2020 Business & Industry award winners named by Marian University

Baker Cheese Company has been named the Business of the Year by Marian University, which recognized its 2020 Business & Industry award winners during a virtual ceremony on Oct. 28.

The 39th annual event was emceed by former Green Bay Packers player and Senior Vice President for University Relations Dr. George Koonce.

Steve Peterson was presented the George Becker Business Spirit Award. Named after George Becker, former president of Giddings & Lewis and a member of Marian University’s Board of Trustees, the award is given to an individual, company, charitable organization or civic group whose good business practices benefit the community, either through the ways they do business or through the recipients’ contribution to the community.

Peterson, a retired manufacturing executive who spent his entire career working for companies headquartered in Fond du Lac, has more than 45 years of leadership in domestic and international manufacturing businesses and a history of local community involvement.

He completed an Engineering Apprenticeship at the Giddings & Lewis Machine Tool Co. and served in many capacities during his 36-year career, eventually becoming President and CEO in 2000. He retired from Giddings & Lewis in 2005 and joined Mid-States Aluminum Corp. as President and CEO until his retirement in 2016.

He currently serves as the board chairman of Society Insurance and as a board member of Mid-States Aluminum Corp. and Agnesian HealthCare.

Other awards presented included:

Community Collaboration Award: The Boyke/Grinstead Family

Economic Development Award: Faris Gourmet Popcorn and Treats/United Manufacturers, Inc.

Entrepreneur of the Year: Sam Meyer

Money raised from the event goes directly to scholarships for students at Marian University. Traditionally, more than 200 individuals from area business communities have celebrated the awards.