2026 Grow Wabash County Annual Dinner Celebration - Gaunt & Son Asphalt, Inc.

News Release

Contact: Jana Thibos, Grow Wabash County, 260.563.5258, jana@growwabashcounty.com

2026 GWC Annual Dinner celebrates community & business champions 

Wabash County, IN (August 14, 2026) – Grow Wabash County (GWC) hosted its 2026 Annual Dinner Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 8th, to recognize some of Wabash County’s greatest champions and supporters. 

Roderick Schram once again emceed, keeping the show running smoothly and recognizing the many sponsors who made the night’s event possible. 

Before the evening's awards presentations, Grow Wabash County Board Chair Tod Minnich reflected on the organization's theme, Paving the Way to a Better Wabash County, emphasizing the importance of connecting people, businesses, communities, and opportunities. Minnich highlighted the momentum from business development, entrepreneurship, workforce initiatives, community development projects, and partnerships that continue to move Wabash County forward.  

At the annual business meeting, Grow Wabash County members approved renewing board terms for Patrick Sullivan (third term) and Mark Ford (first full term). Members also elected two new directors to the Board of Directors: Marie Coffman, owner of Bright Door Rentals LLC, and Steven Stanfield, Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of Wabash County, both beginning their first terms. Minnich noted that each brings valuable leadership experience, community involvement, and a shared commitment to advancing Grow Wabash County's mission and vision for the future. 

Following the annual meeting, Tenille Zartman, President and CEO of Grow Wabash County, delivered the organization's annual update using the theme Paving the Way to a Better Wabash County. Framing her remarks as a journey through the county, Zartman highlighted the people, projects, businesses, entrepreneurs, educators, volunteers, and community leaders working together to build a stronger future. She also recognized the Grow Wabash County Board of Directors, volunteers, and staff for their commitment to advancing opportunities across Wabash County. 

"The future doesn't just happen. Someone must clear the path, build the base, and pave the way," Zartman said. “That is what happens every day across Wabash County through the partnerships, investments, and community leadership we celebrated tonight. As we look toward the next decade of Grow Wabash County, the road ahead is bright. Thank you for investing in Wabash County and helping pave the way to a better future." 

Grow Wabash County also celebrated some of the organization’s partners who have gone above and beyond to support GWC’s mission and commitment to helping our communities grow. 

Zartman presented the 2026 Volunteer of the Year award to Marilyn Custer-Mitchell, who has served on the Grow Wabash County board for nearly a decade. Custer-Mitchell has been an essential partner in Grow Wabash County’s ongoing work to bring growth and investment to all of Wabash County. 

Jana Thibos, project manager for Grow Wabash County and chair of the Young Professionals of Wabash County board, was then invited onstage to present the 2026 Emerging Leader Award to Cody Flager-Lee for his ongoing dedication and service to Wabash County.  

Minnich then took the podium to spotlight the 2026 Business of the Year, Gaunt & Son Asphalt, Inc. Sam Knight, Vice President, and Anthony Sorg, Project Manager, took the stage to accept the award on behalf of Gaunt & Son Asphalt, Inc. The company recently celebrated 45 years in business and is locally owned and operated by the third generation. Michael and Georgianna Hileman founded the company in 1981, and it has proudly served the Wabash County community for the last 45 years. One thing that hasn't changed over the last four-plus decades is the commitment to the values its founders established: hard work, integrity, quality workmanship, and customer service. Gaunt & Son also prides itself on its ongoing support for the Wabash County community, often offering their time and talents to many local projects and causes.

As is tradition, the event’s finale named the 2026 Distinguished Citizen.  Ellen Stouffer Phillips, who received the Distinguished Citizen award in 2025 along with her late husband, Bill Stouffer, shared facts and stories about this year’s recipients before announcing the awardees: Amy and Mark Ford. Together, they embody the spirit of community stewardship and visionary leadership, consistently championing projects that enhance, beautify and strengthen Wabash County, while often taking on challenges others deem too difficult or ambitious to pursue, with initiative and determination.

Grow Wabash County thanks all the businesses and organizations that sponsored this year’s Annual Dinner Celebration.

Platinum Sponsors: City of Wabash; Intertech Products; J.M. Reynolds Oil Co.

Gold Sponsors: Crossroads Bank; Eads & Son Bulldozing; Visit Wabash County

Social Hour Sponsors: Apex Benefits; Lundquist Appraisals & Real Estate; Honeywell Arts & Entertainment

Silver Sponsors: BABE of Wabash County; Beacon Credit Union; Ford Meter Box Company; Intrasect; Josiah Whites; MPS Egg Farms; Nuway Construction; Parkview Wabash Hospital; Schlemmer Brothers Metalworks, Inc.; Sorg Consulting; The Hagerman Group; Troy Eads Excavating

Bronze Sponsors: Bowen Health; Hoosier Jiffy Print; Manchester University; Regional Chamber of NE Indiana; Town of North Manchester; Tulip Tree Title

Copper Sponsors: Halderman Real Estate & Farm Management; JJ’s Convenience Stores; Pro Resources Staffing Services; Shepherd’s Chevrolet GMC of Wabash; Wabash MPI/Carver Inc.

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About Grow Wabash County 

Grow Wabash County (legal name Wabash County Business Alliance Inc.) is a not-for-profit corporation that spearheads economic and community development efforts in Wabash County, Indiana.  GWC is designed around five pillars of service - assisting business development needs, promoting livability, fostering entrepreneurship, supporting workforce development, and offering programming and investor services.  GWC was formed with the merger of the EDG of Wabash County and Wabash County Chamber of Commerce in July 2017.  For more information about GWC, please visit www.growwabashcounty.com or call us at 260.563.5258 

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