Debbie Gurley, Realtor and Broker at Miscella Real Estate andlong with Renee Raymond, Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. presented the L.E.A.P Award at the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce’s 98th Annual Charlemagne Awards Dinner Friday, February 7, 2020. At this prestigious award ceremony, many awards are also given to other local business that have contributed to St. Charles and the business community around them.
The St. Charles Women’s Business Council presents the L.E.A.P award stands for Leadership, Excellence, Achievement, and Professionalism.
Leadership:
Holds Current or past leadership position in business or local organization. Works to improve organizations in which she is involved.
Excellence:
Demonstrates an ongoing commitment to excellence in her work and civic commitment for women.
Achievement:
Responsible for improvements or positive change for women in her profession, business or service organization. Recognized by her peers.
Professionalism:
Strives to improve herself and women. Seeks out opportunities to provide assistance to other women.
This honor is given to one chamber member who has gone out of their way going above and beyond in helping the community and assistance to other women.
This year’s recipient of the prestigious L.E.A.P. Award went to Leah Hoppes, president and co-founder of Vision Force Marketing – a national top-rated marketing agency ranked #25 out of the top 100 businesses in Illinois and the only marketing company to hold this coveted title. In addition, Leah is an author, speaker and marketing coach who works with businesses to help them leverage the power of marketing to achieve business growth. Hoppes is very active with Feed My Starving Children, and a leader at Christ Community Church as a strong advocate in their community outreach program Care Night. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication Leah!
Congratulations to Bob Gorecki, longtime volunteer and Kane County philanthropist, and now winner of the prestigious Charlemagne Award! Bob is a licensed attorney for 64 years, former chairman of the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce, former city of St. Charles attorney, former police commissioner and former fire commissioner. Gorecki and his wife Janet, who died in 2014, provided support for many local charities including Lazarus House, Hessed House, The American Red Cross and Delnor Hospital. The Gorecki’s have deep roots in St. Charles. His parents immigrated to the United States from Poland in the late 1880’s. Shortly after the turn of the century, they moved to St. Charles. A Korean War veteran, Gorecki is a longtime member of the St. Charles VFW Post 5036 and the American Legion. His commitment to giving back to St. Charles is honorable and it was fantastic to see him win this award!
Debbie is currently the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce. Was the recipient of the L.E.A.P Award in 2015 from the Women’s Business Council and in 2019 was recognized for her assistance to the Board Director and was honored with the Chairman’s Award!
Debbie has also held many positions with the Batavia and Geneva Chamber. She’s been President of the Geneva Women in Business, as well as Geneva’s Networking Chair for countless number of years, Batavia Chamber Ambassador for the Batavia Chamber and currently an active member of all three Chambers. She routinely attends the Chamber’s women luncheons, ribbon cuttings and networking events.