Awards Luncheon History
The Forward Janesville Annual Awards Luncheon has been held every year since 2002, except 2021 (COVID-19 pandemic).
Community Improvement Award
2024 - The Kennedy Family Foundation - Rock Road Companies; 2023 - Humane Society of Southern WI & GIFTS Men's Shelter; 2022 - I-90 Project: Rock Roads, LYCON, Batterman, COJ; 2020 - VetsRoll; 2019 - United Way Blackhawk Region; 2018 - Janesville Police Dept.; 2017 - Bodacious Shops/Studer Family; 2016 - Rock County Historical Society; 2015 - Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care; 2014 - Culver's of Janesville; 2013 - Janesville Jets; 2012 - Kutter Harley-Davidson; 2011 - Christine Moore; 2010 - HealthNet & Janesville Community Health Center of MHS; 2009 - Rotary Gardens; 2008 - Janesville Farmers Market; 2007 - The Armory; 2006 - House of Mercy Homeless Shelter; 2005 - Janesville Performing Arts Center; 2004 - Terry Campbell; 2003 - Peace Park; 2002 - Harry C. O'Leary.
Educator of the Year
2024 - Dr. Allison DeGraaf - School District of Janesville; 2023 - Kristin Fillhouer, UW-Whitewater at Rock County; 2022 - Hedberg Public Library. 2020 - Leadership Development Academy; 2019 - Patti Hernandez, School District of Janesville; 2018 - Mark Dwyer, Rotary Botanical Gardens; 2017 - UW-Rock County; 2016 - Blackhawk Technical College Advanced Manufacturing Facility; 2015 - John Zimmerman; 2014 - Steve Huth.
Entrepreneur of the Year
2024 - Jose Massas-Caraballo - Massas Transportation; 2023 - Gracie Karpes, Girl Scouts of WI Badgerland; 2022 - Courtney Perakis - The Sugar Exchange; 2020 - Kari & Shawn Reents - Velvet & Tulle; 2019 - Joan & Richard Neeno - Lark; 2018 - N1 Critical Technologies; 2017 - Drywater Productions; 2016 - Tony Farrell Jr. - Voigt Music Center; 2015 - Jason Yost - Fetch Graphics; 2014 - Joni Cullen & Lisa Saxer - Buros (posthumously); 2013 - Tony Huml; 2012 - Duke Kelly; 2011 - Jeff Hazekamp; 2010 - Brian Cherry; 2009 - Todd Duckworth; 2008 - Dr. Jim Damrow; 2007 - Richard Meier; 2006 - Craig DeGarmo; 2005 - Lori & Mark Warren; 2004 - Dr. Paul Romanelli; 2003 - John Roherty; 2002 - Dr. David Robinson.
Business of the Year (50 or fewer employees)
2024 - Ignatek; 2023 - Hagen CPA; 2022 - Gray Brewing Company; 2020 - Mocha Moment; 2019 - Floral Expressions; 2018 - E & D Waterworks; 2017 - Batterman; 2016 - SASid; 2015 - Pelsue Orthodontics; 2014 - Rinehart Targets; 2013 - K & W Greenery; 2012 - Foremost Media; 2011 - Mac's Pizza Shack; 2010 - Helgesen Development Corp.; 2009 - OfficePro; 2008 - Boyd Consulting; 2007 - Janesville Messenger; 2006 - MacFarlane Pheasants; 2005 - Nowlan & Mouat; 2004 - Harris Ace Hardware; 2003 - Angus-Young; 2002 - Kutter Harley-Davidson.
Business of the Year (50+ employees)
2024 - Beloit Sky Carp; 2023 - KANDU Industries; 2022 - Blackhawk Technical College; 2020 - Alliant Energy; 2019 - Dollar General Distribution Center; 2018 - Chambers & Owen; 2017 - SSI Technologies; 2016 - Data Dimensions; 2015 - Blackhawk Community Credit Union; 2014 - Johnson Bank/Johnson Insurance; 2013 - Prent Corporation; 2012 - St. Mary's Janesville Hospital & Dean Clinic; 2011 - Janesville Sand & Gravel/LYCON; 2010 - Bliss Communications; 2009 - Rock Road Companies; 2008 - Freedom Plastics; 2007 - M & I Bank; 2006 - UAW Local 95 & General Motors; 2005 - Blain Supply, Inc.; 2004 - Mercy Health System; 2003 - HUFCOR; 2002 - J.P. Cullen & Sons.
Lifetime Achievement Award
2024 - David Moore - Retired Chief of Police; 2023 - Jeff Hazekamp; 2022 - John Beckord; 2020 - Skip Bliss; 2019 - Larry Squire; 2018 - David Cullen; 2017 - Jane Blain Gilbertson; 2016 - Joe Pregont; 2015 - Diane Hendricks; 2014 - Jackie Wood; 2013 - Mark Cullen; 2012 - Ron Ochs; 2011 - Donald Hedberg; 2010 - Dr. Robert Yahr; 2009 - Ken Hendricks (posthumously); 2008 - Roger Axtell; 2007 - Rowland McClellan; 2006 - Alfred Diotte (posthumously); 2005 - George Steil Sr.; 2004 - Neal Schneider; 2003 - J. P. Cullen; 2002 - Jim Fitzgerald.
Emerging Leader Award
2024 - Andrew Marcotte, Blain Supply; 2023 - Sean Knott, Baird; 2022 - Jenny McCarthy, Baker Tilly; 2020 - Nathan Burkart, Janesville Performing Arts Center.
Diversity Award
2024 - Janesville Performing Arts Center; 2023 - PremierBank; 2022 - Janesville Multicultural Teacher Scholarship; 2020 - No winner as we introduced Emerging Leader Award; 2019 - Gary Bersell; 2018 - GIFTS Men's Shelter; 2017 - Rock County; 2016 - Community Action of Rock & Walworth Counties
Riverfront, Inc.; 2015 - ECHO; 2014 - Rock Aqua Jays; 2013 - Janesville Presents!; 2012 - YWCA of Rock County; 2011 - Santo Carfora, S&J Consulting & Robert Baldwin, Robert D. Baldwin, LLC; 2010 - The Aktion Club of Janesville; 2009 - Jose Carillo, School District of Janesville; 2008 - Jane Thompson, School District of Janesville; 2007 - Boys & Girls Club of Janesville.
Ambassador of the Year
2024 - Terri Moldenhauer; 2023 - Liz Menz; 2022 - Verna Saladino; 2020 - Jen White; 2019 - Dennis Condon; 2018 - Denise Webb; 2017 - Jen DeGarmo; 2016 - Jessica Locher; 2015 - Lisa Hurda; 2014 - Jaysen Jorgensen; 2013 - Scott Hembrook; 2012 - Dan Wilcox; 2011 - Teri Barnes; 2010 - Robbi Seales; 2009 - Jim McMullen; 2008 - Lori Sperry; 2007 - Kim Simmons; 2006 - Tom Paar; 2005 - Jan Moroni Bruss; 2004 - Robbi Seales; 2003 - Rick West; 2002 - Dorothy McNall; 2001 - Linda Bolin; 2000 - Janet Fugate; 1999 - Vicki Schmuck; 1998 - Lee Sherwood; 1997 - Todd Stevens; 1996 - Lee Sherwood; 1995 - Mae Thornton.
Advocacy Award
2024 - Christine Rebout, Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Volunteer of the Year
2020 - Mick Gilbertson; 2019 - Tim Weber; 2018 - Tammy McCaslin Krebs; 2017 - Dave Marshick; 2016 - Oakleigh Ryan; 2015 - Jim Purviance/Patty Reynolds; 2014 - Debbie Cook; 2013 - Experienced Business Advisors; 2012 - Tony Farrell, Sr.; 2011 - Bill Boyd; 2010 - Mark Warren; 2009 - Nick Fitzgerald; 2008 - Steve Huth; 2007 - Jim McMullen; 2006 - Vicki Schmuck; 2005 - Mae Thornton; 2004 - Linda Heckert; 2003 - Lesa Crawford; 2002 - Linda Bolin.
Woman of Excellence
2013 - Dr. Karen Shulte; 2012 - Marion Wozniak; 2011 - Diane Pillard; 2010 - Judi Kneece (posthumously); 2009 - Jackie Wood; 2008 - Laurel Canan; 2007 - Terri Roessler; 2006- Jane Blain Gilbertson*; 2005 - Mary Willmer-Sheedy*; 2004 - Sue Conley*; 2003 - Diane Utzig*.
*Recipient of the Athena Award