Previous winners of the Business Person of the Year, for their outstanding involvement in the community, the Savage Chamber and their business’ have been:

• 1996 - Tom Hansen: First Community Bank
• 1997 - Joyce Christiansen-Bohn: formerly of Somewhere in Time, now the Peacock Inn, Chaska
• 1998 - Joe Cade: law firm of Eastlund, Solstad, Cade & Hutchinson
• 1999 - Ron Cin: principal, Marion W Savage Elementary School
• 2000 - Barry Stock: Savage City Administrator
• 2001 - Rob Fendler: Fendler Construction
• 2002 - Janet Williams: former Scott County Librarian & current city councilperson
• 2003 - Mark Roberts: Anchor Iron / Eagle Creek Gallery
• 2004 - Jens Bohn: Razors Edge Barbers
• 2005 – David Fong: D’Fong’s Chinese Cuisine
• 2006 - Jerry Young: Twin Cities GMAC
• 2007 - Ray Leathers: Advantage Performance Network
• 2008 - Dr. Stephanie Hurst: Family Vision Clinic
• 2009 - Doug and Kelly Storbeck: Primrose School of Savage

Doug and Kelly Storbeck
Named 2009 Business Person of The Year!

Doug and Kelly Storbeck, owners of Primrose School of Savage were named the 2009 Business Person of the Year at the Holiday Fundraiser Event held on Thursday, November 19th.

The Storbeck’s received this prestigious award based upon their interest and involvement in the  Community, being an active member of the Savage Chamber of Commerce, and  successful in their chosen profession. 

Doug and Kelly have been involved in the Community and a Member of the Chamber before even opening their doors for business 4 years ago.   They started their business from the ground up.  They had many obstacles to overcome being the first of their kind in Minnesota.  They had to promote a brand and a business that had no recognition in the area.  Their dedication, perseverance, and professional attitude is just three of the things that  helped them  accomplish their goal and their dream to now be the proud owners  of the successful preschool known as the Primrose School of Savage.  There are now eight Primrose Schools open in Minnesota. 

Primrose School of Savage has a character development program that enables children to learn about giving back to the community, something Doug and Kelly not only believe in, but demonstrates every day.  They hold food drives, toy drives and book drives!  Other events for supporting the community include a Spring Fling event to raise money for local charity and the school’s Adopt-A-Grandparent program, where they partner with Sarah Care Adult Day Services so both young and old can benefit.  As you can see partnerships and community involvement are important to Doug and Kelly.  For the past 4 years Primrose School of Savage has been a proud Gold Sponsor of Dan Patch Days.  In addition to sponsorship, they volunteer at the event as well!  The Storbeck’s are also involved in the school districts. Kelly has served on numerous round tables and committees in both ISD 719 and ISD191.  Just this past fall, Primrose helped raise $800 for “Brainpower in a BackPack”, a program started by a community outreach teacher in ISD 191,to help elementary kids in need bring home healthy foods for the weekend.  The money Doug and Kelly raised filled 50 backpacks for a month, and as no surprise…. Kelly and Doug went to the school and helped pack all 50 of those backpacks!

Doug and Kelly firmly believe that “Being involved in and with the community is what owning a business in Savage is all about, especially when the business is educating the community’s future business owners.” 

Their involvement in the Chamber is extensive! Doug has served on the Board of Directors since he signed up as a Member and has been our fearless leader and President of the Chamber for the past 2 years.  Kelly has served on the Program committee for the past three years, while holding down the fort at Primrose, so Doug can be out and about taking care of “Chamber Business”!  Doug has served on numerous committees: Membership, WinterFest, Holiday Fundraiser and…. every other “Fest” or event or idea that the Chamber tries to launch!  Doug and Kelly are wonderful role models in the business community and true Chamber Supporters!  Congratulations Doug and Kelly!!

Involved, Successful, Interested in the Betterment of the Community?

Please take a moment to think of your fellow Chamber Members who are actively trying to make Savage a better place to work and live, and are successful in their chosen profession. There are many deserving Chamber Members who are worthy of being nominated for the Business Person of the Year. Please use the form enclosed in the newsletter to nominate a candidate.

Business Person of the Year Criteria

1. Active member of the Savage Chamber of Commerce

2. Savage business or branch

3. Position of authority of responsibility

4. Active interest in the betterment of the business community

5. Active interest in community affairs

6. Recognized as a leader in the community

7. Successful in their chosen profession

8. Business or professional person

We will post when we will be accepting nominations for the 2009 Business Person of the Year.

The business person of the year was created in 1996 in an effort to recognize outstanding service to the Chamber and the community in general. Nominations are made by members of the Chamber, and a committee of recent recipients of the award judges those nominations based on the following criteria:

• Active membership in the Savage Chamber of Commerce
• Interest in the betterment of the business community
• Active interest in Savage community affairs
• And, finally, success in their chosen profession or business.