[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 12, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING ST. CLOUD AREA CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARDS RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM EMMER

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 12, 2015

  Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
the recipients of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business 
Owner of the Year, St. Cloud Area Family Owned Business of the Year, 
and the St. Cloud Area Emerging Entrepreneur.
  Larry Logeman is the 2015 St. Cloud Area Small Business Owner of the 
Year. Larry is quite literally a man with a plan. Though he did not 
grow up with the dream of one day owning a business, he wrote a plan to 
become a business owner and set a personal deadline of 5-7 years. 
Nearing the end of his timeframe, he bought Executive Express. Larry's 
customer-focused business model has served him well. What began as a 
modest shuttle service between central Minnesota and the Minneapolis-
St. Paul International Airport grew into a business with 85 employees, 
31 vehicles, and a projected revenue stream of $3 million in 2015.
  Viking Coca-Cola, owned by Michael Faber, is the St. Cloud Area 
Family Owned Business of the Year. After Joe Faber, one of the founders 
and owners of the company, passed away in the 1990s, his son Michael 
moved back to Minnesota to join the management team. Keeping it in the 
family proved fruitful for the business. With Michael's help, Viking 
Coca-Cola capitalized on its existing success by expanding to canning 
and adding new products where consumer needs arose. The company now 
boasts nearly 500 employees and has a multi-state distribution 
operation. To top it all off, Michael and the company are active 
members in the community, helping local organizations and participating 
in charitable events.
  Luke Riordan, owner of DAYTA Marketing, is the St. Cloud Area 
Emerging Entrepreneur. DAYTA's success is attributed to its focus on a 
specific subsect of the digital communications field--people and 
businesses who need help with social media but at an affordable price. 
Luke and his team work closely with their clients towards a noticeable 
online presence for their businesses. Luke's ambition matches the 
digital marketing industry--it's not slowing down. His company's doors 
opened in early 2012, and in the last three years they've expanded into 
larger office space four times and now have 25 employees.
  I know I speak for the entire 6th District when I say I am so proud 
of these individuals' hard work and the example they set for those 
around them. Small businesses--and their owners--truly are the 
lifeblood of our beloved nation. The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce 
picked an excellent group to highlight this year.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask this body join me in honoring Larry Logeman, 
Viking Coca-Cola, and Luke Riordan for their invaluable contributions 
to St. Cloud and the surrounding area, and the State of Minnesota.

                          ____________________