Stormy Kromer CEO named 2024 Small Business Advocate of the Year

by: Local 3 News Team

Posted: Jun 17, 2024 / 06:00 PM EDT

Updated: Jun 17, 2024 / 06:01 PM EDT

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WJMN) — The leader of one of the Upper Peninsula’s most iconic outdoor apparel company has been named the top advocate for small businesses in the state.

Stormy Kromer CEO Gina Thorsen was given the honor by the Small Business Association of Michigan for her strong advocacy for the Upper Peninsula and her efforts to get more small business owners involved in the larger community.

“Gina has been and continues to be a strong advocate in the Upper Peninsula, recruiting more small businesses to get involved in efforts to make Michigan a great place to operate a small business,” said SBAM President and CEO Brian Calley. “Gina’s work at Stormy Kromer since taking over the company when her father retired is simply remarkable. Her commitment to the success of all small businesses is impressive and she is a strong voice across the state in this arena. Her hard work and dedication to protecting small businesses and American companies makes us proud to name her our 2024 Advocate of the Year.”

Thorsen serves as secretary on the SBAM Board of Directors and regularly travels around the state to attend events with her peers. She also sits on the Michigan Economic Development Corporation Executive Community and a task force for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

“Supporting and advocating for fellow small businesses is something I take great pride in and I’m extremely grateful to SBAM for this recognition,” Thorsen said. “All of us small businesses are connected and have to support one another for us all to thrive and SBAM makes that connection possible.”