The Southwestern Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce awarded Garmann Miller CEO Eric Baltzell as its 2024 Businessperson of the Year at its annual awards lunch, May 7, at Faith Alliance Church in New Bremen. Since stepping into the role of CEO in 2017, Baltzell has shown visionary leadership through GM’s significant growth and commitment to local communities.

“We are thrilled to honor Eric as this year’s recipient,” said SWACC Executive Director Sara Topp. “His outstanding leadership at Garmann Miller and his commitment to our Golden Triangle communities and beyond embody the qualities that this award celebrates.”

Under Baltzell’s guidance, GM opened locations in Columbus, Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, as well as a recent acquisition in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The firm has also seen steady growth in its workforce, welcoming over 40 new employees over the past seven years.

Garmann Miller remains deeply rooted in the Golden Triangle of Minster, New Bremen and New Knoxville, as evidenced by its recent projects which include the new Minster Police Department addition, the renovation of Minster High School, and the innovative New Bremen Elementary School featuring the Dianne Komminsk Center for Innovative Thinking.

GM annually earns national recognition from Zweig Group as one of the Best Firms to Work For in the U.S., and is ranked as a top 60 K-12 design firm by Building Design + Construction magazine.

Through his vision to give back, Baltzell launched the Garmann Miller Game Changers, a volunteer group of team members who focus on supporting local philanthropic efforts.