I.C. Area Chamber recognizes businesses, nonprofits, farmers with awards

IOWA CITY -- The Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday recognized outstanding businesses, organizations and individuals in seven categories at ceremonies attended by 240 people at Brown Deer Golf Club in Coralville.

AlphaGraphics of North Liberty received the Eliot Keller Small Business of the Year award. The business, established in 2008 by Dennis and Sarah Tallman, recently expanded its North Liberty facility to 3,800 square feet.

Van Meter Inc. of Cedar Rapids received the Economic Development award. The company will complete construction on a new LEED certified building in Iowa City replacing its existing location that it has outgrown. Van Meter has given back to its communities through donations exceeding $250,000  annually and more than 7,000 volunteer hours.

Pathways Adult Day Health Center in Iowa City was honored as Nonprofit of the Year. Pathways provides participants and their caregivers transportation, meals, and cost-effective day-time assistance. 

Recently, Pathways added a low stimulus special care area. Through a connection made by the Chamber, Pathways also established a partnership with Progressive Rehabilitation Associates to begin offering therapy services onsite.

FasTrac Cultural and Diversity Awareness Program for Youth in Iowa City received the Diversity and Inclusion award for organizing annual civil rights tours across the U.S. and facilitating learning and volunteer opportunities for youth. FasTrac Founder Henri Harper has focused attention on human rights by advocating for African American families who have relocated to Iowa City from the Chicago and St. Louis area.

Glenn and Pat Kasper of Oxford were honored as a farm family. Glenn Kasper's parents bought the farm in 1929 when he was 2 years old. The Kaspers have lived on and farmed the land since 1956, raising six children. Rick, their youngest son, has been involved in farming with his dad for the last seven years after the death of Gene, their oldest son, in 2004. Glenn and Pat have 12 grandchildren and a great grandchild with another on the way.

Brent Hawkins of MidWestOne Bank was recognized as Iowa City Area Chamber Volunteer of the Year. Hawkins is on the Ambassador Executive Council and the advisory council for EPIC, the Chamber's young professionals group. 

Iowa City Mayor Matt Hayek, a partner at Hayek, Brown, Moreland, & Smith, received the Spark Leadership award performing pro bono legal work for the Dream Catchers Foundation and leading the Democratic caucus at Shimek. Hayek was a driving force for the resurgence of the Englert Theatre.

Nominations for the awards were submitted by Iowa City Area Chamber members and recipients were selected through online voting on the organization's website.

Also at Thursday's event, the Iowa City Area Chamber announced its 2012 board secretary and 2014 chairman as Rick White of HR Green. The Chamber recognized Jeremy James of the James Investment Group as Ambassador of the Year.