Recognizing Entrepreneurial Excellence
For the past five years, the Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc. (RAEDI), Journey To Growth, and the 504 Corporation have honored the efforts of regional entrepreneurs. The 2018 RAVE Event (Recognizing Awarding Valuing Entrepreneurs) will be held on Monday, November 5, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the DoubleTree in Rochester. This year’s event will recognize three regional entrepreneurial honorees, one lifetime achievement and a RAVE Warrior of the Year. Among the honorees are Steve and Umbelina Cremer of Harmony, MN, who will be recognized with an entrepreneur lifetime achievement award.
Steve Cremer is the President of Harmony Enterprises, a third generation, family-owned solutions provider for the waste handling and recycling industry, based in Harmony, MN. Umbelina Cremer is the Executive Director of Harmony Kids Learning Center, a progressive daycare located adjacent to Harmony Enterprises main production facility. This dynamic husband and wife duo has been creating a positive impact on the region for decades.
The RAVE banquet event is made possible by generous supporters such as their Platinum sponsors: Home Federal Savings Bank, Mayo Clinic Ventures and RPU.
To learn more about the event, or to get ticket information, click here.
Decades Of Service
Steve Cremer, President, Harmony Enterprises
Steve graduated from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse in 1978 and is a Certified Public Accountant.
From 1978 to 1984, he worked in the oil industry in Houston, TX for Aminiol, USA, which was a subsidiary of RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, doing Financial Planning and Analysis. Phillips Petroleum Company acquired Aminiol in late 1984. Steve remained with Phillips until 1988 working with strategic and financial planning and joint venture acquisitions.
In April, 1988 Steve moved back to Harmony, MN to join his family business. He held the position of CFO of Harmony Enterprises, Inc. Steve was named President of Harmony Enterprises, Inc. in 1990. He has developed the company’s international business with sales in over 80 countries.
He has been involved with economic development since 1989, first in help organizing the Fillmore County Economic Development Board, then the Southeastern Minnesota Economic Development Board (CEDA) for15 years, and the Harmony Economic Development Board for 13 years.
Under his direction, Harmony Enterprises, Inc. received the state of Minnesota Governor’s International Trade award in 2008.
Umbelina Cremer, Executive Director, Harmony Kids Learning Center
Umbelina is extremely dedicated to her community and has served on the board of Harmony Area Community Foundation as co-chair, Board Member of Harmony Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Relay for Life Team with Harmony Enterprises. She is also member of First Homes Board (Rochester Area Foundation) as their Treasurer, Mayo Clinic Bio Bank Advisory Board as their co-chair. She has continued her leadership role in her congregation as a confirmation teacher for the past 25 years. She attended Pam American University, Rochester Community & Technical College, and RCTC for her Early Childhood Development.
Their Core Purpose
Throughout their years of service, Steve and Umbelina have held fast to the Core Purpose of their companies and family legacy; Career, Community, and Culture. Their business endeavors help to provide meaningful employment to a great number of families in the region, while providing solutions to larger problems like environmental management and daycare or housing shortages. They have been extremely generous with their contributions to the local community, understanding the value of sharing success with the greater region. Finally, they have created a positive atmosphere, both at the workplace, and among their family and friends.
Steve Cremer with the RAVE Award following the November 5th Banquet.
“Every entrepreneur starts with a dream. The reality of transforming that dream to a thriving and growing business is very demanding work. We want to highlight our entrepreneurs and show them that we support and respect the work they do,” said Xavier Frigola, Director of Entrepreneurial Programs at RAEDI.
Harmony Enterprises and Harmony Kids Learning Center would like to take this opportunity to congratulate these two innovators in our community and thank them for their positive contributions to our Career, Community, and Culture.
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