Award Winners
The Alumnus of the Year Award is given annually to an LTC graduate who has achieved both professional and personal success. Meet some of our recent award winners.
2011 Christine Thill
Christine Thill, co-owner and business operations administrator of Libby’s House, a Plymouth-based senior assisted living facility, was named Alumnus of the Year. A 1996 graduate of LTC’s Nursing program, Thill went on to work in various roles in the medical field, including administrator, consultant, staff developer, and in admissions and marketing.
In 2007, Thill opened Libby’s House — named after her grandmother Elizabeth “Libby” Tresp — and quickly expanded to four facilities.
Thill serves on the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association Diamond Accreditation Committee, is a member of the Sheboygan County Dementia Care Network, and is on the Plymouth Chamber Board of Directors.
2010 Scott Wichlacz
Scott Wichlacz, president and owner of Manitowoc Motor Machining & Parts, received the college's Alumnus of the Year award. A 1975 graduate of the Automotive Technician program, Wichlacz went on to work as a machinist with Manitowoc Automotive Supply before opening Manitowoc Motor Machining & Parts in 1985.
Wichlacz has earned recognition professionally with the Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association's Charles W. Yount award, Perfect Circle's Automotive Machinist of the Year, and Engine Builders Magazine's Machine Shop of the Year. He continues to support LTC by employing LTC graduates and providing on-site learning opportunities to students in the Automotive Maintenance Technician program.
2009 Jill Hennessey
Jill Hennessey received the 2009 Alumnus of the Year Award. The Alumnus of the Year Award is given annually to an LTC graduate who has achieved both professional and personal success.
Hennessey is a graduate of LTC's Marketing program and is currently Recruiting Manager-Americas Region for the Manitowoc Company. She is responsible for strategic planning and recruitment of the exempt workforce for the company's Americas region.
Hennessey is vice-chair of the Bay Area Workforce Development Board where she also chairs the Legislative Committee. She serves on the board of the Chamber of Manitowoc County as well as the Economic Development Corporation of Manitowoc County. Hennessey was recently elected to the Manitowoc City Council.
2008 Rick Philipps
Rick Philipps received the 2008 Alumnus of the Year Award. Philipps is a graduate of LTC’s Materials Management program. After a 26-year career at Eggers Industries Inc., he founded Woodland Face Veneer with his wife, Sharon, in 2002, and is the president and owner.
Woodland Face Veneer, Two Rivers, produces high end veneer overlays for the door, panel and furniture industries. The company employs 45 employees and was recently nominated for the 20th annual Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year awards for outstanding achievements in manufacturing.
2007 Janelle Koren
Janelle Koren received the 2007 Alumnus of the Year Award. Koren is a 1994 LTC graduate in Accounting and president of Locate Staffing, a successful staffing agency with offices in Wisconsin and Arizona. Koren founded Locate Staffing in 1999. In the first five years, Locate Staffing grew into a $5 million business, placing 1,600 people in jobs in 2005.
Inc. Magazine and Ernst & Young have recognized Locate Staffing’s annual double digit growth by naming it a finalist in the “Top 500” and “Wisconsin Entrepreneur of the Year” programs, respectively.
