Saline Chamber Award Winners Have History of Community Support

On Oct. 11, the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce will present the 2012 Business Enterprise Award to Stonebridge Golf Club and Iott Insurance Agency, Inc. 

Dianne Atwood, the Chamber’s Initiative Award winner, will also be honored during the 6 p.m. gala awards dinner at Stonebridge Golf Club. The public is welcome to attend. 

According to a Chamber press release, nominations for the Chamber’s Business Enterprise Award were open to the entire community, and peer recognition is an important component of the nominating process. Final selections are made by the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

“In the greater Saline market the annual Business Enterprise Award represents the most prestigious mark of distinction given to any business and is the most recognized award any business can hope to obtain," said Art Trapp, Saline Area Chamber of Commerce executive director. 

Stonebridge supports community

Stonebridge Golf Club, in Pittsfield Township, was purchased in 2001 by two old University of Michigan college friends, and fraternity brothers. Jim Roland and Doug Mervis changed the model of the operation to a public golf course that offers all of the amenities of a country club, without the monthly fees, the press release indicated.

Winner of numerous awards, Stonebridge offers an 18-hole championship golf course, a driving range, practice putting greens, full service bar and grille and a 200-seat banquet facility with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the 18th hole, outdoor patio, covered tent and outdoor Tiki Bar.

Mervis is a past Chamber president and board member. The business has supported Saline’s Summerfest, Saline Holiday Parade, St. Joseph Mercy Saline, The Foundation for Saline Area Schools (FSAS), Saline DARE Golf Outing, and various Saline Area School Sports teams.  Every year, the company gives dozens of rounds of golf to charitable organizations for their non-profit fundraising efforts, according to the Chamber release. 

Iott Insurance gives in Saline, surrounding area

Iott Insurance Agency's history dates back more than 60 years, when a friend of Francis Iott's gave him the agency, which he and his wife, Peg, ran out of a small room in their home in Deerfield. According to the Chamber, Iott brought in Virgil Diver in 1971, and, in the following year, the company added a second location in Petersburg and hired another associate, Fran's son Charles (Chuck) A. Iott. Francis, Virgil and Chuck are now retired, and Francis' son Brian and Virgil Diver's son, Kurt, run the business, along with Timothy Miller. 

The three offices, although in new buildings, remain in Blissfield, Petersburg, and Lambertville and house a staff of 25 employees, 14 of whom have been with Iott’s for over 10 years, and five who are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year.

Iott Insurance services business and personal clients and supports not only the towns in which they have offices, but the surrounding communities as well.  Brian Iott moved his family to Saline in 2000. Since then, Iott Insurance has maintained a presence in the Saline community. Brian a past president and board of director member, is active in the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce.  Iott Insurance supports the Saline Area Lions Club, sponsors Saline’s Summerfest and other local events.

"We’re pleased and very proud to honor Stonebridge Golf Club and Iott Insurance for their achievement," Trapp said. "In terms of commercial success, recognition from peers, and ongoing involvement in our community and civic affairs, both symbolize the best of what businesses in our area hope to be.”

Reservations are required by Oct. 8 at a cost of $45 per person. For further details, contact the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce at 734-429-4494.