ARVADA, Colo., January 19, 2022 – The Arvada Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2021 Business of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year and Non-Profit of the Year winners. Recipients of these awards will be honored at the Arvada Chamber of Commerce 97th Annual Dinner at Social Capitol Events on February 18.
The Business of the Year award recognizes a business that has established a reputation for providing a superior level of customer service while using ingenuity and innovation to overcome challenges. Not only does this business excel internally, but it continues to support the community by participating in local activities and partnering with non-profit organizations. The 2021 Business of the Year is Barber-Nichols.
Founded in 1966, Barber-Nichols engineers and manufactures innovative turbomachinery systems used to explore the universe, enable sustainable energy, and protect our country. Barber-Nichols experienced substantial growth from 2017 to 2021 and expanded its workforce from 100 to over 160 employees. Barber-Nichols is 100% committed to developing a next-generation skilled manufacturing workforce in Colorado by sponsoring young talent directly out of trade schools. Barber-Nichols also established a Volunteer Committee that has contributed significantly to the local community including Adopt-A-Street City of Arvada, Community Table Arvada Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Children’s Hospital, and many other organizations.
A new award for 2021, the Entrepreneur of the Year recognizes an individual or team’s commitment, investment, and innovation as a business owner in Arvada. The 2021 Entrepreneur of the Year is Mike Huggins and Lenka Juchelkova.
Owners of The Arvada Tavern and Glo Car Wash, Huggins and Juchelkova have contributed mightily to the culture, innovation, and resilient spirit of Olde Town Arvada and the community at large. Since 2012, the team has crafted The Arvada Tavern into an award-winning Arvada staple for Prohibition-style cocktails and fine dining. During the pandemic, the Tavern shifted to offer to-go cocktails and virtual mixology classes, while its patio served as a model for the now permanent Olde Town street closures. Huggins and Juchelkova have long been contributors to causes around Arvada, most recently raising money for the families of the Olde Town shooting victims.
The Non-Profit of the Year is recognized for their support of Arvada and its citizens through impactful programs, services and overall involvement within the community. Nominees are also evaluated on local partnerships and collaboration. Recipients of non-profit of the year receive a $500 award. The 2021 Non-Profit of the Year is Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado (AATPC).
Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado is one of the first counseling centers in the nation that specifically integrates teams of professional therapists and their therapy animals to facilitate the counseling process. The program aims to serve economically, physically, or mentally disadvantaged individuals and families. In addition to the therapy benefits received by the client, all AATPC interns conducting therapy sessions are training to be mental health clinicians, allowing graduate-level students to exercise their counseling skills in a supervised environment while also learning the benefits of including a therapy animal in session.
These recipients will be honored with a video of their accomplishments at the Annual Dinner. Videos and more information about the wonderful work done by the recipients will be released after the event. For more information on the Annual Dinner, please call 303-424-0313 or visit www.arvadachamber.org/AnnualDinner
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Media Contact:
Kami Welch President, Arvada Chamber of Commerce
303-424-0313
kami@arvadachamber.org
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