New Abilities Center President Praised for Team-Building Skills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2008

The late Jon Lundin, champion of manufacturing, community leader and noted local historian, was recognized by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce as its 2008 Citizen of the Year. The award, the Chamber's highest honor, is given annually in recognition of extraordinary efforts that have positively contributed to the welfare and progress of our community, generally over a period of years. Gloria Lundin, Jon's wife, accepted the award on his behalf, which was presented at the Chamber's Annual Dinner. Lundin passed away in May 2007.

When presenting the award, David Schertz, CEO of OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center and the sponsor of the award said, "As is the case each year, the nomination process and selection of our Citizen of the Year was a challenge. However, after careful review, it quickly became apparent who this year's recipient would be. Not only did Jon distinguish himself through extraordinary acts of citizenship but never before could the selection committee remember one person being nominated by so many people."

Nominators described Jon as, "a civic engineer, a dreamer, a giant, and a tireless promoter of the community." Other nominators went on to describe his "can-do spirit, boundless energy and steely determination to see our community prosper and grow."

Jon Lundin's accomplishments, as noted by his nominators, included the following:

o The development of EIGERlab, a technology incubation center;

o The Manufacturers Alliance of the Rock River Valley, where businesses come together to work on projects;

o Whiz-Kids program at Rock Valley College;

o Champion of Kishwaukee Street and 15th Avenue as a neighborhood;

o Saved and revamped the US Navel Reserve armory for Techworks;

o As Executive Director of Abilities Center he was responsible for Multitrex, Techworks, Hireyourself, Contract Services, Data Works, Metal Works, Job Starter, Rent-a-Factory, Studio-Zoom, LASER Cladding and Enterprise Rockford;

o He turned a non-profit into a sustainable entity so that it no longer relied on government funding; and

o He saved the Elk's Club building in downtown Rockford.

The Award Selection Committee included: committee chairman Mike Broski of Entre Computer Solutions and Chamber Board Vice-Chairman; Norma Polcek from Samco; Melissa Boyer of Sub Source; Shelton Kay from Crusader Clinic; and Darlene Furst of Furst Staffing.