HANOVER, Ind. (February 2004) – Ivy Tech State College educator Margaret Seifert of Hanover and Steinhardt Heating & Cooling were honored by the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 21 during its annual banquet at Hanover College for their contributions to the community.

Photo by Don Ward Margaret Seifert is congratulated.

Seifert was awarded the chamber’s Community Service Award, while Tony and Phyllis of Steinhardt Heating & Cooling accepted the chamber’s Business Service Award. Julie Wattenbarger of Manpower was named the Chamber Ambassador of the Year.
“It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we all work together,” said Seifert upon reaching the podium after receiving congratulatory hugs from chamber members as she made her way from the back of the room. “Madison, Hanover and Jefferson County – that’s what we’re all about when we work together. It’s a wonderful place to live.”
Seifert’s list of contributions to community is lengthy. The former dean of students at Hanover College, she now works two jobs at Ivy Tech – she directs library services distance education.
She serves as president of the Hanover Town Council; president of the Girls Club of Jefferson County board; vice chairman of the Town of Hanover Planning Commission; president of Hanover College Faculty Women’s Club; chairs the Chamber of Commerce Workshop; an officer at Hanover United Methodist Church.
She has been honored by several organizations and earned numerous awards for outstanding service. Recently, she was instrumental in leading a resource study of the Madison-Jefferson County Public Library, whose board over which she presides.
“This outstanding person has been called a mentor, someone who believes, a role model, someone who leads by example,” said Tony Steinhardt in presenting the award to Seifert.

Photo by Don Ward Phyllis and Tony Steinhardt receive award.

Steinhardt himself was familiar to the chamber banquet podium, after having won the Community Service Award last year and serving as chamber president two years ago.
“We want to just share this award with our employees,” he said, asking them to stand to be recognized. “We want to continue to support this great community we live in.”
David Sutherland of Madison Precision Products Inc. presented the award to the Steinhardts, listing dozens of organizations that have benefitted from their support. He also cited the company employees’ generous volunteer hours to many community projects.
More than 350 people attended the banquet, during which new officers are officially installed. Outgoing chamber president Bev Ford of Sherman Barber & Mullikin CPAs handed over the gavel to 2004 president Tim Breeding of Teton Corp. Other officers for 2004 include Scott Hubbard of Arvin Sango Inc. as vice president; and Kathe Hoffman of Once Upon A Time as treasurer. The new board of directors also were introduced.
Ford was among three past chamber presidents from Sherman, Barber & Mullikin, the only company to hold that honor in the chamber’s 80-year history.
The evening was highlighted by a slide show of activities from the previous year and a raucous “reverse draw” raffle for a jackpot worth $2,500. Mike Bruce of Hanover College won the money after purchasing one of the 100 raffle tickets that were sold at $50 each.
Other prizes, such as a night’s stay at Belterra Resort Casino, were given away. Chamber executive director Jeff Garrett drew raffle tickets throughout the evening, then called on Madison Mayor Al Huntington and Belterra’s Mario Maesano to draw the remaining five numbers.