Reny named 2011 Business and Professional Woman of the Year

"My husband's never going to let me live this down," Deb Reny said shortly after being named the 2011 Business and Professional Woman of the Year.

Reny was one of 10 nominees for the honor, which was announced Wednesday at the Business and Professional Women's Colloquium held at the Treasure Island Event Center. After a long pause - and makeshift drum roll of thunderous foot stomping - Reny's name was heard over the speakers, but her reaction was very little reaction at all. She stood among the other nominees, simply shocked.

"I couldn't believe it, because all those ladies are unbelievable people who are extremely qualified," Reny said.

Though she was modest when she actually won, Reny had some fun, prior to the event, joking around and pretending she knew she'd be a shoe-in for the honor.

"I was teasing all the patients, saying, 'Don't worry, I won't forget the little people,'" she joked.

Reny keeps busy at Patterson Chiropractic in Red Wing, and holds several titles at the office, some of which include Team Lead of Office Files Search and Rescue, Board Chair of Appointment Logistics and Office Flow, Chief Copy Clerk, Minister of Heating and Cooling Throughout the Office and Sweetener of Sourpuss Patients. At least those are some of the tasks that Jennifer Patterson listed when she nominated her "office manager extraordinaire" for the honor of Business and Professional Woman of the Year.

Patterson also called Reny the "self-appointed sheriff of Third Street."

"I have three badges, just to let you know," Reny said.

The humorous titles listed in Patterson's nomination form were followed by genuine appreciation for everything Reny does at the chiropractic office.

"Deb is a great gal," Patterson wrote. "(She) is kind, energetic, personal and a positive person."

For being named Woman of the Year, Reny received $100, an overnight stay at the Country Inn & Suites at the Mall of America and an engraved clock and desk set from Wanshura Jewelers in Red Wing.

The other nine nominees also walked away with prizes, and so did a large number of women attending the colloquium because more than 85 door prizes were given out.

The Business and Professional Women's Colloquium was celebrating its 25th anniversary, and, as a result, was the largest it's ever been.

"This is just amazing to me - from what it started out as 25 years ago to what it is now," Dave Anderson said.

Anderson and Calli Ekblad were the original organizers of the event during its first year, when less than 15 people attended.

"It grows every year and I think it just gets better and better," Ekblad said.

This year, nearly 200 women - and four men - turned out for the colloquium. Not only did the number of attendees grow, but also the number of vendors, this year featuring more than 32 different businesses and booths. They offered products including Tupperware, purses, jewelry, candles, spa treatments and chocolates.

Next year's event is already in the works and is slated for April 18, 2012.

Nine other nominated

The other nine nominees for 2011 Business and Professional Woman of the Year were:

• Linda Beyers, Potter Ridge Assisted Living

• Marlys Bruley, Sorensen Financial Services and Flexible Benefits

• Sandi Brunell, Dakota County Receiving Center

• Amy Fetzer, Plum City Care Center

• Susan Peterson, Ace Communications Group

• Patti Schmidt, city of Red Wing

• Nancy Seaquist, Sweet Harvest Foods

• Jan Stelter, the Enhanced Image

• Lisa Woletz, Red Wing Republican Eagle

Tags: treasure island event center, news, lifestyle, community