Awards distributed at 2018 Waukon Chamber of Commerce Banquet


Business of the Year - Reel Core ... Pictured above receiving the 2018 Business of the Year award are, left to right, Erika Murillo, Lenny Bulman and Dave Mulholland of Reel Core. Standard photo by Joe Moses.

Person of the Year - Al Rissman ... Pictured above, left to right, following the award presentation are Nick, Olivia, Lori and Carter Rissman, Al and Fern Rissman, and Amber Rissman. Standard photo by Joe Moses.

Five-year increment anniversary award - The Standard Newspaper - 160 years ... Left to right: Sara Aleckson-Melcher, Joe Moses and Robin Johnson.

Business of the Year - Reel Core ...
Reel Core of Waukon was named 2018 Business of the Year at the Waukon Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet held Friday, February 23 at the Waukon Banquet Center. Nomination information for Reel Core in its selection as this year's recipient of the award focused on the fact that this past year saw Reel Core add 40,000 square feet to its working space facility, which allowed the business to expand its workforce from 70 employees to 85 and also gives the business the ability to "expand into new markets that will add to the continued growth and stability of the company and Waukon's economic base." In its more than two decades of existence in Waukon, Reel Core has grown from an original 10,000 square foot facility with just 10 employees to its current 125,000 square foot facility employing 85 individuals.

Person of the Year - Al Rissman ...
Al Rissman of Waukon is pictured at right with his family displaying the award he received for being named Waukon’s 2018 “Person of the Year” at the Waukon Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet held Friday, February 23 at the Waukon Banquet Center. Nomination information for Rissman centered around his volunteer efforts and service to the community in a wide array of capacities that "provide support to people, organizations and the community at-large." He currently serves as president of the Allamakee Community School District Board of Education and is in his ninth year of service on that board, and he has also served on various boards and committees for 10 years at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon. His volunteer efforts have taken him to the ultimate level of service to his community as a member of the Waukon Fire Department for the past 34 years, with his expertise in that realm being noted in his nomination information as locals witnessed him put out a burning wheel on a truck he happened upon alongside an area highway. A graduate of Waukon High School, he can often be seen supporting students from his alma mater in their extracurricular activities. After retiring from a 41-year career with the Allamakee County Engineer's Office, Rissman continues serving the community as a driver for the Easy, Affordable, Reliable, Life-Changing (EARL) public transit system, providing "rides and a smile for many people in the area."

Waukon Chamber of Commerce distributes five-year increment anniversary awards ...
Five-year increment anniversary award recipients include the S&D Cafe - 85 years, Allamakee Co. Farm Bureau - 100 years, Allamakee Co. ISU Extension - 100 years, Bieber Insurance & Real Estate - 35 years, TASC, Inc. - 45 years, Jim's Appliance - 45 years, Helping Services for Youth and Families - 45 years, Shopko - 40 years, Waukon Greenhouse Flowers & Gifts - 90 years, Mayo Clinic Health System - 65 years, James U. Mellick, Attorney At Law - 55 years, Torkelson Motors - 40 years, Hacker, Nelson & Co., P.C. - 45 years and The Standard Newspaper - 160 years. Additional photos of the anniversary award recipients are available in the print and e-edition of The Standard. Pick up this week's print edition or subscribe to our e-edition by clicking here.