Shiffler named person of the year
Medford attorney Mike Shiffler has been named the 2025 Medford Area Chamber of Commerce Person of the year and retired veterinarian Catherine Miller-Temme will received Lifetime Achievement Award recognition.
Sue Ackerman and Jean Czerniak will receive Employee Excellence recognition at the annual Medford Area Chamber of Commerce Recognition Banquet to be held Friday, January 24 at Centennial Community Center in Stetsonville.
Person of the year
Mike Shiffler is a partner at Jensen, Scott, Grunewald and Shiffler law firm in Medford. He is a 1992 Medford Area Senior High School graduate and came back to work with the law firm in 2001.
As an attorney Shiffler has built a respected career in general practice, family law, Guardian ad Litem, and corporate law.
One of his nominations states, “His legal expertise, combined with his deep sense of compassion, has allowed him to make a significant impact on individuals
See SHIFFLER on page 4 and families in his community, particularly through his work advocating for children in his role as Guardian ad Litem. He is know for his professionalism, integrity and dedication, earning the admiration of his clients, fellow attorneys and judges alike.”
Beyond his professional career, Shiffler is described as being “devoted and committed to the local community.”
His nomination letters cite his numerous community activities.
“This past summer he chaired a highly successful Kiwanis Music in the Park series putting in many long hours before, during and after the concerts to arrange performers, work the concessions and help book future acts. In addition, he serves as vice president of the Medford Area Performing Arts and works to bridge generations in an appreciation of music and live performances.
He also is a past president of the Library Foundation where he worked helping ensure the future of this important educational asset in the community. Shiffler is a president of the Medford Education Foundation, organizing fundraisers every year to keep the foundation’s mission strong and providing scholarships to local students pursuing educational goals beyond high school.
Shiffler has been an active member of the Medford Curling Club for many years and has volunteered numerous hours at bonspiels and club events, helping ensure the club’s continued success.
In addition to these activities, Shiffler puts in hours every fall and winter decorating (and undecorating) the city park for the Kiwanis Holiday Magic on the Medford Riverwalk display. Through Kiwanis, Shiffler has received distinguished service recognitions multiple times and is a former club president and board member.”
“Shiffler is the person who embodies the concept of service leadership always willing to put in the hours while avoiding the spotlight,” his nomination states. “Shiffler is the solid, dependable rock upon which communities are built and helps make the community a better place to be.”
Catherine Miller-Temme
From a career with the Medford Veterinary Clinic to serving on boards and volunteering with organizations, Catherine Miller-Temme embodies the ideal of the Lifetime Achievements Award.
According to her nomination Miller-Temme was hired in September 1980 to the Medford Veterinary Clinic, the first woman hired here and believed to be the first large animal veterinarian serving in Northern Wisconsin.
“All 5’6”, 120 lbs of her had to break social norms that she could perform large animal practices. There were also traditional beliefs that this was not ‘women’s work.’ Skill and her strong mindset of following her choice won her a place in the workplace. This was not an easy task but foreshadows her pursuing goals that she believes in,” her nomination letter states.
Miller-Temme has been active in a number of community organizations over her time in Medford including: Holy Rosary Parish - Member of the committee on education, reader at mass, volunteer in the school with multiple subjects, currently on the social justice committee board.
Medford Area Public Schools - She was one of Nancy
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Hemmer’s earliest members and “Reading Buddy” for more than 12 years.
Hospital nursing home - She was a longtime reader for groups of seniors, mostly reading chapters of James Gerriots books on his veterinary experiences in 1940s England.
Medford Veterinary Clinic - Did tours of elementary students and gave talks with students about how to interact with other people’s pets.
Medford Public Library - Served on the library board from 2006 to 2012, volunteered to help in many library functions and programs, provided veterinary care and consultation for the various library pets over the years.
Rib Lake Ski and Snowshoe Club - A 30+ year member, helping in all activities needed to help create and maintain some of Wisconsin’s finest cross country ski and snowshoe trails. Served as race director for 10 years for the annual Hinderbinder Cross Country Ski Race.
Black River Industries - Served as a board member from 2016 to 2021 including three years as board chairman.
Blood donor - Longtime consistent blood donor with pins for the gallons of blood donated.
Centennial Apartments - Currently serves on Medford Area Housing Inc. board which runs Centennial Apartments for income qualifying elderly and disabled residents.
Red Cross - Served as the local representative to the American Red Cross including installing and promoting safety equipment and working with families after fires.
AARP Tax Program - Worked to get this program locally that provides tax assistance free of charge with a focus on those who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. She started the courses in 2013 and began offering tax help in 2014. The program has run continuously and this year has a crew of 15 people. Last year they helped 180 area residents.
Employee Excellence
Each year the Medford Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes employees who have gone above and beyond in service to their companies and communities. This year, selection committee members chose Sue Ackerman of AbbyBank and Jean Czerniak of Centennial Community Center to recognize.
Ackerman serves as Medford Branch Manager with AbbyBank and in her nomination letter it was noted she is “not only dedicated to her role as branch manager, but also fosters a supportive and empowering environment for her team. Known for her thoughtfulness and generosity, she consistently encourages her colleagues to develop professionally and give back to the community.”
Her nomination states: “Sue Ackerman’s inspiring leadership, dedication to AbbyBank, and unwavering commitment to the Medford community make her a remarkable candidate for the employee excellence award. Her work ethic, contributions and community involvement have left an enduring legacy that enriches both her colleagues and the community she serves.”
Jean Czerniak is the head cook at Centennial Community Center in Stetsonville.
Her nomination states: “Not only is Jean a good cook, but it is her wise planning and organizational skills that keep the Centennial Hall running smoothly.”
In addition to cooking at the hall and catering for businesses and private parties, Czerniak also cooks the meals served at the senior dining site in Stetsonville both for those dining at the hall and for home delivered meals in the area.
Her nomination states, “Jean’s years at the Centennial Community Center shows how dedicated and caring she feels about our community. She is an asset to Taylor County (and many outlying areas) and I would like to let her know how much she is appreciated.”
In addition to the lifetime achievement, person of the year and employee excellence award recognition, the Chamber will also be recognizing area businesses that have achieved milestones in their years of service to the community. Businesses reaching milestone anniversaries are invited to contact the Medford Area Chamber of Commerce to make sure you are on the list to be recognized.
(Above) Sue Ackerman (left) of AbbyBank was surprised to be recognized for employee excellence along with Jean Czerniak (below) of Centennial Community Center.
BRIAN WILSON/THE STAR NEWS Cathrine Miller-Temme reacts as Tony Meyer from the Chamber selection committee tells her she will receive the lifetime achievement award.
