ELMHURST JAYCEES TO HONOR COMMUNITY LEADER
WITH DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
ELMHURST, Ill., January 27, 2005 – Community leader and business entrepreneur Betsy A. Hanisch will receive the Elmhurst Jaycees’ 2005 Distinguished Service Award at their annual banquet at the Diplomat West Banquet Halls, 681 West North Avenue, on Thursday, April 14.
The 2005 DSA banquet starts at 6:00 p.m. with a complimentary cocktail hour. Dinner is served at 7:00 p.m.
Ticket cost is $45.00 per person and a table of eight can be purchased for $320.00. Seating is limited to 225. Checks should be made payable to the Elmhurst Jaycees and mailed to Elmhurst Jaycees, c/o Julie Miller, 314 N. York Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126, by Friday, April 8. For more information, call DSA Chairperson Julie Miller at 630-832-6500.
Hanisch is well-known to residents and businesspeople alike thanks to her selfless service and financial support of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, the Elmhurst Family YMCA, Elmhurst College, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the former Elmhurst Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) over the past 20 years.
“Betsy’s long-standing and dedicated commitment to Elmhurst and its vital organizations made her the clear choice for this year’s DSA award,” said Miller. “Her generous contributions to Elmhurst exemplify what the Jaycees seek to honor with the DSA. Betsy’s efforts make Elmhurst a better place to live.”
Her nomination was submitted by Bill Von Stein, retired Director of Development at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital.
In 1985, Hanisch, then a social worker at St. Therese Hospital in Waukegan, changed career paths “to join her father’s management team at Western Slate, a manufacturing firm in the (north Elmhurst) industrial park founded by her grandfather,”
Von Stein stated in his letter of nomination.
“I know that it was her strong family values, passion for a challenge, keen business intellect, willingness to do the right thing right and tireless work ethic that prompted Mr. Hanisch to appoint Betsy his successor a few years later.”
Hanisch served as Director, Executive Board Secretary and Membership Chairman for the Midwest Association of Family Business Owners from 1991-1995.
In 1993, Hanisch created Fire Facilities, Inc., which designed buildings for hands-on firefighting training under controlled conditions. The DuPage Area Association of Business and Industry recognized Fire Facilities as a Nominee for Emerging Entrepreneurial Company in 1995 and again in 1997. Fire Facilities was sold in 2000.
Hanisch was active in the EEDC from its inception in 1994 and now serves on the city’s Economic Development Commission. She served as Director (1994, 1997-2004), Marketing Committee member (1994, 1995, 1997-2004), Annual Meeting Chairman (1995, 1997, 1998, 2000), Membership Committee member (1996, 1999-2004), Executive Board Secretary (1997, 1998, 1999), Vice Chairman (2001, 2005) and Chairman (2002, 2003).
Since 1988, Hanisch has been an active member in the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry. She has served on the Board of Directors and two Executive Director Search Committees, twice chaired the Industrial Committee and has been an Ambassador since 1991. The Chamber has honored her as one of 10 Outstanding Businesswomen in 1997, Ambassador of the Year in both 1991 and 1998, and both the “Tee Off for Toche” Good Works Award and Chairman’s Award in 2001.
Hanisch has relentlessly donated her time and efforts to the Elmhurst Family YMCA since 1998, serving on the Annual Dinner Committee as a member and as Chairperson, as well as on the Board of Directors and holding the position of Executive Board Secretary (1999-2004) and Chairman (2005).
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital also has benefited from Hanisch’s involvement since 1995. She has been a member of the Board of Governors and Foundation Trustees since 1995, and has served as Vice Chairman of the Foundation Board since 1998. Hanisch has contributed her expertise on numerous hospital committees, including the Corporate Annual Giving Fund, Guild Gala Fundraiser Committee, Quality Resource Management Committee, Strategic Planning Committee and Golf Classic (as Founder and Chair).
Hanisch continues to donate her time to her alma mater, Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis. She has served on the Entrepreneurial Studies Advisory Board since 1999 and the Career Center and School of Professional Studies Advisory Committee since 2001. In 2003, Carthage President Gregory Campbell presented her with its Distinguished Alumni Service Award during the spring commencement ceremony.
Hanisch also continues to volunteer as a mentor in the Elmhurst College Center for Professional Excellence Mentoring Program, beginning in 2001.
In 2002, The Business Ledger and NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) recognized Hanisch with their Influential Women in Business Award.
The Elmhurst Jaycees have honored deserving community volunteers for service to family, church and civic organizations with their Distinguished Service Award for more than 50 years.
Past recipients include: Clifford Harmon (1951), Dr. Max Klinghoffer (1952), Mrs. William Brice (1953), Mrs. Joseph Ackerman (1954), R. Bradner Hilliard (1955), Joseph Sheehan (1956), Helmut Berens (1957), Mrs. John Davenport (1958), George Hammerschmidt (1959), Mrs. John Musil (1960), Mrs. David Thompson (1961), Stephen French Jr. (1962), Robert Bosworth (1963), P. William Simonini (1964), Dr. Robert Stanger (1965), Byron Stevens (1966), Dr. Joseph Ackerman (1967), Mrs. Mildred Terwedo (1968), Dr. Maurice Turner (1969), Tom Price (1970), Mrs. George Scheppach (1961), Charles Weigle Jr. (1962), Miss Ruth Strand (1973), Mrs. Dorothy Marquard (1974), Abner Ganet (1975), Marvin E. Pollard (1976), Ray Fick Jr. (1977), Robert Palmer (1978), Mary Mahon (1979), Samuel Weigle (1980), Paul Hayden (1981), Fred Messerschmidt (1982), Jean Baker (1983), Ruth and Nellie Stickle (1984), Nancy Vonderohe (1985), Joanne Butterfield Wagner (1986), Jackie Haddad (1987), Art Karnstedt (1988), Jean Hasselhorst (1989), Frank Allen (1990), Gene Hoffman (1991), Frank Catalano Sr. (1992), Phyllis Doan (1993), James Hallberg (1994), Betsy Aldred (1995), Darrell Whistler (1996), John Howlett (1997), Ted Dulles (1999), Judge William Bauer (2000), Ralph Pechanio (2001), John and Phyllis Carroll (2002), Thomas O. and Shirley Myers, Jr., (2003) and William and Charlotte Ralston (2004).
Chartered as the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Elmhurst Jaycees is a leadership training organization of young adults between the ages of 21 and 40 who engage in volunteer, charitable activities benefiting the Elmhurst community.