Great Lakes Wire

LANSING, MI – The Small Business Association of Michigan has honored Gina Thorsen, CEO of Stormy Kromer outdoor-wear brand, as its 2024 Advocate of the Year.

“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 was honored for her leadership and involvement in SBAM in the Upper Peninsula, but also across the state. She serves as secretary on the SBAM Board of Directors and regularly travels around the state to attend events with her peers while also encouraging more small business owners to participate. Thorsen also chairs the SBAM Broadband Task Force to better inform the Michigan High-Speed Internet office within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity on how best to support small business owners. She also sits on the Michigan Economic Development Corporation Executive Committee where she represents the small business voice, and she has been recognized by Corp! Magazine and Forbes as a female business owner to watch in her industry.

“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.”

Stormy Kromer is a family-centered outdoor brand that has been creating products for adventure-seekers since 1903. Their strong values of tradition and passion are carried through all their work. Headquartered in Ironwood, Michigan, Stormy Kromer supports American workers by ensuring that nearly all their manufacturing is done in the USA.

Thorsen was presented with the Advocate of the Year award on Thursday, June 13, during SBAM’s annual meeting in Lansing.

The Small Business Association of Michigan focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community through advocacy, collaboration, and buying power. Today they serve over 32,000 members in all 83 counties of Michigan. SBAM is located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol.