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2020 WOMEN IN BUSINESS Page 7 Greater Beloit, Stateline Chambers of Commerce host Influential Women in Business Luncheon

By Jean Seegers REPORTER

The second annual Influential Women in Business Luncheon presented by Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce and the Stateline Chamber was attended by over 600 women and men, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019. The sold-out event was held at the Eclipse Center in Beloit.

The theme of this year’s program was “Dare to Dream” and featured Diane Hendricks as the keynote speaker. Hendricks and her late husband Ken co-founded ABC Supply, a wholesale distributor of roofing supplies, in 1982.

After the death of her husband in 2007, she became the chairwoman and sole owner of Hendricks Holdings Co., Inc. The company owns and manages properties and businesses, including Hendricks Commercial Properties and North Star Medical Technologies in Beloit.

Hendricks was recently named #1 on Forbes Magazine’s 2019, America’s SelfMade Women list.

Hendricks related her life story of growing up on a dairy farm in Mondovi, Wis. She was one of nine daughters. Pregnant at 16, she married her son’s father. “It was the right thing to do at that time.” The marriage lasted three years.

After her divorce, she raised her son alone, got her education by reading books and worked at a variety of jobs including the real estate business.

“I met Ken and we found that we shared a vision.” The couple eventually married and blended their families. “We became the Brady Bunch: my son, his four children and then our two daughters. “We have raised our family ‘country style’. I’m very proud of my kids.”

The couple began buying properties and fixing them up, with the help of BlackHawk Bank. “We took lots of risks, but made sure we would be able to recover. We learned from our mistakes.”

Hendricks said their net worth in 1982 was $26 million. In 1998, their net worth was $1.1 billion.

She was unsure what to do when her husband died. “I was still standing.” She decided to keep going. “It ended up being all about the people.”

“I parked my gender at the door and got to work. My job then and now is to set an example and to lead.”

She claims that ABC Roofing Supplies puts on 25% of roofs in the nation. The company employs over 20,000 people.

Hendricks has increased her philanthropy efforts recently. She founded The Hendricks Family Heart Hospital (the fourth floor at Beloit Hospital), and Career Tek, a program that prepares 7 through 12 grade youth for future careers through

Diane Hendricks

workshops with the guidance of volunteer business mentors. Career Tek is located at 625 Third St. in Beloit.

Hendricks said she wants to give back to the community of Beloit. “I’m working on my city. I love it.”

She also loves America. “There is opportunity everywhere. How

fortunate we are to live here. Everything I have accomplished in life was possible because I live in America. It’s been a wonderful life.”

In her closing remarks, Hendricks said the patriotic song “Proud to be an American” by Lee Greenwood, has become a favorite song in her family.

“My 15 grandchildren call it the ABC song.” As the video began, Greenwood walked onto the stage bringing the surprised crowd to their feet.

The Stateline and Greater Beloit Chamber presented three area women who have shown leadership and excellence in business roles:

Angie Koltoff, Greater Beloit Planning Committee Chair presented the Next Gen Award to Sarah Millard. Millard is the Director of Strategic Communications for the City of Beloit.

Stateline Chamber member Ryan Rydell – presented the Role Model Award to Anabel Toye – The Roscoe businesswoman owns Anabel Toye Cleaning Service.

Kassie Strahlow presented the Executive Influencer Award to Mary Fanning-Penny, CEO – United Way, Black Hawk Region.

The Stateline Chamber and Greater Beloit Chamber jointly plan the yearly Influential Women in Business Luncheon and alternate hosting each year.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Women in Business Winnebago award winner

Congratulations to the 2019 Winnebago Chamber of Commerce Community Betterment and 4 under 40 Awards Stephanie King.