Behind every thriving community are individuals and organizations who go above and beyond to make a difference. Each year, Visit Lake Geneva's Impact Awards recognize those who exemplify the spirit, generosity, and innovation that help our region flourish. This annual event celebrates the people and organizations whose passion, commitment, and vision strengthen the Lake Geneva region and enrich the experiences of residents and visitors alike. We are honored to celebrate this year's inspiring recipients and share their stories of dedication, leadership, and community impact. Read on to learn more about the stories behind the impact they continue to make throughout the region.
Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award: Dave Sekers
Presented to a person who represents the Lake Geneva region at its very best, consistently making a positive difference.
Dave Sekeres has a bounce to his step and a boom in his voice. The Chief Operating Officer of Delavan Lake Lawn Management clearly loves his work, his life and all the people with whom it brings him into contact.
The Walworth County native went to work at Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan right out of college. Over the next 35 years he became a powerhouse in the hospitality business, locally and statewide, never losing sight of why the work energizes him.
“What I really love is making a stranger’s day,” he said, “by being a friendly face, a welcoming individual, showcasing it. You create those memories. That has kept me going.”
His commitment has taken him up the ranks, rising to lead the operation through changing times including major new capital initiatives in residential land development.
Meanwhile, Dave has devoted considerable time serving the region, as a founder and chair of the Delavan-Darien School District career and technical charter school; on the executive committee of the Walworth County Economic Development Alliance; in leadership with the Delavan Chamber of Commerce and the community’s Tourism Commission; and as a member of Gateway Technical College’s hospitality advisory board.
With the Wisconsin Hotel Lodging Association, he is a leading educator on how the complex state room tax program impacts communities and the hospitality industry.
Altogether, it clearly brings him joy.
“I’m always about trying to build other people up. I get great satisfaction from that,” he said, when asked how it feels to receive this award. “But for your community or your peers to look at you and say thank you for what you have done, that you have made an impact, enough to receive this type of recognition it’s really touching. It means a lot.”
Business of the Year Award: Pearce's Farm Stand
Presented to a business or organization that exemplifies excellence in business culture and embodies social responsibility by giving back to the local community.
Pearce’s Farm Stand is a growth industry, in every sense of the phrase.
From a small roadside vegetable stand in the 1960s the family farm has grown into a four-generation powerhouse matching the needs and desires of the most discerning customers. The sheer scope of what the Pearce family grows and sells is astonishing – sweet corn, tomatoes, apples, peaches, pickles, pumpkins, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers, dill, basil, mums, sunflowers, annuals and perennials, lavender and more.
With major expansions in the 1970s and 2000s, the market has become a destination for locals and visitors alike. In addition to fresh produce and flowers, the stand is famous for delights from its large kitchen – cider donuts, cookies, caramel apples – along with an impressive retail selection of specialty foods and products.
Seasonal activities thrill all ages, especially the themed corn maze – this year celebrates America’s 250th – and stacks of hay bales for kids to climb.
Third-generation farmer Bob Pearce leads the operation, and says family is always at the center.
“It’s nice seeing the generations and everybody being able to work together. There aren’t many families that can go two or three generations and we’re into generation four. We’re fortunate enough to have grandma and grandpa (founders Bob and Mary Ann Pearce) here and my children here and all four generations actively working on the farm.”
Success, he said, is built on paying attention to people.
“What do they want? I strive to produce and provide the best and without feedback from the community it’s hard to do that.”
Hospitality Award: Geneva Lakes Vacations
Presented to a person, business or organization who exemplifies outstanding customer service, care and hospitality.
“We try to take the experience to the next level,” says Tom Keefe, co-owner of Geneva Lakes Vacations with partner Samantha Strenger.
And that’s an understatement.
The company offers vacation rental options to suit the preferences and budgets of visitors across the region, generally situated on water whether it’s Geneva Lake, Twin Lakes, Whitewater, Delavan, Genoa City or Lake Como. Visitors who prefer a more urban experience will find unique properties in downtown Lake Geneva, including an indoor “glamping” option.
Want to have a boat waiting at the dock when you arrive? A fully stocked refrigerator? How about a private chef to prepare a gourmet Saturday night dinner? Concierge services are available to fulfill your request.
Not surprisingly, to make it all come together, the team at Geneva Lakes Vacations is intensely focused on two customers – visiting guests and the property owners.
“The guest is the one that writes the reviews. It’s very easy to pay attention to that,” Tom said. “We realize, though, that the owners are our customers also, so we’ve been really building up our support and customer service for our owners. We love that relationship. We feel like we’re taking care of their home, we’re opening it up to guests, we’re helping the family to continue to own the house and enjoy it.”
“At the very root it’s just making people happy, making their day,” Samantha adds. “I enjoy nothing more than hearing, ‘I went to Lake Geneva, I had so much fun, I was able to relax and forget about whatever is going on in my daily life’.”
Rising Star Award: Alicia Boemi
Presented to a person, organization, or business who, in five years or less in their respective field, has made a substantial impact in their profession.
Making a difference is embedded in Alicia Boemi’s soul.
From her days as a dog rescuer in Chicago to her drive to become a children’s author promoting early childhood literacy to her entrepreneurial work opening and owning Lakeside Bookstore, she expends her energy and enthusiasm to benefit others. In just one year this storyteller and bookseller became a leader in promoting reading, writing and literacy in the Lake Geneva region.
Alicia is the president of the Lake Geneva Writers Group, which she says was formed “to help get resources to writers to achieve their publishing goals.” She’s a board member for Friends of the Lake Geneva Library. She’s the co-founder of the Walworth County Rising 40 Under 40 group, to recognize and encourage young leaders. She partnered with the library to present the inaugural Lakeside Literary Festival, which attracted more than 700 people to meet authors, hear interesting speakers and participate in the goal of lifelong learning.
Meanwhile, Lakeside Books offers regular book club events and fun activities like Silent Book Club and Boozy Book Fair with partnering downtown businesses.
“I want people to read more and to get offline more,” Alicia explains. “What drives me is seeing my kids telling stories and wanting to read books. Somewhere along the line we can lose that. I think it’s so important to foster that early. If I can have even a little bit of a part of fostering that in other people, then I feel fulfilled. Reading and writing is literally fundamental to life.”
Community Betterment Award: Lake Geneva Public Library
Presented to a non-profit organization which enhances and improves the quality of life in the Lake Geneva region.
Don’t look for dark corners, dusty stacks or grumpy librarians glaring disapprovingly over their glasses to enforce silence.
Lake Geneva Public Library is all about light, sound and connections. Director Emily Kornak even has a term for it – “Loud Library,” which she defines as a place where people can gather and feel comfortable.
This is an animated place with programs designed for all ages. Early childhood literacy is clearly a priority, with space devoted to kids for learning and play. Young parents accompany the children, mingling and often forming lasting bonds of friendship. There are products and programs for adults from new release books to crafting to timely and topical speakers. Seniors can take advantage of lifelong learning opportunities or just sit and read by large windows facing the lake. Community groups have access to comfortable meeting space.
Outreach is a priority, from visits with students – both at schools and for library field trips – to dedicated space at Piggly Wiggly where patrons can check out and return books. It’s obvious the library’s mission is to meet people where they are, by working with partners to keep services accessible.
“This staff is focused on meeting community needs,” Emily said. “It means building community. It’s hard sometimes to connect with your fellow residents if you’re busy working. This is a nice break. It gives you something where you can find fun things to do, educational things to do, where you can talk to your neighbors and make more friends. Finding ways to not only focus on reading and education but also that community component of connection.”
We had an amazing evening celebrating the accomplishments of these deserving individuals and organizations, a wonderful reflection of the innovation, leadership, and community spirit that define our region.
