By HOLLY GASKILL
In just under a week, Bluffton will be represented by an ‘honorary citizen’ in Brazil.
During a special send-off Wednesday afternoon, Mayor John Whicker recognized Silvio Billo as an ‘honorary Bluffton citizen.’ Billo has worked as the managing director of WEG Commercial Motors in Bluffton since 2016 when WEG acquired Bluffton Motor Works.
According to WEG Finance Leader John Stauffer, the company has invested over $25 million in capital equipment and facility improvements under Billo’s leadership. Billo has also been personally involved in numerous local organizations.
After eight years of investment in the company and community, Billo is moving Tuesday to work at WEG’s headquarters in Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil.
“Congratulations on your outstanding leadership and dedicated service to the Bluffton community,” Whicker said during the presentation. “Since 2016, Silvio has significantly enhanced our local operations through substantial investments and improvements. His unwavering support for community organizations and events has made a lasting impact, fostering a stronger and more connected community. Thank you, Silvio, for your invaluable contributions and commitment to Bluffton.”
“I love this place — and it’s really not just a speech, guys, I will miss this place,” Billo said, adding with a quick joke, “especially my friends from River Terrace.” While not near retirement age, Billo has struck up friendships in the neighborhood.
Billo continued, again mixing humor with sentimentalities, “And I’ll be back, so don’t be happy — I’ll be back. We have an engineering team that’s under our area there in Brazil — we are going to continue to invest in product development to bring new business opportunities to this place. So you’re gonna see me in the Walmart, in the El Camino Real (when I’m back).”
Also celebrating Billo’s impact and transition were multiple WEG employees, including Julio Ramires from the company’s board of directors, community and business leaders, and state and local elected officials.
“Since your leadership … you’ve really changed the culture,” said Erin Prible, executive director of the Wells County Chamber of Commerce. “The perception of WEG has just been outstanding, and getting your employees involved in the community has just been a turning point.”
Billo is succeeded in the role by Ravi Jagannathan, who comes to the plant from India. Whicker also presented Jagannathan with a certificate welcoming him to the community.
Now with honorary citizenship, Billo joked to Whicker, “To be honest, I was thinking about being the next mayor of Bluffton.”
“Well, one of the things with being an honorary citizen is we don’t tax you,” Whicker chuckled.
holly@news-banner.com
