Cloverland Electric Cooperative employees are pictured with a 2025 Award for Excellence they received at last week's Operation Action U.P.'s annual meeting. (Courtesy photo)

MARQUETTE — Members of Operation Action U.P. and business leaders from across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula gathered last Thursday to celebrate regional progress, recognize outstanding businesses and look ahead to the year ahead during the organization’s annual meting.

Held at the Northern Center Ballroom at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, the event welcomed community partners, business owners, and economic development leaders for networking, updates and recognition.

The program opened with registration and networking, followed by welcome remarks and organizational updates from OAUP leadership, including President and Co-Chair Joe Esbrook and Co-Chair David Paananen.

A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the annual Excellence Awards, which recognize up to four businesses that have made significant contributions to the economic well-being of the Upper Peninsula. The four Upper Peninsula businesses that received the OAUP 2025 Award of Excellence are:

• Burton Electronic Manufacturing Services Inc., Burton Electronic Manufacturing Services Inc. is an Electronics Manufacturing Services Company that provides our OEM customers with customized manufacturing solutions. Established in 1978 in northern Wisconsin, the company expanded into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the early 2000s. The company has since expanded its manufacturing footprint twice in Ironwood. It serves OEMs in various markets, including Medical Devices, Industrial and Commercial Controls, Transportation, Wireless Communication, and Consumer Products. Burton EMS manufactures printed circuit board assemblies. We act as the manufacturing arm for our customers and provide a wide range of services, including design support, manufacturing review, custom procurement and inventory management, testing and engineering, sub-assemblies, environmental coating, and box-builds. It partners with its customers to provide their teams with the highest level of quality and personalized service in order to help them succeed in their markets. We are proud to be a third-generation, family-owned company providing “Made in the USA” products.

• Cloverland Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric utility serving Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula. Headquartered in Dafter, the cooperative energizes more than 43,000 meters for approximately 34,000 residential and business members across five counties, including service to 58 islands. Cloverland employs more than 130 people across five divisions, supporting reliable electric service and regional economic activity. A unique strength of Cloverland is its long-standing commitment to locally generated renewable energy. The cooperative produces approximately 30 percent of the power needed to serve its members through a hydroelectric plant that has been in continuous operation since 1902, contributing to an overall fuel supply that is approximately 50 percent renewable. Through safe operations, strategic investment, and community-focused service, Cloverland Electric Cooperative delivers reliable and affordable energy solutions that encourage growth, foster innovation, and strengthen the communities it serves.

• G&J Site Solutions, Inc., is a site-work and environmental services contractor specializing in erosion control, site stabilization, landscaping, and highway safety. The company supports construction, utility, and infrastructure projects by providing compliant, efficient, and practical approaches to land disturbance and environmental protection. With a focus on quality workmanship and regulatory compliance, G&J Site Solutions delivers services including erosion and sediment control installation, temporary and permanent stabilization, Landscaping and irrigation, and site support activities tailored to project-specific conditions. The company works closely with public and private entities, engineers, and consultants to ensure project requirements are met while minimizing environmental impact.

G&J Site Solutions, Inc., is committed to safety, reliability, and responsive service, bringing field proven experience and attention to detail to every project. Their goal is to provide dependable site solutions that help projects stay on schedule, within scope, and in compliance with applicable environmental standards.

• Great Lakes Sound and Vibration designs and builds the products that make tanks, trucks, ships, and aircraft quiet, to create a decisive advantage for the U.S. Department of War. The company was formed in 1996 as an engineering consulting firm operated by a founder from home. The early days were spent primarily conducting sound and vibration testing on commercial products like outboard motors and snowmobiles. Since that time, the company has grown to encompass 65+ employees who design and build parts for the Department of War and

nearly all the recognizable large prime contractors that build the tanks, trucks, ships, and aircraft. We supply platforms such as the Abrams tank, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, HMMWV, DDG-51 Destroyer, Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter, B-52 Bomber, and F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The company has grown by vertically integrating the capabilities required to supply defense, allowing us to offer lower prices, shorter lead times, and to respond quickly to changing priorities. GLSV has recently completed a facility expansion that takes us to 60,000 square feet at our airpark location and a 30% ESOP transaction. These commitments and investments are intended to anchor GLSV in the Keweenaw for the long term and secure the next 30 years.

Each awardee shared an overview of their company’s work and expressed appreciation for those who supported and nominated them through the competitive selection process. Attendees also heard keynote presentations from Tracy Johnson, CEO of InitiativeOne Leadership Institute, who presented Growing Through Fear, Leading Through Conflict and Marty Fittante, CEO of InvestUP, who presented Time to Step UP.

Members of the Upper Peninsula Economic Development Alliance were also in attendance and brought the Annual Meeting to a close by presenting their Non-Profit of the Year award to Great Lakes Recovery Centers. The Annual Meeting serves as an opportunity to reflect on accomplishments, strengthen partnerships, and reinforce OAUP’s commitment to supporting business growth and economic vitality across the Upper Peninsula. To learn more about Operation Action U.P., visit www.operationactionup.com.