Winners to be recognized at January 21 “Celebrate” Event
The Fox Cities Chamber has announced the recipients of its Lifetime Achievement Awards. These annual awards recognize individuals who embrace principled leadership, strategic thinking, balanced workplace values and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence. Each has a unique blend of vision, energy, perseverance and skill, demonstrating outstanding achievements in operating businesses as well as leadership in the community.
The 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients are:
- Gus A. Zuehlke Distinguished Service Award – This award, sponsored by Plexus, is named in honor of Gus A. Zuehlke, a past Chairman of the Board of the Fox Cities Chamber. In the spirit of Gus’ passion for serving his community, this award honors an individual who has made outstanding contributions through leadership in business and service during his/her years as a Chamber member.
This year’s winner is John Hogerty – Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary & Treasurer, Bergstrom Corporation. Hogerty joined Bergstrom in 1995, having prior worked as a corporate attorney for a large midwestern law firm. In addition to his other responsibilities at Bergstrom, Hogerty serves at the Chief Ethics Officer, and has written many policies, procedures and trainings which speak on the importance of ethics and integrity in everything that they do.
During his nearly 30 years at Bergstrom, he’s been part of the leadership team who have grown the business from eight locations, to more than 40, 700 to 2,400 employees, and nearly $2 billion in revenue.
Outside of work, he has held leadership roles in many large non-profits, including United Way Fox Cities, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, and Community Foundation of the Fox Valley Region. He has been married to his wife Morgan for 33 years, and they have three grown children. - Joyce Bytof Exceptional Mentor Award – This award goes to an individual who is proactive in the advancement of others by sharing time, talent and business experience for the purposes of promoting growth and opportunity in the Fox Cities community.
This year’s winner is Richard Parks – Financial Representative, Modern Woodmen of America. Parks has been with Modern Woodmen in a variety of capacities for the past 22 years, moving to Appleton from Texas in 2012 after a promotion. Modern Woodmen of America is 142 years old, and has always prided itself on making a difference in the communities in which they live, work and play. Parks and his company utilize Chambers of Commerce to meet and network with other local business owners and nonprofits. In fact, Parks is so passionate about the work local Chamber’s do, that he serves as the president of the Fox Cities Chamber Ambassadors, and attends nearly every event the Chamber hosts.
Through Modern Woodmen, Parks, and member volunteers secure matching funds and work on service projects throughout the year, focused on their three pillars of service: financial security, community impact, and quality of life.
Parks, a lifelong learner and reader, has been married to his wife Gretchen for 30 years, and they have a daughter, son, and one grandson. - ATHENAâ Leadership Award – Sponsored by Bergstrom Automotive, this award is given to a woman who has achieved the highest level of professional excellence. This individual contributes time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the Fox Cities community and actively assists others, particularly women, in realizing their full leadership potential.
This year’s winner is Coreen Dicus-Johnson – President and CEO, Network Health. Dicus-Johnson is a Las Vegas native who moved to Wisconsin to attend Marquette University. She then attended law school at DePaul University College of Law. She has spent over 25 years in healthcare, building on the leadership skills developed as the oldest of eleven children to forge a career as a healthcare executive.
Outside of her work, Dicus-Johnson focuses on efforts and organizations that build healthy and strong communities – specifically education and improving the lives of children. She’s spent many years working on causes involving domestic violence, safe homes, expanding educational opportunities, healthcare issues, and with community organizations that enrich the lives of children to prepare them for success.
Dicus-Johnson is married to her husband Kurt, who she met during her time at Marquette, and they have one daughter. They are also expecting their first grandchild in January. - Business Leader Hall of Fame – The Business Hall of Fame Award, sponsored by Thrivent, is presented to a retired individual or individuals who have demonstrated personal and business success and are role models for future generations.
This year’s winner is John Schmidt – Chairman of the Board, U.S. Venture. Prior to becoming Chairman of the Board, Schmidt served as U.S. Venture’s President and CEO for 17 years, driving record growth and profitability through data-driven insights and market trends. Schmidt’s expertise in energy and transportation positioned U.S. Venture as a key strategic partner. In addition to being the visionary and strategic leader behind U.S. Venture’s business transformation, he is also the champion and caretaker of the company’s culture. Great emphasis has been placed on employee satisfaction, which has been an integral part of the company receiving the “Great Place to Work” certification for four years in a row.
Schmidt is committed to community involvement, having led the COTS board from 1997-2018, and founded Riverview Gardens in 2010, focusing on job training and employment. U.S. Venture’s annual golf outing has raised over $65 million to fight poverty since 1986.
He is also Chairman of CMD Corporation, joined the Green Bay Packers board in 2020, and became Chairman of Magnolia Business Ventures in 2024. - Legacy Award – The Legacy Award is presented to an outstanding member whose enduring dedication and visionary contributions have significantly shaped the success of the Fox Cities Chamber. This prestigious honor celebrates an individual who has left an indelible mark on the Chamber’s history, inspiring future generations with their remarkable legacy of service and impact.
This year’s winner is Paul Shrode – Retired Educator/College Administrator, Community Service Volunteer. Shrode, a Michigan native, moved to Appleton in 1982 to join the staff of Lawrence University, having served in administrative roles at four other colleges and universities. He served as Associate Dean of Students and Director of the Memorial Union for 25 years at Lawerence, where he helped start the college’s Volunteer Center, opened the first campus store, and supervised the campus pub, among many other things. He concluded his 47 year career at Fox Valley Technical College as Director of Outreach Programs.
In 1982, Shrode began service on the first Octoberfest planning committee in 1982, and has served on the committee in almost every role ever since. He is currently Octoberfest Committee Chair. In addition to Octoberfest, he has been involved with a multitude of other community organizations, including Boy Scouts, Appleton-Fox Cities Kiwanis Club, Appleton Education Foundation Board, Rotary Multicultural Center board, and many more.
He is married to his wife Stacy, and they have one son. When he isn’t busy with community projects, he is active with his church, where he cantors and sings with the choir.
These individuals will be honored for their achievements at Celebrate on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at Best Western Premier Bridgewood Resort Hotel, 1000 Cameron Way, Neenah. This is a can’t-miss event, where attendees will enjoy dinner, live music by saxophonist Michael Prusinsky, and an exciting auction, as the 2024 Chamber Lifetime Achievement Award winners are honored.
General admission is $150 for Fox Cities Chamber members and $175 for non-members. Tables of 10 are also available for $1500/$1,750.
Celebrate is made possible through the generous support of the following: Presenting Sponsors – Miron Construction, Associated Bank, ThedaCare and Network Health; Gus Zuehlke Award Sponsor – Plexus; Business Leader Hall of Fame Sponsor – Thrivent; and ATHENAÒ Leadership Award Sponsor – Bergstrom Automotive. Additional sponsorships are still available. For details, email Eric Broten at [email protected].
For more information and to register, visit https://members.foxcc.net/chamber-events/Details/2025-celebrate-1164841?sourceTypeId=Website.
About Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce
The Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce captures the energy of one of Wisconsin’s most dynamic regions and transforms it into innovative programs and services for its business members. The Fox Cities Chamber serves all of the Fox Cities communities within the counties of Outagamie, Calumet and the northern portion of Winnebago. The Fox Cities Chamber plays a leadership role in regional economic development efforts in Northeastern Wisconsin. For more information, visit foxcitieschamber.com.
