The Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association has announced the 2003 Top Brass award winners, to be honored during the Chamber’s 16th Annual Awards Luncheon set for noon on Wednesday, April 23, at the Hotel Colorado.

The Top Brass award recognizes business and personal achievements, business expansions or milestones of local individuals and companies during 2002.

Top Brass businesses

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The Flower Mart received the national Teleflora Top 2000 Award, given to the top 5 percent of florists in North America.

Paradise Day Spa expanded from a one-person salon to a spacious new facility with four hair stylists, a facial room, a body treatment room, a manicure and pedicure area and two tanning units.

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The Property Shop received several distinctions during its first year in business, most notably being the brokerage with the highest dollar volume sold over all other individual Glenwood Springs real estate offices.

Kurt Wigger and the Sopris Restaurant are celebrating 30 years in business in Glenwood Springs and Wigger has made many generous contributions to the community.

The Springs Theatre replaced the theater’s mono sound system with a Dolby Digital Stereo Surround system.

Structural Associates Co. was chosen for operating in Glenwood Springs for 22 years, employing 100 people and for completing the Garfield County Courthouse Plaza on 8th Street.

Valley Wellness Center was honored for offering a free lecture series, free health fair and free services at events such as Race For the Cure and the ESPN X-Games.

Village Inn won for receiving four national awards, including being ranked fourth Village Inn franchise store in the nation, No. 1 in guest count increase, and No. 1 in sales increase. Manager Ted Churchill was named National Franchise Manager of the Year.

WestStar Bank, at 801 Grand Ave., won for its renovation and restoration of the 1913 Citizens National Bank to its original glory.

Top Brass individuals

Amy Luetke was featured in the May 2002 issue (and on the cover) of National Realtor magazine as one of “30 Realtors Under 30.”

Kelly Whittington with Alpine Bank worked on the downtown retail and restaurant committee for “Night on the Town” in December.

Kimberly Henrie is being honored for her true and personal story that was selected from thousands of entries for publication in “Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman’s Soul.”

Kim Hilderbrand with Colorado West Regional Mental Health received the 2002 Award for Excellence in Treatment Services from the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of Colorado.

Teacher Mike Wilde, with Glenwood Springs High School, received the 2002 RadioShack National Teacher Award.

Athena award

This year’s luncheon also marks the 10th year for the annual ATHENA award. The award honors an exceptional local woman who helps other women reach their full leadership potential.

The ATHENA recipient also must devote her time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community and demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in her business or profession.

The 2003 ATHENA recipient will be announced during the awards luncheon.

Some previous ATHENA recipients include Dr. Cynthia Heelan of Colorado Mountain College in 1999, Debbie Wilde of Youth Zone in 2000, former newspaper publisher Martha Cochran in 2001 and Mary Steinbrecher, former City Councilwoman and community volunteer, in 2002.

Ticket information

Tickets for the luncheon are for $23 for members, $30 for non-members and $250 for a corporate table seating for 10. Purchase tickets by Monday, April 21, by contacting Shiela Mugford at the Chamber at 945-6589.

For questions or more information on the awards luncheon, contact Raelyn Westley, director of membership development, at 945-6589 or by e-mail to raelyn@glenwoodchamber.com.