The Arvada Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual dinner on January 21, 2011 at the Arvada Center. The organization honored Mahnke Auto Body with its Business of the Year Award and Pat Schassburger with the Trump Network with the Ambassador of the Year Award.
More than 200 attendees including Arvada Chamber members, AEDA board members, Arvada government representatives and local business owners attended the dinner, which raised more than $5,000 for the organization through its silent and paddle auctions.
“The Arvada Chamber’s annual dinner is one of my favorite events because it gives us the opportunity to recognize business leaders in Arvada that make a difference,” said Dot Wright, chamber president. “Gary Mahnke and Pat Schassburger are active and well-recognized in the Arvada community and bring amazing leadership to our chamber.”
For thirty-five years, Mahnke Auto Body has been a continual source of employment for many Arvada citizens by providing collision repairs for several thousand vehicles. Local families have trusted Mahnke to repair their trucks, cars and fleet vehicles for five generations.
Throughout his career, Gary Mahnke has improved the standards and accountability of the collision repair industry in Colorado. The nation’s largest insurance companies list Mahnke Auto Body among their preferred vendors because of the vigorous training provided to employees and service excellence given to every customer.
Daryl Christenson, Gary Mahnke and Dot Wright
Mahnke supports the community’s children by making donations to local schools, sponsoring softball teams and participating in Eagle Scout and church projects. Mahnke is involved in Arvada through its participation in the Arvada Festival Parade, Historic Olde Town Arvada events and sponsoring Arvada Chamber golf tournaments. Mahnke has donated to the Ralston House and supported the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth.
“I don’t remember doing all of these things,” Gary Mahnke jokingly said. “There are so many excellent and community-focused businesses in Arvada, so receiving this award is a great honor for me and all my employees, without whom I couldn’t have done this.”
Dot Wright and Pat Schassburger
Ambassador of the Year recipient Pat Schassburger with the Trump Network acts as a liaison between the Arvada Chamber and its membership. She visits new and renewing members to help them better utilize their membership and take advantage of the benefits offered by the Arvada Chamber. She attends and helps with many Arvada Chamber events, including ribbon cuttings, membership luncheons, breakfasts and business after hours. Of particular note, Schassburger was an active volunteer with the Taste of Arvada and the 1st annual Light the Chamber events. She is well-recognized among the Arvada Chamber’s membership and in the community. Schassburger has been an ambassador since August of 2009.
“When I left the corporate world, I missed the working relationships I left behind. Working as an ambassador has allowed me to fill that void while serving the community I love,” said Pat Schassburger. “Equally important are the friendships I’ve made with the other ambassadors, who are such a great group of people.”
