The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce will honor Mayor A. George Pradel with its Lifetime Achievement Award next month at the Small Business of the Year Awards.
The Chamber presents this award annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to our community through their business, service, philanthropy, and dedication to making Naperville a great place to live and work. The Awards banquet and presentation is scheduled for May 30.
“I am truly honored to be given this recognition by our business community. We’ve developed a great friendship over the years and I am so proud of the work we’ve done together,” said Mayor Pradel. “What I’ve enjoyed most about being a part of this community is celebrating its people. Naperville is a vibrant city but it never loses touch with its small-town history and feel, and I am humbled to be named the Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.”
Born in Hyde Park, Mayor Pradel moved to Naperville in 1939. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956-1959, and served in the Naperville Police Department for 29 years before retiring from the force as Lieutenant of Police in 1995 to become Mayor. He has been married for over 50 years to his wife Pat, and they have three children, George, Gary and Carol.
“It is with great pleasure that we name Mayor Pradel as our 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. He has done so much for our town while serving on the police force and being the longest serving mayor in our history. So many of us have a personal connection to him and he has been a great friend to the Chamber,” said Nicki Anderson, president & CEO of the Naperville Chamber.
Although Mayor Pradel announced he will not seek re-election when his current term concludes in 2015, several development projects are in motion that will continue transforming Naperville for years to come. Mayor Pradel’s focus on the future of the community has been and will continue to be a tremendous boost to the businesses of the region.
“Mayor Pradel’s love and energy for our community has never been in short supply. His vision and passion has changed our community for the better and his legacy of service before self could be our city motto. We can never fully honor all of his contributions to our community and Chamber, but we will celebrate, toast and recognize him at this community event,” concludes Anderson.
The Small Business of the Year Awards features nominees from six categories around the Naperville area. Winners in each category as well as an overall winner will be named at the awards ceremony taking place May 30, from 6-10 p.m., at the Bolingbrook Golf Club.
Previous winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award include the Anderson family, Tim West, and Bev Patterson Frier.
