(INDIANAPOLIS) -- An Indianapolis businesswoman who connects small businesses with funding options and vital entrepreneurial advice, two legislative leaders who despite a five-week interruption of the process achieved historic policy victories and a Kokomo community which rebounded from 19% unemployment by maximizing strengths and forming new partnerships were honored by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce last evening at the organization's 22nd Annual Awards Dinner.

A crowd of nearly 1,500 business, civic and political leaders attended the event at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis. Governor Mitch Daniels provided the welcoming remarks while Pittsburgh Steelers legend and Fox commentator Terry Bradshaw delivered the keynote speech. The awards dinner was presented in partnership with Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield.

"All of our honorees have proven they are more than up to the challenge of any task. Whether it's helping businesses grow and succeed, enacting legislation to attract more jobs or prepare young people for viable careers or rebuilding a community's economic core, all are shining examples of true leadership and how to get things done," says Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar.  "Because of their dedication, our communities and state will continue to see the fruits of their labor."

The 2011 Indiana Chamber honorees are:

Business Leader of the Year: Jean Wojtowicz, president of Indianapolis-based Cambridge Capital Management Corp. -- Wojtowicz grew up in a family where building and running businesses was part of everyday life. Childhood memories include helping fill orders for fishing lures patented by her grandfather and working at a local movie theater her parents owned. Although she considered following in her father's footsteps with a real estate career, Wojtowicz ultimately carved her own entrepreneurial path. She founded Cambridge, a manager of non-traditional sources of capital for small businesses, in 1983.

Since then, Cambridge has assisted approximately 1,200 Hoosier businesses by investing more than $800 million. Client Travis Morgan, CFO of Strand Analytical Laboratories, says what truly makes Wojtowicz and Cambridge stand out goes beyond that monetary assistance: It's the vital stream of advice and nurturing that is offered - be it management, planning or financial consulting.

Wojtowicz also devotes a sizeable portion of her time to volunteer activities on numerous non-profit and company boards. Surmises Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar: "She's really expanded the reach and impact of herself and her company - through her volunteerism and this incredible network of contacts, players and banks that she has developed to put to use for the benefit of start-up and early-stage companies here in Indiana." 

Getting the chance to work with, influence and help make the dreams come true of entrepreneurs, Wojtowicz says, is the most gratifying part of what she does. 

"It's really rewarding when you can drive down the street and you can point to companies that you know you've had some small role in helping those companies grow and expand. It's even more important when we hear from some of those businesses about the number of jobs they've created - the number of families that are now relying on those businesses for their livelihood," she offers.

Government Leaders of the Year: House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President Pro Tem David Long -- For 35 days in February and March, the stalemate in the Indiana General Assembly garnered national attention. But by session's end, notable policy accomplishments became the lasting story. This turnaround was made possible in large part due to the determined and focused leadership of those at the top - Bosma (of Indianapolis) and Long (of Fort Wayne).

What were the keys to their success? Long emphasizes, "If you're not communicating or not talking, you're not going to be successful. Brian and I like each other, we're friends, we trust each other and that's not an easy thing in politics because we have such divergent groups with different needs and different dynamics."

Bosma calls the relationship "a unique partnership. I've frequently said I've always admired David, but in the last year or so he's become my friend. I really think that's how we weathered the difficulties that happened this year. When there's a lot of competing interests, sometimes you whip each other up, sometimes you try to calm each other down."

The ultimate evaluation of any General Assembly session is did legislators accomplish what they set out to do? At the top of that agenda (shared with Gov. Daniels and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett) was education reform - enhancing school choice, expanding charter schools and putting improved teacher performance standards in place.

Bosma: "I would rank what happened this last year on that education reform front as probably the most important accomplishment in my 25 years in the General Assembly. I think it really sets the stage for the future."

Long: "These bills were critical to put Indiana at the forefront of education reform in the country, no doubt about it. What will happen as a result is that our kids are going to get the opportunity for the educational background they are going to require in order to be successful in the next 20 years. I'm very proud of what we achieved."

Community of the Year: Kokomo -- It's not a new story: A city intrinsically connected to the U.S. automotive industry suffers dramatically as the Big Three decline and new vehicles become a luxury that many consumers cannot afford. The sequel in Kokomo, however, is not following the script found in some Indiana and Midwest communities. Others have either continued to struggle or only been able to partially move on with auto reliance largely relegated to the history books.

Kokomo is an exception. After emerging from bankruptcy, the revamped Chrysler and Delphi operations have continued to receive strong outside investment. A talented workforce has been able to adapt to the changing workplace needs, while some individuals are utilizing their abilities to form new businesses and bring that elusive diversification.

After a Forbes magazine article labeled Kokomo the third fastest dying city in America, community leaders opted to not just wait for the auto industry recovery and then breathe a deep sigh of relief. Instead, they:

• consolidated a number of public and private sector organizations under the umbrella of the new Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance; 
• reprioritized city investments, making difficult decisions on wages and benefits to free up funds to help existing small businesses survive the difficult times; 
• revitalized downtown with infrastructure and beautification efforts that have extended the proverbial "welcome mat" to all; and 
• formulated a new working partnership between the auto employers and their union employees.

Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight: "If we do the things on quality of life, we can become not only the hub for employment but a hub for residential as well. I really feel we have a long way to go, but that we're on the right path."

The dinner followed the Indiana Chamber's fall board of directors and annual membership meetings.  Recognized during a luncheon ceremony as Volunteers of the Year for their work with the Chamber were Chris LaMothe (Sherry Laboratories) of Daleville, Jim McKinney (Regency Properties) of Evansville and Brian McDermott (Ogletree Deakins) of Indianapolis.

In addition, Unified Group Services, Inc. of Anderson was named the 2011 Small Business of the Year.

Carmel businessman Mike Wells, president of REI Real Estate Services, was elected the Indiana Chamber's 2012 chair of the board of directors. 

RECENT INDIANA CHAMBER WINNERS:

Business Leader of the Year
Mike Wells - 2010
John Swisher - 2009
Tony George - 2008
Niel Ellerbrook - 2007
Clarence J. "Mac" McCormick III - 2006

Community of the Year
Terre Haute - 2010
Valparaiso - 2009
Noblesville - 2008
Anderson - 2007
Evansville - 2006

Government Leader of the Year
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett - 2010
Stan Jones, former state commissioner for higher ed. - 2009
Former Gov. Joe Kernan and Chief Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court Randall Shepard - 2008
Mayor Graham Richard - 2007
Gov. Mitch Daniels - 2006 

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The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is the state's largest broad-based business advocacy and information organization, representing nearly 5,000 member companies that employ 800,000 Hoosier workers.