Business Awards

On Thursday, October 22nd the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce will present the 2009 Business Enterprise Award to two exceptional area businesses, LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Spotted Dog Winery. The public is invited to join us in honoring the recipients at the gala awards dinner at Stonebridge Golf Club starting at 6:00 p.m. Recognition will also be given to Rick Welch, Director of Human Resources at McNaughton & Gunn for his lifetime professional achievements.  Reservations are required by October 19th at a cost of $45 per person.

The Chamber's Business Enterprise Award is widely recognized as the most meaningful and prestigious honor a business can receive in the greater Saline market.  Nominations are open to the entire community and peer recognition is an important component of the nominating process.  Final selections are made by the Chamber's Board of Directors.

Spotted Dog Winery, located at 108 E. Michigan Ave. in downtown Saline, is a Michigan Winery producing around 40 different wines from dry to sweet and red to white.  Owners, Jill and John Olsen, have worked to create an environment where people can come in and explore and enjoy a wide variety of wines.  They produce wines that will allow those new to wine to explore the wonders of the grape and those who are experienced to enjoy wines that are unique to Spotted Dog Winery.

Jill and John moved to Saline in 1995 with their two boys, Erik and Ian, who were educated in the Saline School District.  John, raised in Manchester and Jill, raised in Pinckney, have been lifelong area residents.

Jill and John have always wanted to own their own small business. When the opportunity came to them to open the winery they jumped at it. They chose to open in downtown Saline to be part of the small town atmosphere. Having both grown up in small towns it was a culture that appealed to both of them. There is something special about being in a small town. To hone his skills John worked at a couple of different wineries before producing his own wines at Spotted Dog Winery.

Spotted Dog employs Lindsey Rodstrom, a part-time student employee, Meredith Phillips, and a great number of family supporters who put their time in to help make the winery a success.  This includes Erik and Ian, Jill's parents, Ray and Pat Stillwell, John's mother, Luragay Olsen, and many other friends who stop in to lend a hand from time to time.

Jill and John have donated their time and/or product to the fundraising efforts of an endless list of worthy community organizations such as the Saline Fiddlers, Saline Area Historical Society, Brecon Village, Cystic Fibrosis, March of Dimes, Wild Swan Theater, and local hospitals, schools, sports teams, and charitable organizations.  In addition they volunteer their time and effort to the many downtown events put on by the Downtown Merchants Association as well as the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce.

John has spent time as a coach (sometimes coaching both house and travel teams at the same time) and board member for Saline Area Youth Baseball & Softball.  He has at times run registration, web design, umpires, and been league director for that organization.  When the boys were younger he also coached soccer with Saline Area Soccer Association.

John currently serves on the Saline Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as President-Elect, is the Downtown Merchants Association President, and is a member of the Saline Business Development Association.

LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge Jeep is located at 900 W. Michigan Avenue in Saline.  The LaFontaine Automotive Group has been owned and operated by Michael T. and Maureen LaFontaine for over 25 years.  Their vision to grow the LaFontaine Automotive Group originated in 1980 with LaFontaine Toyota in Dearborn.  That location now accommodates not only the Toyota brand but Honda, KIA, Suzuki, Scion, and Hyundai. The Pontiac Cadillac GMC store in Milford, was purchased in 1984, with other locations purchased through the years until the family added its 15th dealership, the Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership in Saline, in 2007.  Michael T. and Maureen's vision has continued to grow with even more locations having been added in recent years.

LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Saline is operated by Matt LaFontaine who has lived in Washtenaw County for over 13 years.  Matt is also the General Manager of LaFontaine Chevrolet in Dexter.  Matt, the LaFontaine family, and Automotive Group is very involved in Saline and the surrounding communities, sponsoring multiple events every year with financial support as well as graciously giving their time to personally attend and be involved.

Lafontaine Chrysler Dodge Jeep believes that, as a business, they can play a vital role in the community helping to make Saline a great place to work and live. The dealership has supported several community events such as the Saline Holiday Parade, the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce annual golf outing, Saline Summerfest, Celtic Parade, Saline Chamber's annual Eggstravaganza, as well as several different fundraisers for Saline School programs, the Saline Community Fair, and more.

Matt LaFontaine and his team also believe in working with nonprofit organizations and have opened their facility to groups like the Saline Fiddlers to use for dinners and fundraisers.  LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Saline also has been involved in the area Home Builders' Association, participating in such events as the Builders' Home & Improvement Show and have supported such things as the Cystic Fibrosis Break-a-thon, Breast Cancer Awareness, various Veterans events, and church programs.  The LaFontaines as an Automotive Group, and the Saline dealership in particular, like to have fun too and have helped bring to the community such events as Super Kicker Rodeo finals & the NASCAR Kasey Kahne signature event.

The LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge Jeep team has had the prestige of receiving such awards as the Chrysler Five Star Award, Chrysler Outstanding Sales Achievement recognition, and been noted as an AAA Membership Approved Service Center.

According to Larry Osterling, Executive Director of the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce, "In the greater Saline market the annual Business Enterprise Award is the highest and most recognized award any business can hope to obtain.  We're pleased and very proud to honor LaFontaine Chysler Dodge Jeep and the Spotted Dog Winery for their achievement.  In terms of commercial success, recognition from peers, and ongoing involvement in our community and civic affairs, both symbolize the best of what businesses in our area hope to be."
The Chamber extends its heartfelt congratulations to LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Spotted Dog Winery on their outstanding achievement.  The Chamber also thanks KeyBank for sponsoring this event.  "KeyBank congratulates LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Spotted Dog Winery, this year's recipients of the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce Business Enterprise Awards.  KeyBank is proud to be part of a community where businesses acknowledge and honor their peers for displaying high standards of business practices and service.  KeyBank is pleased to be the event sponsor of the Business Enterprise Awards Gala Dinner on October 22nd honoring these two fine companies".  For further details, contact the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce at (734) 429-4494.