Please select the award below for the person, company or school you are nominating. Criteria for each award is below to help you decide on the appropriate nomination. When filling in the nomination summary, please be as thorough as possible as this will be the main criteria for judging nominations. You can submit multiple nominations in the various categories. Fields with a red asterisk, indicate a required field. The deadline for submitting a nomination is June 9, 2023.

Leadership Award

Company engages its employees with a school(s). This can be done in a number of ways; plant tours, job shadows, and employee engagement at school.

Past Winners:

• 2012: Ariens
• 2013: Miller Electric
• 2014: N.E.W. Plastics
• 2015: Georgia Pacific
• 2016: KI
• 2017: Kohler Co.
• 2018: Plexus
• 2019: Miller Electric Mfg. Co.
• 2020: Sargento Foods
• 2021: Pieper Electric, Inc.
• 2022: CMD Corporation

Youth Apprenticeship Award (for k-12)

A manufacturer that has invested in youth through offering youth apprenticeship opportunities.

Past Winners:

• 2012: A to Z Machine
• 2013: Ameriquip
• 2014: Pioneer Metal Finishing
• 2015: Kohler Co.
• 2016: NEW Water
• 2017: KI
• 2018: Jagemann Stamping
• 2019: Ariens Company
• 2020: Suburban Electric
• 2021: Fox Valley Tool & Die
• 2022: A to Z Machine Company, Inc.

Educational Partnership Award

Significant financial contribution or capital investment provided to a school.

Past Winners:

• 2012: Lindquist Machine
• 2013: Custom Metals Specialists
• 2014: Kondex Corp.
• 2015: Curt G. Joa
• 2016: Alliance Laundry Systems
• 2017: Robinson Metal
• 2018: Bemis Company
• 2019: Therma-Tron-X, Inc.
• 2020: Valley Packaging Industries
• 2021: Fox Valley Tool & Die
• 2022: Amcor Cares Foundation

Brighter Image Award

Has created a positive image of manufacturing careers for students.

Past Winners:

• 2012: Kohler
• 2013: Precision Machine
• 2014: KI
• 2015: Laminations/Great Northern Corp
• 2016: Masters Gallery Foods, Inc.
• 2017: Team Industries
• 2018: Samuel, Son & Co. (USA) Inc
• 2019: BPM Inc.
• 2020: Walker Forge
• 2021: Amcor Flexibles
• 2022: SMT Machine & Tool

Visionary Award

Individual, perhaps a CEO, who has been an advocate for manufacturing by providing a pathway for the region.

Past Winners:

• 2012: Paul Rauscher
• 2013: Mark Kaiser
• 2014: Jim Koronkiewicz
• 2015: Paul Bartelt
• 2016: Andy Bushmaker
• 2017: Dan Ariens
• 2018: Pete Uvaas
• 2019: Jared Bailin
• 2020: Wilson Jones, Oshkosh Corp.
• 2021: Mike VanderZanden, Amerequip
• 2022: Ryan Scherer, Miller Electric Mfg. Co.

Manufacturing Innovation Award

Programs that involve innovative ways to get youth interested in manufacturing (i.e. manufacturerers that sponsor school labs such as, BayLink Manufacturing, Project Grille, etc.)

Past Winners:

• 2012: None
• 2013: Walker Forge
• 2014: Johnsonville Sausage
• 2015: Waupaca Foundry
• 2016: Nercon Eng. & Mfg., Inc.
• 2017: Marine Travelift
• 2018: Johnson Controls
• 2019: Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.
• 2020: Plexus
• 2021: Miller Electric Mfg. Co.
• 2022: Ariens Co.

Career Pathmaker Award - Technology Education Teacher

Technology Education Teacher who has demonstrated how viable a career pathway in manufacturing can be.

Past Winners:

• 2012: Steve Meyer - Brillion High School
• 2013: Travis Schindler - Bonduel High School
• 2014: Tom Barnhart - Ashwaubenon
• 2015: Greg Gritt - Plymouth High School
• 2016: Matt Poppe – Oostburg High School
• 2017: Andy Belongia - Green Bay West High School 
• 2018: Kory Fredrikson - Denmark High School / Jon Larson - Little Chute High School
• 2019: Chris Arps - Winneconne Community School District
• 2019: Dave Stroud - Ashwaubenon High School
• 2020: Steve Kiel, Sheboygan North High School
• 2021: Robin Ryba, De Pere High School
• 2022: Jon Larson, Little Chute School District

Career Pathmaker Award - Administrator

Administrator who has demonstrated how viable a career pathway in manufacturing can be.

Past Winners:

• 2012: Joe Sheehan - Sheboygan
• 2013: Paul Nistler - Brillion
• 2014: Mike Trimberger - Sheboygan
• 2015: Nick Cochart – Algoma School District
• 2016: Thomas Ellenbecker – Mishicot High School
• 2017: Oran Nehls - Denmark High School
• 2018: Jeff Kasuboski - Wautoma Area School District
• 2019: Mike Trimberger - Random Lake School District
• 2020: Leah Michaud, Winneconne Community School District
• 2021: Thomas Mueller, Seymour High School
• 2022: Jason Johnson, N.E.W. School of Innovation / GBAPS

Career Pathmaker Award - Educator

Educator who has demonstrated how viable a career pathway in manufacturing can be.

Past Winners:

• 2012: Lori Peacock - Green Bay)
• 2013: Amanda Daniels - GPS
• 2014: Robert Pruchnofski - Hortonville
• 2015: Sara Greenwood and Marci Kuhn - Mishicot School District
• 2016: Mary Leonard – Central High School, Sheboygan
• 2017: Lisa Johnson - Green Bay Area Public Schools
• 2018: Cyndi Cantwell - Green Bay Area Public School District
• 2019: Rita O'Brien - Appleton Area School District
• 2020: Joe Turner, De Pere High School
• 2021: Jen Johnson - Luxemburg-Casco School District
• 2022: Kari Mueller, CESA 6

Manufacturer Partnership Award

Recognize a school that has reached out to an employer(s) in a significant way.

Past Winners:

• 2012: Neenah High School
• 2013: Little Chute High School
• 2014: None
• 2015: Denmark High School
• 2016: Fond du Lac STEM Academy & Institute
• 2017: Oshkosh North High school
• 2018: Wabeno High School
• 2019: Luxemburg-Casco High School
• 2020: None
• 2021: Fond du Lac High School - ACE Academy
• 2022: Waupaca School District

Brighter Image Award

Recognize a school that has created a positive image of manufacturing careers for students.

Past Winners:

• 2012: Plymouth High School
• 2013: Green Bay Southwest High School
• 2014: Kimberly High School
• 2015: Appleton Technical Academy
• 2016: Freedom High School
• 2017: Ashwaubenon High School
• 2018: Chilton High School
• 2019: Mishicot School District
• 2020: Kaukauna High School
• 2021: Fond du Lac High School - ACE Academy
• 2022: Manitowoc Lutheran High School

Education Innovation Award

Developed an innovative way to get students interested in manufacturing careers via curriculum or programming.

Past Winners:

• 2012: None
• 2013: Algoma High School
• 2014: Plymouth High School
• 2015: Green Bay Public School District
• 2016: Sheboygan Area School District
• 2017: Brillion Elementary
• 2018: Southern Door County School District
• 2019: Hortonville High School
• 2020: Omro High School
• 2021: Clintonville Public School District
• 2022: Appleton East - Tesla Charter School

Higher Education Award

A college or a person working in a college that has make a significant difference in working with K-12 and manufacturing

Past Winners:

• 2012: None
• 2013: None
• 2014: None
• 2015: None
• 2016: Jessie Lloyd - Fox Valley Technical College
• 2017: Jake Thonne - NWTC/Wausaukee High School
• 2018: Rachel Johnson - NWTC
• 2019: David Fisher - Fox Valley Technical College
• 2020: Andy Rinke, Fox Valley Technical College
• 2021: Allyson Baue, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
• 2022: Mary Hansen, Fox Valley Technical College

Community Partnership Award

Two possible winners: an individual from the community and a public /private partnership that has advanced manufacturing career exploration

Past Winners:

• 2012: Door/Kewaunee Business & Education Partnership
• 2013: Jim Golembeski, Bay Area Workforce Development Board
• 2014: Mark Weber, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
• 2015: Project Grill
• 2016: Ariens and Endries Foundations
• 2017: INSPIRE Sheboygan County
• 2018: Mark Hawkins, Hands on Deck
• 2019: Heart of the Valley Chamnber of Commerce
• 2020: Junior Achievement
• 2021: ProSolutions, Inc.
• 2022: Wisconsin Technology Education Association

The person or company/institution your are nominating must work or reside in the following counties:  Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Florence, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago.