AWARDS AT
RE:CON
apex – Outstanding Employer
celebrates a business that has fostered exceptional employment opportunities for people with disabilities and other barriers to community access in Michigan. This employer will have demonstrated a commitment to inclusion and diversity in hiring practices, training, and talent development. The award will recognize an employer that has created a workplace culture rich with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, skills and abilities.
apex – Outstanding Community Partner
recognizes an individual or an organization that has dramatically improved the quality of services and supports for people with disabilities and other barriers. This award honors the vital role and commitment of our community partners – often unsung heroes – contributing to the betterment of an existing program, or creating a new model that has positively and sustainably affected the quality of life for the people we serve – removing barriers, restarting lives, and restoring community. Service and support areas might include employment, housing, transportation, education, or recreation and the arts.
apex – Transformational Leadership
recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated the ability to develop and implement creative and effective leadership strategies; nurture valuable collaboration and partnership; and work across boundaries to achieve transformational outcomes with the people we serve. This could be attained through advocacy, innovative programs, partnership models, published research – solutions that have changed the game in a positive way. Nominees may represent community providers, government, business, advocacy organizations, or academia.
Congratulations to the 2025 Award Winners
Outstanding Employer:
- Checkers 575 E. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo
- The Salvation Army Plainwell, MI
Outstanding Partner:
- Deanna Holman, Muskegon ISD
- Mark Bontomasi, Metropolitan Detroit Area
Hospital Services
Transformational Leadership:
- Jo Sperry – Peckham
The BOOM Awards Applications are open!
The BOOM (Be Our Own Motivation) Awards is a statewide award ceremony started in 2013, that recognizes the accomplishments of Michigan-based entrepreneurs, athletes and employees with disabilities who have excelled despite the additional obstacles and sometimes seemingly insurmountable odds they face due to their disabilities. The chosen recipients of the Annual Awards receive a vignette about their journey produced by Good Fruit Video and are celebrated in front of hundreds of people each November during the statewide disability conference, re-con: The Convention of New Beginnings.
With over 800,000 Michiganders having at least one diagnosed disability, odds are you know someone who is not only disabled but also unwilling to allow that designation to hold them back. With your support, we can continue sharing these individuals’ stories with the world. Our goal is to change society’s general perception of people with disabilities while also motivating others with disabilities to pursue their own passions and desires, regardless of the obstacles they face.
Congratulations to the 2025 Award Winners
2025 Employee of the Year:
- Isabella Hoeppner – State of Michigan
The Employee of the Year is someone who has made a significant contribution at their place of employment. This person has displayed promptness, initiative and drive in the performance of their job duties with their current employer.
Entrepreneur of the Year
- David Cross – Bear Creek Metal
The Entrepreneur of the Year is someone who has persevered to start and run
a successful business, for a minimum of one year. This person has displayed
determination, inventiveness and tenacity as a business owner.
Athlete of the Year
- Tyler Keller – Wheelchair Basketball
The Athlete of the Year is someone who competes and excels in a team or individual sport. This person has displayed a high level of skill, continuous improvement and excellent performance in a series of venues or competitions.
Special thanks to Work Skills Corporation for making the BOOM Award artwork.
