BY PRESS TIMES STAFF
GREEN BAY – Current Young Professionals (CYP) — a Greater Green Bay Chamber program — hosted its 2024 Future 15 & Young Professional Awards on Thursday, Feb. 29 at the Oneida Hotel.
The awards were created in 2007 as a way to recognize those who advance CYP’s mission “by profiling best practices that could be adopted by other individuals and organizations” and honor greater Green Bay young professionals who are achieving great things and improving the area’s quality of life.
The Future 15 profiles 15 young professionals and recognizes one “Young Professional of the Year.”
The awards also recognize a “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” and the “Next Generation Best Place to Work.” A total of 21 finalists were honored on Feb. 29 for their positive impact made on the area.
Charles Caston, Jr., of We All Rise: African American Resource Center Inc. was recognized as the Young Professional of the Year.
“Caston creates connections one basket at a time on Green Bay area basketball courts. He has helped to foster solidarity among African Americans in the community while also working with the Green Bay Police Department to create a community taskforce that allows community members who have historically distrusted law enforcement the opportunity to build positive relationships,” a CYP release stated.
The 2024 Young Entrepreneur of the Year was awarded to Avery Rhenwrick, owner and founder of 4th N Long LLC. “Rhenwrick allocates a portion of the proceeds from this clothing business to support underprivileged children pursuing their athletic dreams,” the release added.
Green Bay Packaging, Inc., was honored as the 2024 Next Generation Best Place to Work.
“Green Bay Packaging (GBP) takes pride in their rich heritage as a third-generation, family-owned business. Over the past 91 years, they have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to nurture a culture of growth where employees are cared for personally and professionally and are truly empowered to reach their full potential in their careers,” the release said.
The event also celebrated Future 15 Award recipients and finalists for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Next Generation Best Place to Work awards, including:
Future 15 Award recipients:
Alie Thomas, Green Bay Packaging
Avery Dumask, Schreiber Foods
Brianna Griffith, Green Bay Area Public School District
Charles Caston, Jr., We All Rise: African American Resource Center, Inc.
Corey Wollin, CESA 7 and Northeast Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship
Cynthia Sternard, Associated Bank
Chelsea Faase, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Jacob Syndergaard, USI
Kari Olsen, Greater Green Bay Community Foundation
Katelyn Desrochers, Procter & Gamble
Lydia Lynch, Capital Credit Union
Maggie Koch, Bellin Health
Miriam Brabham, Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Victoria McNeal, St. Norbert College
Corey Ciesielczyk, St. Norbert College
Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalists:
Beau Thomas, Trackside Design
Sara Kwaterski, Sara’s Artisan Gelato
Next Generation Best Place to Work finalists:
Bellin Health
Green Bay Packaging, Inc.
Schreiber Foods