Press Releases

KUJAWA ENTERPRISES, INC. OWNER RECEIVES

2012 GOVERNOR’S TRAILBLAZER AWARD

Madison (January 24, 2012) –

Sally Kujawa, President, of Kujawa Enterprises, Inc., in Oak Creek,Wisconsin, has been selected as a recipient of the 2012 Governor's Trailblazer Award for Women in Business, recognizing women pioneers in the business community.  Kujawa Enterprises was nominated for the award by Barbara Scheibe, Executive Director, Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association Inc.

Sally Kujawa is the co-founder of KEI (Kujawa Enterprises, Inc.), a four- season, full-service landscape management and snow and ice control company serving Southeastern Wisconsin for more than 40 years.  KEI has been ranked as a top contractor by numerous industry publications and was named to the Inc. Magazine’s list of the fastest growing companies in America. Sally currently serves as the CEO and  Chairman of the Board. She has been recognized nationally as a pioneer in developing and using computer applications and applying technology to the landscape industry.  The company also gives back to its community, including  establishing and operating  a training and job placement program for disadvantaged youth, as well as contributions to  scholarship  funds  and garden/landscaping projects in public spaces.

“Private  sector businesses are key to our state’s job creation strategies,” said Governor Scott Walker. “We are fortunate to have many women who have started a business and now employ their fellow Wisconsinites. I hope that these Trailblazers can serve as role models to other women who are considering opening a business and creating jobs.”

By starting and sustaining businesses, exploring markets, creating jobs and stimulating local economic growth, Wisconsin women business owners play a leading role in our economy. The Governor’s Trailblazer Awards celebrate women's long history of entrepreneurship and deep roots in Wisconsin's business community. The fourteen 2012 Trailblazer recipients represent seven counties and a wide range of industries – from professional services to construction to health care. These businesses have sustained families and anchored communities. To-date, the Trailblazer Awards have recognized 44 Wisconsin woman-owned businesses across 21 counties.

The Governor’s Trailblazer Awards  for Women in Business are sponsored by the Office of the Governor; Office of the Lieutenant Governor; Wisconsin Women’s Council; M&I, A part of BMO Financial Group; Wisconsin Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification Program (Wisconsin Department of  Administration); Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC); The WIDGET Source; and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.

For more information about the Trailblazer Award program, visit the Women’s Council web site at http://womenscouncil.wi.gov. See below for a complete list of 2012 Trailblazer recipients.

Recipients of the 2012 Trailblazer Awards are:

Brown County:

Ed Gersek Inc., Lorraine Gersek, Diane M. Bisick, President, Green Bay • 1963

Dane County:

Awards Mall/Total Awards & Promotions, Inc., Donna Gray, CEO & President, Madison • 1977

Drake & Company Staffing Specialists, Kelly Starr-King, CEO, Madison • 1978

Lindsay, Stone & Briggs, Inc., Marsha Lindsay, CEO, Madison • 1978

Milwaukee County:

Heartland Information Research, Inc., Kate Hill, President, Wauwatosa • Special Recognition

Kujawa Enterprises, Inc., Sally Kujawa, President, Oak, Creek • 1964

MJ Care, Inc., Mary E. Van Lare, P.T., CEO, Milwaukee • 1977

Zoe Engineering, Daphne E. Wilson, P.E., President, Milwaukee • Special Recognition

Racine County:

2100 Lathrop, Inc. (dba McDonalds), Dorothy A. Metz, President, Racine • 1957

Badger Trailer & Equipment Corp., Karin Lee-Fournier, CEO & President, Jean A. Lee, Owner & Vice President, Franksville • 1920

Insider News Wisconsin, Yolanda James, Owner & Publisher, Racine • Special Recognition

St. Croix County:

J&L Steel & Electrical Services, Lou Anne Berg, CEO, Hudson • 1977

Waukesha County:

James Imaging Systems, Lola A. Tegeder, CEO, Brookfield • 1977

Winnebago County:

Directions Marketing, Kristine R. Sexton, President, Neenah • 1955