News Release

WABASH — Grow Wabash County hosted its 2024 Annual Dinner Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 10, using the event as an opportunity to recognize some of Wabash County’s greatest champions and supporters.

Bill Barrows once again emceed, keeping the show running smoothly and recognizing the many sponsors who made the night’s event possible.

Before handing out awards, GWC Board Chair, Tod Minnich, briefly reflected on the exciting changes and growth opportunities that happened not only in the Wabash County community but within the Grow Wabash County organization.

Following his remarks, Minnich then called upon the Grow Wabash County board members in attendance to convene their annual meeting and complete necessary business that included renewing board terms for Douglas Lehman, Lisa Gilman and Dan Krouse, as well as welcoming Mark Ford onto the board for his first term.

After the annual meeting of the Grow Wabash County Board of Directors was adjourned, Tenille Zartman, president and CEO of Grow Wabash County, reflected on her first several months at the helm of the organization and all the exciting wins and lessons that have taken place throughout 2024.

“Our work is made possible by all of you — our supporters, investors, and local government partners,” Zartman said in her speech. “I’m blessed with a wonderful team, a visionary board and a supportive community, but none of this would be possible without you so thank you again.”

Grow Wabash County also made a point to celebrate some of the organization’s partners that have gone above and beyond in supporting GWC’s mission and commitment to helping our communities grow.

Zartman presented the 2024 Volunteer of the Year award to Brian Haupert who has served as both a Wabash County Commissioner and Grow Wabash County board member for several years. Haupert has been an essential partner in Grow Wabash County’s ongoing work to bring growth and investment to all of Wabash County.

Jana Thibos, project manager for Grow Wabash County as well as chair of the Young Professionals of Wabash County steering committee, was then invited to the stage to present the 2024 Emerging Leader Award to Kelli Dale. Dale, as executive director for the Wabash County United Fund, has been instrumental in revolutionizing the organization’s impact in Wabash County. Most recently, Dale secured the rights for Wabash County to be part of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program to provide books to local kids.

Minnich then took the podium to spotlight the 2024 Business of the Year, Kalenborn Abresist Corporation. Kalenborn recently celebrated 100 years in business and has received back-to- back awards from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce as a Manufacturing Best Place to Work.

For the event’s finale, as is tradition, the 2024 Distinguished Citizen was named. Steve Ford, who received the Distinguished Citizen award in 2011, shared facts and stories about this year’s recipients before announcing that the 2024 Distinguished Citizens were Carol and Dennis Horn, who have both dedicated their lives in Wabash County to supporting the education and growth of local youth.

Grow Wabash County would like to thank all of the businesses and organizations that sponsored this year’s Annual Dinner Celebration:

• Platinum Sponsors: Waters of Wabash East.
• Gold Sponsors: BioNutrients Ag, LLC; Crossroads Bank.
• Social Hour Sponsors: Bowen Health; City of Wabash; First Farmers Bank & Trust; The Hagerman Group; Honeywell Arts & Entertainment; Josiah White’s.
• Silver Sponsors: Beacon Credit Union; Community Foundation of Wabash County; Ford Meter Box Company; Intertech Products, Inc.; Manchester University; MPS Egg Farms; Schlemmer Brothers Metalworks; Wabash MPI/Carver.
• Bronze Sponsors: Halderman Real Estate & Farm Management; Hoosier Jiffy Print; Parkview Wabash Hospital; Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana; Town of North Manchester; Tulip Tree Title; Up There Media.
• Copper Sponsors: Carey Services, Inc.; Downs, Tandy & Petruniw, P.C.; Pro Resources Staffing; Revive Materials.