FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS
Congratulations to All Past Award Winners
Advancements in workforce development don’t happen without true excellence in action. For the past several decades, Michigan Works! has recognized its top leaders, partners, and advocates through its Challenge of Excellence awards. Our list of winners is now in the hundreds—and our state’s talent pipeline is stronger for their collective efforts.
2025
Stephanie Beckhorn
Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity
2024
Orrin Bailey
UPWARD Talent Council
Michael Polzin
Michigan Works! Instructor, BSP Certification Program
Marisue Moreau
Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium
2023
Joseph Billig
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
2022
Ben Damerow
Michigan Works! Southwest/W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
2021
John Bierbusse
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!
Luann Dunsford
Michigan Works! Association
William "Bill" Sleight
Michigan Works! Southeast
2020
Janet Bloomfield
Michigan Works! Association
Edythe Copeland
Capital Area Michigan Works!
2019
Paul Griffith
Michigan Works! West Central
2018
Ed Oberski
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!
Craig Coney
GST Michigan Works!
2017
Elaine Wood
Networks Northwest
2016
Christine Quinn
WDA/SOM
John Almstadt
Oakland County Michigan Works!
Will Carne
UPWARD Talent Council
2015
Gwen Worley
Eastern Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
2014
Marv Pichla
Thumbworks!, A Michigan Works Agency
2013
Bob Straits
Kalamazoo - St. Joseph Michigan Works!
Doug Stites
Capital Area Michigan Works!
2012
Kurt Riles
Northeast Michigan Consortium
2011
Beverly Drake
Area Community Services Employment and Training (ACSET) Council Michigan Works!
Craig Schreuder
Kalamazoo - St. Joseph Michigan Works!
Trenda Rushner
Washtenaw County Michigan Works!
James Saari
Western Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
Paul Roy, Jr.
Muskegon/Oceana Consortium
Bud Shipstead
Northwest Michigan Council of Governments
Vicki Enright
Department of Labor & Economic Growth
Elaine Furu-Baker
Barry/Branch/Calhoun Michigan Works!
Thomas Husband
Thomas Husband & Associates
Jack O’Reilly, Jr.
Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) Michigan Works!
Raph Loeschner
Central Area Michigan Works! Consortium
Dennis Brieske
Saginaw Midland Bay Michigan Works!
Robert Pendleton
Michigan Department of Career Development
2025
Becky Powers
Capital Area Michigan Works!
2024
Janie McNabb
Networks Northwest
2023
Jakki Bungart-Bibb
Michigan Works! Southwest
2022
Greg Pitoniak
SEMCA Michigan Works! CEO
2020
Edythe "Edee" Copeland
2025
Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office
2024
Duncan Aviation
2023
MediLodge
2022
Lyons Industries
2021
Bronson Healthcare Group
2020
DHT Group
International Building Products, Inc.
2019
Firekeepers Casino Hotel
2018
Kalita Air, LLC
Springs Window Fashions LLC
2017
Mercy Health
2016
UAW-Ford Technical Training Center
Pinecrest Medical Care Facility
2015
Meijer (Manistee, Cadillac, Acme locations)
2014
Detroit Manufacturing Systems
2013
Vantage Plastics
2012
Toda America, Inc.
2011
Kellogg Company
MAHLE Engine Components
2010
Northern Wings Repair, Inc.
2024
U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens
State Sen. Jeff Irwin
State Rep. Angela Witwer
2023
U.S. Senator Gary Peters
State Senator Mary Cavanagh
State Representative Will Snyder
2022
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
State Senator Mallory McMorrow
State Rep. Greg VanWoerkom
2021
Representative Beth Griffin
2020
Representative Sarah Anthony
2019
Senator Ken Horn
2017
Senator Jim Stamas
2016
Senator Tom Casperson
2015
Representative Joel Johnson
2014
Representative Andy Schor
2011
Senator Bruce Caswell
2010
Representative Joan Bauer
Representative Kate Segal
2025
Chris Standerford
MiSTEM Network
2024
John Kerr
DENSO
2023
Abdul (Al) Haidous
SEMCA Michigan Works!
2022
Robert Showers
Clinton County Board of Commissioners
2021
Edith Suttles
Diversified Environmental Services
2020
Charlie Mahoney
Four-M Associates Communications Group / SEMCA Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board
2019
Chris Holman
Michigan Business Network
2018
Frank Lopez
Aztec Manufacturing Corporation
2017
Jane Doty
CAMW! Workforce Development Board / H&H Restaurants, Inc.
2016
Tom Begin
Consumers Energy
2015
Rob Neering
Roll Rite LLC
2014
David R. Adams
Northwest Michigan Workforce Development Board
2013
Jim Kettinger
Urban(e) Development Services
2012
Steve Pontbriand
System's Control
2011
Lisa Wiley Parker
Recruiter Uncensored
2010
David R. Adams
Northwest Michigan Council of Governments
2008
Randall Yagiela
Regional Solutions Center
2007
Mike King
WILX-TV 10
2024 & 2025
Michigan Works! Southwest Workforce Development Board
2023
Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren Workforce Development Board
2018
Kinexus Board of Directors
2017
Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board
2016
Networks Northwest Workforce Development Board
2015
Kent/Allegan/Barry Workforce Development Board
2014
Michigan Works! the Job Force Board
2013
Detroit Workforce Development Board
2012
Capital Area Michigan Works!
2011
South Central Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board
2010
Michigan Works! Berrien Cass Van Buren Workforce Development Board
2025
Mohibullah Israr, Capital Area Michigan Works
Robert Shimkoski, Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation
Hollie Papist, Michigan Works! Great Lakes Bay Region
Connie Williams, GST Michigan Works!
Bridgette Harris, Michigan Works! Macomb/St. Clair
Allegra Hulsey, Michigan Works! Berrien/Cass/Van Buren
Kimberly Schultz, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium
Lisa Schwerin, Michigan Works! Region 7B
Patty Sudbay, Michigan Works! Southeast
Kathy Olsen, Michigan Works! Southwest
Andrew Middleton, Michigan Works! West Central
Kate Stolarski, Northwest Michigan Works!
David Straka, Oakland County Michigan Works!
Louis Sterling, SEMCA Michigan Works! (posthumously)
Sarah Micheau, Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
Amanda Balcom, West Michigan Works!
2024
Kere Milow, Capital Area Michigan Works!
Michael Davis, Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation
Ann Wallaker, Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!
Maria Hernandez Rodriguez, GST Michigan Works!
Carolyn Reliford, Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!
Mark O'Reilly: Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren
Christina Southwell, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium
Michelle Dyment, Michigan Works! Region 7B
Joshua Rose, Michigan Works! Southeast
Lynette Page, Southwest Michigan Works!
Kelly Miller, Michigan Works! West Central
Lisa Melnyk, Northwest Michigan Works!
Lisa Straske, Oakland County Michigan Works!
Linda Betz, SEMCA Michigan Works!
Amy Fleury, Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
Tory Bol, West Michigan Works!
2023
Amirika Richardson
Capital Area Michigan Works!
Brandise Tyler
Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation
Mary Avila
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!
Amanda Osborn
GST Michigan Works!
Evylon Hubbard
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!
Josh Cosner
Berrien, Cass, Van Buren Michigan Works!
Jeanie Flory
Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium
Heidi Keith
Northwest Michigan Works!
Mona Diegel
Oakland County Michigan Works!
Jean Hollenbeck
Michigan Works! Region 7B
Kathleen Newton
SEMCA Michigan Works!
Maggie Flaherty
Michigan Works! Southeast
Barb Travis
Michigan Works! Southwest
Stacey Ringler
Michigan Works! West Central
Tonya Heikkinen
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
Linda Fonger
West Michigan Works!
2022
Joe Winkiel
Capital Area Michigan Works!
Emily Bergt
Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation
Sandy Gallagher
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!
Sharis Reaves
GST Michigan Works!
Mary Beth Bradford
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!
Diane Young
Berrien, Cass, Van Buren Michigan Works!
Edie Kerr
Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium
Brenda Lake
Northwest Michigan Works!
Jillian Geyman
Oakland County Michigan Works!
Marty Roberts
Michigan Works! Region 7B
Michelle Matney
SEMCA Michigan Works!
Pam Gosla
Michigan Works! Southeast
Stefanie Peters
Michigan Works! Southwest
Vanessa Wolgamot
Michigan Works! West Central
Melinda Fleming
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
Eddie Solis
West Michigan Works!
2021
Genell Dorty
Capital Area Michigan Works!
Ayonda Grant
Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation
Sheril Tarrant
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!
JulAnn Kuenzli
GST Michigan Works!
Lori Hampton
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!
Kelly Wilson
Berrien, Cass, Van Buren Michigan Works!
Yolanda Romel
Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium
Pam Anderson
Northwest Michigan Works!
Denise VanHee
Oakland County Michigan Works!
Anna Hetherington
Michigan Works! Region 7B
Justin Skibin
SEMCA Michigan Works!
Stacy Reese
Michigan Works! Southeast
Blaine Farr
Michigan Works! Southwest
Renee Pickard
Michigan Works! West Central
Russell Utych
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
Wave Burns
West Michigan Works!
2020
Elaine Eikenberry
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
Julie DeRose
Capital Area Michigan Works!
Tania Diaz
Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation
Thomas Luck
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!
Scott Beattie
GST Michigan Works!
Roy Taylor
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!
Karla Grady-Walker
Berrien, Cass, Van Buren Michigan Works!
Alicia Wallace
Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium
Brenda Lake
Northwest Michigan Works!
Shanell Shelby
Oakland County Michigan Works!
Vicky Stickler
Michigan Works! Region 7B
Iman Shami
SEMCA Michigan Works!
Sunshine Plato
Michigan Works! Southeast
Dawn Millar
Michigan Works! Southwest
Don Palmer
Michigan Works! West Central
Kesha Sain
West Michigan Works!
2019
Linda Webb
ACSET West Michigan Works!
Teri Sand
Capital Area Michigan Works!
Carla Phelps
Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation
George Wright
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!
Wanda Bigelow
GST Michigan Works!
John Babcock
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!
Rick VanIttersum
Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren
Jessie Trumble
Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium
Ed Baldwin
Michigan Works! Southeast
Jennifer Kempnow
Michigan Works! Southwest
Cassie Smith
Michigan Works! West Central
Mary Szwed
Northwest Michigan Works!
Mona DeFrancesco
Oakland County Michigan Works!
Robert Balzer
Michigan Works! Region 7B
Paulette Marshall
SEMCA Michigan Works!
Amy Kraatz
UPward Talent Council Michigan Works!
2018
Alayne Hansen
Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium
2017
Lester Gayden
Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation
2016
Devin Gray
Southgate Michigan Works!
2015
Michelle Socha
Northwest Michigan Works!
2014
Steve Finch
Northwest Michigan Works! Beaver Island Lighthouse School
2013
Dianne Peterson
Michigan Works! Region 7B
2012
Jill Carter
Ingham Intermediate School District
2011
Beverly Silver
Detroit One-Stop Service Center - East
2010
Sharron Elliot
South Central Michigan Works!
2009
Gail Granville
Calhoun Intermediate School District
Cathy Wilhm
Capital Area Michigan Works!
Jerry Williams
Central Area Michigan Works! Consortium
Cerell Golden
Detroit Workforce Development Department, A Michigan Works! Agency
D. Raymond Cook
Eastern Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
Brittany Lenertz
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!
Jo Ann Alexander
Michigan Works! The Job Force Board/Six County Employment Alliance
Cincy Sullivan
Kalamazoo-St. Joseph Michigan Works!
Judy Buchholz
Livingston County Michigan Works!
Catherine Pomaville
Macomb/St. Clair Workforce Development Board
Sonya Barrett
Muskegon/Oceana Consortium
Tamara Ward
Northeast Michigan Consortium
Mary Rose Farrington
Northwest Michigan Council of Government
Dorothy Kaltz
Oakland County Michigan Works!
Judy Walters
Ottawa County Michigan Works!
Teresa Sheltrown
Michigan Works! Region 7B Employment and Training Consortium
Alvie Dungy
South Central Michigan Works!
Lisa Kurtzhals & Lisa Wayne
Southwest Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) Michigan Works!
Employment Builders Alliance (EBA), ThumbWorks!, A Michigan Works! Agency
Marie Hall
Michigan Works! West Central
Western Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! Staff, Western Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
2025
Mark Massicotte
2024
Kristen Wenzel
2023
Kandyce Smith
2022
Carrie Rosingana
2020
Jennifer Llewellyn
2019
Anisa Mazuca
2018
Edyth Hatter-Williams
2017
Stephanie Beckhorn
2016
Jody Kerbyson
2015
Jacob Maas
2014
Ben Damerow
2013
Orrin Bailey
2012
Christine Quinn
2011
Elaine Wood
2010
Robert Straits
2009
Stanley Stewart
2008
Elane Furu-Baker
2007
Doug Stites
2006
Janet Howard
2005
J.Michael Zelley
2004
Will Carne
2003
Juanita Pierman
2002
Vicki Enright
2001
William Stanek
2000
Rich Wombach
1999
Ralph Loeschner
1998
Don Lesniowski
1997
Steve Cleland
1996
John Weimer
1995
Bob Pendleton
1994
Marvin Pichla
1993
Lynwood Roe
1992
Trenda Rusher
1991
Paul Griffith
1990
Kay Penner
1989
Win Rowe
1988
Bud Shipstead
1987
Weldon Burden
2022
Orrin Bailey
Michigan Works! The Job Force Board
2019
Stephanie Beckhorn
Labor and Economic Opportunity -- WD
2018
Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency
2020
Christine Quinn
2017
Orrin Bailey
UPWARD Talent Council
2016
John Almstadt
Oakland County Michigan Works!
2015
John H. Bierbusse
Macomb/St. Clair Workforce Development Board
2014
Elaine Wood
Northwest Michigan Council of Governments
2013
Dr. Lynne Haley
LHJ Services, Inc.
2012
Will Carne
Michigan Works! The Job Force Board
2011
Christine Quinn
South Central Michigan Works!
2010
Arnie Redsicker
Michigan Works! Berrien Cass Van Buren
2009
Paul Arsenault
Six County Employment Alliance
2007
Michael Jones
Consumers Energy
2006
Sen. Valde Garcia
2005
Doug Stites
Capital Area Michigan Works!
2004
Frank Lopez
SEMCA
Rey Guzman
Labor and Economic Opportunity -- WD
2008
Sharon Reed
Saginaw Midland Bay Michigan Works!
Vickie Micheau
Michigan Works! the Job Force Board/Six County Alliance
2007
Wilma Widler
Kalamazoo-St. Joseph Michigan Works!
Connie Miller
Eaton Intermediate School District
2006
Sara Butler
Greenville (Gratiot-Isabella RESD)
Andrea Fisher
Princing & Ewend
2005
Anna Marie Gonzales
Livingston County Michigan Works!
Youth Advisory Council
Sanilac County Community Foundation
Tammy Halsey
Capital Area Michigan Works!
2004
Kathy Salow
Michigan Works! the Job Force/Six County Employment Alliance
Carol Wilson-Marlow
Thumb Area Michigan Works!
Southgate Michigan Works! Service Center
2003
Lorraine Day
Michigan Works! Berrien-Cass-Van Buren
Jackie Earle
Michigan Works! The Job Board/Six County Employment Alliance
HI-TECH/Amerimedia, Inc.
2008
Mason County Manufacturers Association
Anthony Retaskie
Upper Peninsula Construction Council
2008
Joel Schultx
Region 1 - Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center
2007
Pat Caruso
Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC)
2006
Chris Holman
Greater Lansing Business Monthly (GLBM)
2005
Dorothy Quinn
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth/Rehabilitation Services
2004
Midwest Skills Development Center
2007
Dave Hansen
Magna Powertrain
2006
Lena Barkley
CVS/pharmacy
Deborah Darcy
Community Mental Health
2005
Iron Mountain Records Management
Charlotte Goodwill Retail Store
2004
Symmetry Medical, Inc. - Jet
Barnard Manufacturing, Inc.
2003
Jalayne Bennett
Anne Gogel
2006
Alfred J. Hendra
Marquette General Healthcare System
2005
John Nagy
2004
Lynn Matzen
2003
Charlie Mahoney
Lake Michigan College
Williamston Community Schools
Roger Gustafson