorship program coordinated by the Young Professionals group. Culver’s has made a significant positive impact on our community through their dedication of maintaining a thriving business and by offering exceptional community support.”
Small Business of the Year Tobin Jewelers:
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“Tobin Jewelers, a third-generation family business, is built on a foundation of loyalty and trust, evident with both their employees and clients. The company’s commitment to employee retention speaks volumes about its culture; long-serving team members like Jenny and Suzie have each dedicated over 25 years to the business.
Many of their loyal clients consist of families spanning multi-generations, demonstrating the strong bonds they’ve established over the decades. During the COVID-19 pandemic, trusting clients purchased jewelry online and over the phone due to Tobin Jewelers’ reliable reputation. Philanthropy lies at the heart of Tobin Jewelers’ mission.
They actively contribute time, talent and product donations to numerous local organizations and events, including the Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce, Gathering on the Green, Taste of Mequon and the Thiensville Village Park Reimagined Gala. They also support the Thiensville Mequon Rotary, Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise Rotary, the Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Junior Woman’s Club of Mequon-Thiensville’s Turkey Trot, and the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society. Their sponsorship of the Lakeshore Chinooks highlights their commitment to enhancing the quality of life for families in the Mequon and Thiensville communities.
Their charitable attitude is reflected in Craig Tobin’s words, “We are given gifts from God, and it is our responsibility to give back.”
The Tobins also believe that investing in the community fosters loyalty and strengthens relationships, a value that remains vital in their jewelry business.”
Citizen of the Year: Cyganiak:
“Jon A. Cyganiak enriched our community and touched the lives of many through his ongoing involvement, generous spirit and caring nature. Jon was a longtime resident of Thiensville and Mequon for over 55 years along with his wife Liz. Together they raised a family of four children, actively supporting local schools and community programs. During these years, Jon volunteered as a soccer coach for the Milwaukee Kickers in the Mequon-Thiensville community, fostering teamwork and sportsmanship. He also helped launch one of the area’s signature events, Gathering on the Green.
In 1973, Jon founded Cyganiak Planning, Inc., a successful employee benefits agency. His values of kindness, generosity and integrity became the cornerstone of the company’s culture, which embraced Mequon, Thiensville and the greater community. For an incredible 38 years, Cyganiak Planning, Inc. has delighted residents by providing free ice cream following the Family Fun Before the 4th Parade at Thiensville Village Park, one of the many ways the business has given back.
The legacy of community support will continue with his son Jon I. Cyganiak serving as president of the company, upholding the values of integrity, generosity, and the strong work ethic that Jon instilled.
Cyganiak Planning, Inc. joined the Mequon-Thiensville Chamber in 1981, and Jon served on its board in the early years. He also served on the M-T Chamber Annual Golf Classic committee for the past three years, where his dedication and enthusiasm significantly impacted both the event’s success and the morale of the committee members.
Jon’s legacy is one of kindness, dedication, and community service. His charm, sense of humor, and generous heart left a lasting impression on all who knew him, and his contributions continue to uplift and inspire the community.”
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