Stormy Kromer CEO wins SBAM award

What's happening: An Upper Peninsula business leader has been honored by the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM). Gina Thorsen, CEO of Stormy Kromer in Ironwood, was named the organization's 2024 Advocate of the Year. Thorsen showcases the ethics and determination of the local workforce, and that economic prosperity comes from every corner of the state of Michigan. The award was presented as part of the SBAM annual meeting on June 13 in Lansing.

Advocating the SBAM: Thorsen is involved with many aspects of the SBAM, including serving as the secretary on the SBAM board of directors and sits on the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s executive committee. In some of her more hands-on work, she is the chair of the SBAM Broadband Task Force, which works with the Michigan High-Speed Internet office in the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.  By serving in these roles, Thorsen advocates for both small businesses and the U.P. through multiple organizations.

What they're saying: “Gina has been and continues to be a strong advocate in the Upper Peninsula, recruiting more small businesses to get involved in efforts to make Michigan a great place to operate a small business,” said SBAM President and CEO Brian Calley. “Gina’s work at Stormy Kromer since taking over the company when her father retired is simply remarkable. Her commitment to the success of all small businesses is impressive and she is a strong voice across the state in this arena. Her hard work and dedication to protecting small businesses and American companies makes us proud to name her our 2024 Advocate of the Year.”

What's next: Thorsen plans to stay with SBAM in the hopes of supporting small businesses and economic growth in Michigan. “Supporting and advocating for fellow small businesses is something I take great pride in and I’m extremely grateful to SBAM for this recognition,” Thorsen said. “All of us small businesses are connected and have to support one another for us all to thrive and SBAM makes that connection possible."