The annual Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce’s 101st membership dinner was held Wednesday evening where the Man of the Year and Woman of the Year were announced.

Jerry Clevenger of Winona Lake was named Man of the Year, and Mary Ettinger of Warsaw was named Woman of the Year during the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce’s annual membership dinner. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)

Mary Ettinger of Warsaw and Jerry Clevenger of Winona Lake received the honors.

Gov. Mike Pence was the keynote speaker at the dinner where a record-breaking crowd attended. It was held on the campus of Grace College in Winona Lake.

Pence, who is only one week into his new job, said he is excited about the future of Indiana. He also spoke about the state’s budget, education, jobs, and economic growth and said Indiana needs to “reach higher” on those topics. “If we do, we will be the fastest growing state,” he said.

Pence spoke about the state’s budget. “It begins with fiscal responsibility and investing in roads and economic growth. We need to put taxpayers first,” he said. “Government should only collect what it needs.”

Pence said he hopes to reduce the income tax rate by 10 percent which would increase the purchasing power of Hoosiers and make Indiana the state with the lowest income tax rate in the Midwest.

Gov. Mike Pence spoke at the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce 101st annual membership dinner Wednesday. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)

He also spoke about education, stating Indiana needs to expand choices to families when it come to education. “We need to cut the red tape in the classrooms and let our teachers teach,” he said, which had the crowding applausing.

He said it’s important to convey to children that they can go to college, if they desire. A Columbus, Ind., native, Pence said the state needs to make college more affordable. He noted technical and vocational education is just as important, too. He proposes working with businesses and schools to offer more vocational training in high school. “It will increase (high school) graduation rates,” said Pence.

Pence said it’s an incredible time in Indiana. “But I’ve come to a community that already understands that,” he stated. “I ask Kosciusko County to share your passion. When we do, we will get a quarter of a million people back to work and also serve to inspire a nation to put more people back to work.”

Several awards were also handed out at the chamber dinner. Mary Ettinger was named Woman of the Year and Jerry Clevenger was named Man of the Year.

Ambassador of the Year was given to Jan Orban. Monica Lyon of United Way was named the Young Adult Professional of the Year.

Bishop Farms was presented the Industry Award. Leesburg native Nick Deeter of OrthoPediatrics was named Entrepreneur of the Year.

Bartel Printing earned the Business Award, and Rebecca Anglin of the Warsaw Police Department was given the Government Excellence Award.

The Service Business Award was presented to Miller’s Merry Manor.

Wal-Mart in Warsaw was given the Business Leadership Network Employer of the Year Award. It was honored for hiring people with disabilities.