May 18, 2010 :: Business, Event, LPCC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: LPCC Presents 20th Annual Awards

LPCC Presents 20th Annual Awards
Awards Honor Dedicated Businesses, Individuals

CHICAGO (May 17, 2010) – Across Chicago, the diversity of businesses and neighborhoods helps create unique shopping districts and supports our entrepreneurial spirit.  With this in mind, the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC) Monday presented the 20th Annual LPCC Awards to business leaders who have played an integral role in shaping the Lincoln Park business community.  Despite a difficult economic landscape nationwide, businesses of all sizes across Lincoln Park are working diligently to support their bottom line, and their neighborhood.  The awards honoring these efforts were presented on May 17, 2010 at Vinci in Lincoln Park.

Awards were presented to the following recipients:

• Lincoln Park Member of the Decade – Christopher Matern, Attorney at Law
• Business of the Year – Colette Rodon Hornof, Vesta
• Chairman’s Award – Gail Zelitzky, Silver Robins Consulting, LLC

“The LPCC is honored to present these awards to some of Chicago’s most dedicated business leaders and professionals,” said Kim Schilf, LPCC President and CEO.  “As our economic landscape begins to show signs of recovery, future entrepreneurs can benefit from the experience of our neighborhood’s anchors and leaders.”

Applications for the awards were reviewed by a panel of LPCC members who developed a slate of award recipients for approval by the LPCC Board of Directors.  Award recipients were judged on their key accomplishments from the past year – and the past decade for the Member of the Decade and Chairman’s Awards, community service and contributions, new initiatives, innovative thinking as well as their overall business model. 

As the largest neighborhood chamber in Chicago, the LPCC features approximately 550 members and some of the city’s most popular restaurants, shopping districts and cultural institutions.  The 20th Annual LPCC Awards were derived from a membership pool rich in dedicated businesses and individuals.  With national chains, local boutique shops, world-class dining, premier shopping districts and cultural institutions, Lincoln Park remains a destination neighborhood for both residents of and visitors to Chicago.

“While we honored three businesses tonight, we recognize the efforts of every business in Lincoln Park – without your commitment to your products and services, the Lincoln Park community would not be the place it is today,” Schilf said.

About the Winners

Lincoln Park Member of the Decade
Christopher Matern – Attorney at Law

Chris Matern is an attorney in private practice.  Chris represents businesses and individuals in the areas of corporate, environmental, estate planning, real estate and emerging technology. Chris graduated from DePaul University’s College of Law with honors, as well as cum laude from Illinois Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a minor in management.

Chris currently serves on the LPCC board of directors and chairs its Government and Community Affairs Committee.  Chris was a past Chairman.  Chris also served the LPCC on its Executive Committee as Treasurer and Secretary.  Over the years, Chris has served on various other not-for-profit boards and was a Big Brother in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.

Business of the Year
Colette Rodon-Hornof – Vesta

Upon graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completing an internship with Haworth, Inc., Colette developed her skills in Commercial Interior Design. Realizing that her focus was best suited to Residential Design; she honed her design talent in the Kitchen and Bath Design Community. To round out her design expertise, she worked for a major appliance distributor educating other design professionals in the specification of appliances.

In 1996, Colette joined her husband at his Architectural Firm to assist in the design and specification of his residential projects. In 2004, together they successfully launched their new kitchen design studio – Vesta. With Colette’s vast experience both in and out of the field; she is able to share a great wealth of exciting, creative and practical design solutions to suit varying lifestyles and budgets. She is currently a practicing licensed Interior Designer in Illinois, is an ASID industry partner, and is currently serving on the Executive Board for the LPCC.

Chairman’s Award
Gail Zelitzky – Silver-Robins Consulting, LLC

Gail Zelitzky has owned her own businesses since 1977: a multi-state franchise operation; worldwide catalog and e-commerce business; and, for the last 10 years, a business consulting firm that coaches entrepreneurs and teams to achieve the performance they expect from themselves and their businesses. She focuses on issues that impact growth and collaborates on creating strategies that increase revenue and profitability. Gail is founder of ThinkSales - a methodology that leads entrepreneurs to change the culture in their business and grow. Her expertise includes operations, finance, structure, marketing, sales and service.

Gail is Past Chair and Treasurer of the LPCC and President of Lincoln Park Business Development Institute.  She sits on the Board of Governors of Athena PowerLink, Chicago, is actively involved in leadership of the Chicago Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and in 2005, was named Member of the Year. Gail served six years on the Illinois Retail Merchants Association Board (IRMA). Her achievements were recognized by Working Woman magazine which presented her an Entrepreneurial Excellence Award in the category of Innovative Business Strategies.

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