GREEN BAY – The Rotary Club of Green Bay announced that Craig Dickman, managing director of TitletownTech and chairman of Breakthrough, will receive its 2019 Free Enterprise Award.

The Free Enterprise Award recognizes people and organizations in Brown County that exemplify the American free enterprise system.

Dickman will be honored at an awards dinner on Monday, May 20, at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Green Bay.

“When you look at the list of people that have received this award before, it really is humbling,” Dickman said, naming several previous recipients who have had an impact on his career and the many personal friendships he has with those who have been honored in previous years. “It’s really meaningful to be part of that group.”

Dickman’s passion for innovation and entrepreneurship made him an ideal Free Enterprise Award candidate, said Miranda Bonde, co-chair of Rotary Club of Green Bay’s Free Enterprise Award committee.

“Craig’s community involvement has helped build a strong business that has not only changed the landscape of the Green Bay community but has also changed the landscape of his industry,” Bonde said. “He continues to push innovation and creativity while exemplifying community give-back in so many different ways that make him stand out in Free Enterprise as well as Rotary ideals.”

Dickman founded Breakthrough, the industry leader in transportation energy management in North America and more than 40 countries worldwide, in 2004 and currently serves as its chairman.

Breakthrough manages the energy that companies use to move product to market, focusing on reducing energy costs, consumption and emissions.

In 2018 he was named managing director of TitletownTech, a venture partnership between the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft to build, enable and invest in early-stage and existing businesses through its Innovation Lab, Venture Studio and Venture Fund.

Dickman also co-founded the NEW Venture Foundry, a venture partnership that works with entrepreneurs and corporate innovators to solve business problems and create new ventures – a partnership that has supported the launch and funding of six new businesses.

As an inventor, Dickman holds multiple patents for energy management.

In addition to his roles with TitletownTech and Breakthrough, Craig’s experience includes serving as president and CEO of Paper Transport Inc. and vice president, information and technology, for Schneider.

He has experience in local government and serves on the Board of Directors for the Green Bay Packers and the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and is the vice chair of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Council of Trustees.

Dickman grew up in Green Bay and received a bachelor of science degree in business from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and a master’s in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

He and his wife of 35 years, Karen, have two grown children, Megan, who is the principal and writer for Crystal Clear Resources in Green Bay, and Brendan, who serves in the armed forces.

This year, the Rotary Foundation has selected Eye Heart World, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against human trafficking, as the principal recipient of the proceeds of this award dinner.

Eye Heart World provides aftercare resources for trafficking victims, prevention for at-risk youth and training for professionals and community members to combat trafficking, an issue prevalent right here in Northeastern Wisconsin.

Its work includes establishing the Rose Home in Green Bay, a residential aftercare program that serves survivors ages 18-25 through a holistic, strength-based approach.

Treatment includes group and individual therapy, life skills courses, and workforce preparation.

The Rose Home is a place for survivors to gain confidence and become empowered to live life to the fullest.

The 37th Annual Green Bay Rotary Club Free Enterprise Award Dinner will be held on Monday, May 20, at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay.

Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. The program and awards presentation will follow dinner.
Tickets are $100 per person or $1,500 for a corporate table of 10.

For ticket information or reservations, visit www.greenbayrotary.com or call 920-364-0538.

Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Joyce McCollum at 920-621-2542.

The co-chairs of the 2019 Free Enterprise Award event are Miranda Bonde and Steve Mastalir.

Previous Free Enterprise Award recipients

2018, Michael Haddad, Schreiber Foods
2017, William “Red” Lewis, PDQ Car Wash
2016, Will Kress, Green Bay Packaging, Inc.
2015, Susan Finco, Leonard & Finco Public Relations, Inc.
2014, Mark McMullen, Associated Bank Corp.
2013, Tim Weyenberg, Foth
2012, Mark Skogen, Festival Foods
2011, Terry Fulwiler, WS Packaging Group
2010, Rick Chernick, Camera Corner Connecting Point
2009, Robert “Bob” Gallagher, Associated Bank Corp.
2008, George Kerwin, Bellin Health System, Inc.
2007, Larry Ferguson, Schreiber Foods, Inc.
2006, Timothy Howald, Tweet/Garot Mechanical, Inc.
2005, Larry Weyers, WPS Resources Corporation
2004, Frank A. Wood, Green Bay News-Chronicle
2003, John C. “Jack” Meng, Schreiber Foods, Inc.
2002, James F. Kress, Green Bay Packaging
2001, Carl W. Kuehne, American Foods Group
2000, Harry B. “Nick” Conlon, Associated Bank Corp.
1999, K.C. Stock, KCS International, Stock Lumber Co.
1998, James Madigan, FEECO International
1997, Leo Frigo, Frigo Cheese, Paul’s Pantry
1996, Don DeMeuse, Fort Howard
1995, Louis Konop, Konop Vending
1994, Robert Bush, Schreiber Foods, Inc.
1993, Robert Harlan, Green Bay Packers
1992, Donald Schneider, Schneider National
1991, Ron Weyers & Wally Hilliard, American Medical Security
1990, Donald Long, Imperial, Inc.
1989, Steve Van Dyke, Foth & Van Dyke
1988, Frederick Baer, Paper Converting Machine Co.
1987, Paul Ziemer, Wisconsin Public Service
1986, Phil Hendrickson, Krueger International
1985, John “Jake” Rose, Associated Kellogg Bank
1984, Merlin Bush, Schreiber Foods, Inc.
1983, George Kress, Green Bay Packaging