The 109th annual dinner and awards program saw educators, Citizen of the Year, and a business honored
By DAVE SCHULTZ
The 109th annual dinner and awards program sponsored by the Wells County Chamber of Commerce honored Kody Kumfer as the Citizen of the Year, Trusted Solutions Group Inc. as the Business of the Year, and three teachers — Jacob Amstutz of Bluffton-Harrison Elementary School, Kevin Morris of Norwell High School, and Leigh Lieurance of Southern Wells Elementary School — as their respective school district’s Educators of the Year.
The dinner took time to review the year the Wells County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development had, but the large crowd that assembled at the Wells County Community Center at the 4-H Park Tuesday night was generous with its applause as the honors were officially handed out.
Kumfer works at Forgotten Children Worldwide and he was introduced by Matt Hartsell, the executive director of FCW. Kumfer is Hartsell’s designated successor, and he was effusive in his parade. “The world could use a few more Kody Kumfers,” Hartsell said.
Kumfer said he has wondered why he was chosen to live in the United States of America while so much of the world struggles in poverty. He is trying to do his part and challenged those in the audience to do their part. “People across the world need an advocate,” he said.
Lane Gerber of Ossian-based Trusted Solutions Group Inc., remembered that he was a freshman in high school when his parents, Mike and Cheryl Gerber, bought a small business on Cherry Street in Bluffton. His thoughts at the time were simple: “What in the world are my parents doing?” he asked himself.
That business now has 70 employees and has remade itself several times. He provided several phrases the company lives by, including “Your needs first, it’s a promise” and “We know metal so you don’t have to.”
He thanked his wife, Christen; his parents; his team at Trusted; and the community for their support.
Gerber and his company were introduced by Todd Schrock.
The three teachers were celebrated for their ability to connect with students. They were introduced by Mike Sailsbery, who retired 30 years ago from 24 years as the superintendent at Northern Wells Community Schools. His family continues to support the educators’ awards.
Other highlights brought forward during the evening:
• Erin Daugherty was named the Chamber Ambassador of the Year.
• The chamber reported 29 ribbon cuttings and three groundbreakings — at 20/20 Custom Molded Plastics, at Rethceif Packaging, and Pena’s Mechanical — during 2022.
• The chamber had 262 members 10 years ago. That number is now 460.
• The Wells County Leadership Academy has graduated 14 classes and will graduate its 15th class this May. Applications are now being accepted for next year’s class.
Erin Prible, the chamber’s executive director, and Chad Kline, Wells County’s director of economic development, reported on their agencies’ efforts.
daves@news-banner.com
