WEDA PROGRAMS

Professional Awards

Awards Program Details

In 1985, WEDA established a Professional Awards program with the purpose of recognizing exceptional contributions to the economic vitality of Wisconsin. WEDA presents the following three professional Awards:

  • Organizational Excellence Award
  • Andy Lisak Young Professional Award
  • Frederick C. Pearce Award

These awards are presented at the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development on alternating years. They provide an excellent opportunity to recognize accomplishments of individuals and organizations that are making significant contributions to the field of economic development at the local, regional or state level. If you have any questions, please contact WEDA staff at weda@weda.org.

2023/24 WEDA Professional Award Winners

Mary Gage
2023 Frederick C Pearce
Award Winner

VJS Construction
2023 Organizational Excellence
Award Winner

Melissa Meschke
2024 Andy Lisak Young Professional
Award Winner

Past Winners By Category

Frederick C Pearce Award

(Odd Years)

  • Mary Gage

  • James Otterstein
  • Roger Nacker & John Stibal
  • Chris Swartz
  • Mike Harrigan
  • Tom Mihjalov
  • Jim Hough
  • Bruce Wm Mommaerts
  • Craig Carlson
  • Merlin Zitzner
  • Larry D. Krause
  • Hartford Area Development Corp.
  • Robert R. Brown III
  • Michael Anderson
  • Robert B. Fick
  • Gov. Tommy Thompson
  • Robert Walraven
  • Robert Houle & Russell Bauman

Organizational Excellence Award

(Odd Years)

  • VJS Construction
  • MCDEVCO
  • WBD
  • Sheboygan County EDC
  • Madison Regional Economic Partnership
  • Chippewa Valley Technical College
  • Chippewa County EDC
  • City of Prairie du Chien
  • Fond du Lac County EDC
  • Kempert Krogan
  • Timbercreek Development
  • City of Eau Claire – Michael Schatz
  • City of West Allis
  • School of Ind. & Technology (UW-Stout)
  • WI State Senate/ WI State Assembly
  • Experimental Aircraft Association
  • Jane & Lloyd Pettit

Andy Lisak Young Professional Award

(Even Years)

  • Melissa Meschke

  • Melissa Hunt
  • Angel Whitehead
  • Ger Thao
  • Coleman Peiffer
  • Shannon Full