MARINETTE -- The Marinette Area Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2004 Person of the Year, Business of the Year, and Achievement in Education Award recipients.

These awards will be presented at the 65th Marinette Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet and Awards Recognition May 11 at Schussler's Supper Club in Peshtigo.

The recipient of the "Person of the Year" award will be Mark Huhtala.

He was selected for his outstanding service to the community and his many years of involvement with the Marinette chamber.

Huhtala regularly sponsors many local sporting events as well as school-related activities in Marinette, Menominee, and Peshtigo.

He has displayed his strong leadership attributes over the past three years as the chamber sought its direction for the future.

Huhtala is owner/operator of Domino's Pizza, a small business started more than 10 years ago with just a few employees. Now it's a nationally recognized franchise store with over four times its initial workforce.

His business won the Small Business of the Year award in 1997.

Huhtala and his wife Patti and two children reside in the Town of Peshtigo.

The recipient of "Small Business of the Year" award will be Nicolet National Bank.

Bob Atwell, Mike Daniels and Jacqui Engebos started Nicolet National Bank in Green Bay, opening on Nov. 1, 2000 with 21 employees.

Some of their investors were from Marinette/Menominee area and Bob Atwell began conversations with Kim Van Osdol in 2001 about opening an office in Marinette or Menominee.

In April of 2001 the Nicolet National Bank Board committed to expanding into Marinette with a full-service branch, and formed a trust department headquartered in Marinette with Steve Albers and David Maguire.

Nicolet National Bank was able to obtain a Michigan Charter and in December 2003 acquired the Republic Bank branch located in Menominee. The impact and success of Nicolet National Bank has been significant in a short period of time.

The 2004 Achievement in Education Award will go to Sidney H. Bremer, campus dean and CEO of UW-Marinette.

Bremer has been at the UW campus for nine years and will be retiring at the end of this school year.

Bremer has been a member of the YMCA Executive Board, the UW-Marinette Foundation Board, a founding member of Wisconsin Women in Higher Education Leadership, Tri-City Women's Network, the American Association of University Women, the Campus/County Working Group, the Marinette Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, and the Society for Values in Higher Education.

Before coming to Marinette, Bremer served 24 years on the faculty of UW-Green Bay, where she co-founded the Woman's Studies Program and won the 1991-92 Excellence in Scholarship award for her book, "Urban Intersections: Meeting of Life and Literature in U.S. Cities." In all, her career in the UW System has spanned 33 years since 1971.

Eighteen businesses will be receiving the Parade of Progress Award. This award is given to businesses that have done exemplary work in exterior maintenance, improvement, or new construction.

These business are: All American Dream Homes, David Stalheim Chiropractic, Stock Building Supply, Thielen Funeral Home, Little River Country Club, Northern Lights Clinic, Waupaca Foundry, Mike Bretl, Bay Area Medical Center, Peshtigo National Bank, County Law Enforcement Center, Nicolet National Bank, Great Lakes Carbide Tool, Miller Action Office, Wisconsin Public Service, Nestegg Marine, Gustman's, and City of Marinette Performance Center.

Reservations for the dinner can be made by calling the Marinette Area Chamber of Commerce office at 715-735-6681. The cost is $20 per person.