Greenwood Village Chamber Of Commerce Community Spirit Award for Zuma’s

Greenwood Village Chamber honors top business people

by editorial on May 13, 2010

in Business, Chambers of Commerce

By Gary Massaro

Melissa Wilson, second from left, received the Ingrid Fry award as member of the year for the Greenwood Village Chamber of Commerce. On hand to congratulate her were John Herbers, CEO of the chamber; Valerie LeVier, chamber volunteer and The Villager ad rep; and Greenwood Village Mayor Nancy Sharpe. Photos courtesy of Neil McKenzie.

The Greenwood Village Chamber of Commerce honored the best May 7 at the annual awards breakfast, a prelude to the business expo later in the day.

They’re not just in business to make money. They use a portion of their profits as well as their expertise to help others.

The Chamber honored Jovita Fleischmann, owner of Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant, with the Tall Timbers Award, the top honor given out at the annual breakfast and business expo May 7.

Fleischmann was honored for giving back to the community. She is a mentor to other restaurant owners, encouraging them, imparting her expertise.

She also supports programs at Cherokee Trail High School, sponsoring teachers’ meetings and sports awards.

Jovita Fleischmann received the Tall Timbers award.

She is generous to the hungry and the homeless, and is a long-time active member of Sertoma Club and formed a nonprofit to help a variety of groups.

Other award winners include:
• Melissa Wilson, owner of Business Consulting Services, won the Ingrid Fry Award. Wilson earned the Member of the Year award by going the extra step on behalf of the chamber. She is readily available to pitch in where needed and is a big-time recruiter and promoter of the chamber, according to her nominator.

• Aaron and Gary Steinke of Wine Source of Colorado won the Community Champion Award. They aren’t just big promoters of a Taste of Greenwood Village. They are big-time sponsors, proving wine for the Taste and well as prelude events – The Road to the Taste.

The Community Spirit Award went to Jodi and Paul Messenich, founders of Zuma’s Rescue Ranch and Experiential Learning Center, which pairs abused horses with abused children with the goal to help both. Chamber CEO John Herbers and GV Mayor Nancy Sharpe boosted the Messenich’s and Zuma.

• The Community Spirit Award went to Jodi and Paul Messenich, founders of Zuma’s Rescue Ranch and Experential Learning Center. The couple founded Zuma’s to take in abused and neglected horses. From that, they founded the learning center.

“They pair abused horses with abused children,” according to the nominating letter. “The horses learn to trust people. And the children work on their multiple issues of trust, respect, self-esteem, anger,