HURON – More than 200 people attended Thursday night’s Huron Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureu and Greater Huron Development annual meeting and awards banquet at The Plains.
Paul and Donna Christen, founders of Christen Group, were awarded the 2019 Mayor’s Award for Excellence by Huron Mayor Paul Aylward.
The award was presented at the Greater Huron Development Corporation/Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau joint annual meeting Thursday evening.
The Family Business Award was presented to the Bauman Agency and Steve Gohn was the recipient of the Distinguished Civic Service Award.
The theme was “Roadblock,” as keynote speaker Jay Gubrud gave a presentation on overcoming the everyday roadblocks to success.
“We are creatures of habit, change can be uncomfortable, but it leads to better communication in relationships,” Gubrud said.
“There is a great feeling of love and sense of community in this room.”
Prior to Gubrud’s address, the awards were presented to this year’s winners.
Mayor’s Excellence Award
Paul Christen was born in Minneapolis and raised in Mitchell, while Donna (Starr) Christen, better known as Muffy, was born and raised in Mitchell. They both earned their degrees from Dakota Wesleyan University.
During Aylward’s presentation of the award, he noted: “This year’s recipients, like so many before them, really represent a commitment to making our city better. Their support exemplifies the outstanding efforts by businesses all across this city who are out in the trenches trying to move this community forward.
“I congratulate them on their many, many successes and I thank them for all of their support and commitment to our community,” he said.
Aylward said Paul and Donna have always believed in Huron and are proud to  have made it their home for nearly 70 years. “Their influence has been far reaching as they have taught and continue to teach others what it means to give back through hard work and an optimistic point of view,” he said.
Over the years, the Christens have been major donors to the Huron Community Development Foundation, the Huron Central Park Project and multiple economic development campaigns in Huron. Paul continues to respond to the community’s economic needs by serving on numerous committees and task forces.
In addition to many other awards, Paul and Donna received the Outstanding South Dakota Philanthropists of the Year award in 1990, the Distinguished Civic Service award from the Huron Chamber of Commerce in 1991 and were named in The Chronicle of Philanthropy as “The Philanthropy 50: America’s Biggest Donors in 2011.”

However, Aylward said there is much more to Paul and Donna Christen than titles and awards.
“These honors have come to Paul and Donna because they lived what they believe,” he said.
Christen noted that his success, as well as the success of Huron, is and always will be determined by our attitude. “Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by an attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst – a spark that creates extraordinary results,” Christen said.
Aylward noted that the Christens have been philanthropic to Huron and the state of South Dakota throughout their lives.
The Christens gifted millions to Dakota Wesleyan University as a scholarship endowment. Later they gave support for the preservation of Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial, to DWU for the building of the Donna Starr Christen College of Healthcare, Fitness and Sciences facility, and again to DWU to help build a new Wellness Center on the campus.
The Christens were founders and served for years on the South Dakota Community Foundation Board of Directors, where they donated over $25 million to this organization that administers approximately $350 million in assets for more than 850 endowed funds and distributes grant funds to various projects and non-profit organizations each year.
Paul Christen recently celebrated his 90th birthday. He continues to work at Christen Group and live in Huron. Donna passed away earlier this year, on Jan. 6.
““I accept this award on behalf of the citizens of Huron,” Christen said.
“There is a bright future ahead, you are the reason why.”
The Mayor’s Award for Excellence has been sponsored by GHDC since 1992 to recognize outstanding businesses and/or individuals in the Huron business community that contribute to the improvement of the community and quality of life for Huron residents in arts and culture, amateur sports, education, voluntary community groups, economic development and other areas that provide a positive impact on Huron.
     
2019 Huron Excellence in Family Business Award
The Prairie Family Business Association recognized the Bauman Agency with the 2019 Huron Excellence in Family Business Award as well Thursday night.
Rebecca Zabel from Prairie Family Business Association in Sioux Falls presented the award.
The Bauman Agency was founded in 1990 by Curt Bauman and handled Pioneer Seed sales. Over the years Curt and Louise Bauman have expanded operations, which now include Pioneer Seed, crop insurance and Precision Planting sales and service.
The entire family, including four Bauman children and a son-in-law have been involved in the business at some point in the last 29 years. Callee Bauman Wachter and husband Jonathan Wachter are currently working in the business as the next generation of leadership.
The Baumans take pride in their community as well as the people and customers with whom they work. They have been involved and contributed to community organizations such as Junior Achievement and 4-H and are active in their church, school district and township. The Bauman Agency is built on honesty and integrity and they live out those values through their customer service, flexibility and support of both their customers and their employees.
Previous recipients of the Prairie Family Business Association award are Landstrom’s Photo Loft, Jensen Livestock, Potter’s Shoes, Huron Welding, A-1 Auto Body, Magness Livestock, Manolis Grocery, Red Wilk Construction, Lankota Inc., Asphalt Paving & Materials, Olsen Implement, Anderson Furniture and Carr Chiropractic Clinic.
Selection is based on the number of family members involved and/or generations of family ownership and management; positive contribution to the welfare of the community; recognition of and caring for employees; honest business practices and overall success of the business.

Distinguished Civic Service Award
Steve Gohn was presented the 2018 Distinguished Civic Service Award Thursday night. The Distinguished Civic Service Award has been a tradition of the Huron Chamber since 1936. It is presented to a Huron resident who has given continuous service to their community and has truly made a difference.
Bush Fullerton, the 2017 recipient of the Distinguished Civic Service Award made the presentation.
“When reviewing the criteria for the award as well as Steve’s accomplishments and involvement, there was no question he was an ideal candidate for the award,” Fullerton said. “He has been involved with many organizations and has served on numerous boards and task forces. His leadership, knowledge, and public service have left a positive imprint on the community of Huron.”
Gohn graduated from Aberdeen Roncalli High School in 1985 and from Northern State University in 1990. He worked for his family’s retail clothing store and commercial property business while growing up in Aberdeen and after graduating from college. He began his career as a financial advisor in 1992, at A.G. Edwards in Huron. He retains his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) status with Avail Wealth Management LLC of Huron, where he is a founding partner.
Gohn strongly believes helping your community to prosper is the responsibility of everyone. He is currently President of the Huron Community Foundation, the Huron Community Development Fund and the City of Huron Parks and Recreation board.
He has headed up the S.F. Canaries annual Baseball Game fundraiser for the Huron Community Foundation for many years. He has been very instrumental in playing a major role in the growth of that fund, which benefits everyone in ther community.
The criteria for Distinguished Civic Service Award include years of outstanding service to the community, without regard for personal or financial gain and service covering a broad range of interests.