The award is presented by the Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation
St. Cloud, Minn. –The Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation has selected Bernie Perryman as the 2019 ATHENA Award recipient. Bernie was chosen for the award because of her leadership and dedication to strengthening our community. The mission of the ATHENA Award is to recognize and honor Central Minnesota women who have achieved excellence in their careers and who inspire others. Criteria for selection include: demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in her business or profession; provides valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the lives of others in Central Minnesota; and actively assists women in realizing their full leadership potential.
With a long history of workplace excellence and a tireless work ethic, Bernie has been blazing trails since 1982 when she began her career in beer sales for Anheuser-Busch. At the time, she was one of six women out of 2,000 field sales reps. Over a 34-year career in the beer industry, Bernie rose through the ranks as the first female sales director climbing all the way to the role of President and CEO of C & L Distributing, the Anheuser-Busch Distributorship in Central Minnesota. In 2016, Bernie’s entrepreneurial heart led her to acquire the Batteries Plus Bulbs franchise in St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids where she continues to achieve excellence while growing the business. Outside of her career, she has been active in several community groups including the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, CentraCare Health Foundation, American Cancer Society, United Way of Central Minnesota and St. Cloud Economic Development Authority. Bernie has been known to mentor young female professionals as they develop skills for the business world and help them become more involved in their community.
Lisa Maurer, ATHENA Award selection committee chair stated, “Bernie Perryman was chosen for the 2019 Athena Award, as she exemplifies all that this Award stands for. Bernie has worked diligently in her career and as a community volunteer; improving lives, strengthening organizations and impacting our community in many positive ways.”
Past recipients of the award include Susan Mackert 1988, Colman O’Connell 1989, Peg Meyer 1990, Ann Thelen 1991, Nancy Fischer 1992, Diane Gohman 1993, Diana Murphy Podawiltz 1994, Dorothy Simpson 1995, Cheryl Lightle 1996, Connie Cross 1997, Sonja Sorensen Craig 1998, Patti Gartland 1999, Colette Carlson 2000, Marj Hawkins 2001, Sandy Neutzling 2002, Betty Schnettler 2003, Barb Carlson 2004, Joan Volkmuth 2005, Patt Adair 2008, Jan Bensen 2009, Elaine Bauerly 2010, Cindy Faye Johnson 2011, Molly Renslow 2012, Maxine Barnett 2013, Patricia Welter 2014, Ann Cofell 2015, Lynn Grewing 2016, Linda Eich DesJardins 2017 and Tarryl Clark 2018.
The award presentation will take place at the Central Minnesota Community Foundation Annual Dinner on September 10, 2019 at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud.
Since 2002, the Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation has been dedicated to strengthening the community by improving the lives of women and girls. The Women’s Fund has granted over $1.2 million to support local programs in three core focus areas: girls age 10-18, women in transition and elder women. Learn more about the Women’s Fund at www.communitygiving.org/centralmnwomensfund.
