Hy-Vee, Taco Johns receive Extra Mile award

It was an evening of celebration and recognition as members of the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce and Tourism braved the cold to hold their annual dinner and meeting at the Owatonna Country Club.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of the Extra Mile winners. The group’s ambassadors were recognized as were the outgoing board members, while new board members were announced.

The Extra Mile award is given to recognize businesses that have done extraordinary things to improve the community. This year’s winners were Hy-Vee and Taco Johns. The awards were presented by Annie Priebe of Federated Insurance.

“Hy-Vee exemplifies what it means to go the extra mile for the community,” Priebe said.

Through their partnership with Community Pathways, she said, the company helped provide 44,000 meals to neighbors in need.

“Their commitment extends beyond food access,” she said, “including hands-on involvement in a Habitat for Humanity build and recognition from the Steele County History Center with a Community Partnership Award.”

She said the company’s impact was reflected in investment in youth, education, and activities that build future leaders. Store Manager Justin Lewer was honored with the Friend of Education award by Waseca Schools as a testament to personal leadership that mirrors the company’s values, she said.

The store sponsors an extensive list of programs including Owatonna High School boys and girls basketball, dance, wrestling, swimming and diving, cross country, soccer, football; Medford boys basketball; Owatonna Youth Hockey, softball, gymnastics, and robotics; Steele County 4-H; and other groups.

Lewer and Kenny Dreyling accepted the award.

Giving back to the community has been a core value for Denise and Jim Atkinson since they opened Taco Johns in 1986.

“For nearly four decades, they have consistently invested in the people and programs that make our community strong,” Priebe said.

They have sponsored Little League teams and supported a wide range of high school athletics, including baseball, basketball, and most recently, the fishing team, helping ensure that local youth have opportunities to participate, compete, and grow, she said.

They also have supported local 4-H clubs, the Steele County Free Fair, and numerous religious and educational organizations.

“They have also stepped up to help feed the community during times need, always with humility and a genuine desire to give back,” Priebe said. “As they often say, it has been their pleasure and privilege to support a community that has given so much to them over the past 40 years.”

The two were unable to attend the event, Priebe said, so the award was accepted by Taco Johns general manager, Brian Culligan.

The Chamber Ambassadors are among the Chamber’s most committed members, said Chamber President and CEO Brad Meier. They welcome new members, attend ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings and connect with members and are an overall welcoming arm for the group.

Each month, he said, the ambassadors get points for visits, retention calls, events and wearing the proper uniform. At the annual meeting, the ambassador who has the most points wins the Wayne Starman Ambassador of the Year award, named in honor of long-time Chamber member and ambassador.

Recipient of the award for 2025 was Kelly Boomgarden of Country Inn & Suites.

Also recognized were board chair Deb Gillard and outgoing board members Syd Briggs of Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric; Mike Herman of Culligan ULTRApure and Scott Mohs of Mohs Contracting/Mohs Homes. Incoming board members include Steve Glynn of Mohs Contracting, Inc., Stacy Hanson of Grapeful Wine Bar, and Brett Dorek of Culligan ULTRAPure.