Tag: Peter Hitch

2nd potential $500,000 pledge for Panoway emerges

June 7th, 2023

Total support to date this year expected to reach $1,052,500; momentum growing as donors step forward

Wayzata Conservancy Executive Director Peter Hitch announces a 2nd $500,000 is potentially available. City of Wayzata.

A yet to be identified former Wayzata resident who previously lived on Ferndale Road and in Harrington House has pledged to donate $500,000, subject to City approval.

Wayzata Conservancy Executive Director Peter Hitch made the announcement at the June 6th Wayzata City Council meeting.

Mr. Hitch also detailed a number of other pledges in recent weeks and days, and indicated that including the initial Carisch pledge of $500,000 the total for this fundraising year to date is expected to be at $1,052,500.

“I cannot tell you how excited I am to come before you tonight to talk to you about Panoway’s growing popularity.” stated Hitch. “Since your approval of the $500,000 lead gift from the Carisch Family on May 2nd, we have experienced a phenomenal resurgence of support for the Panoway project in it’s entirety. Specifically, and this is entirely new information for most people, over the last three weeks, and of course per our policy, pending [City] approval, we have agreed to an unrestricted pledge of another $500,000, coming from a former Wayzata resident…”

The pledge is expected to be before the City Council sometime in June or July for approval pending the usual process for receiving gifts for Panoway. The process includes attorney reviews, the signing of pledge documents and the like.

Hitch went on to describe a number of other smaller donations including a step down on the Lakewalk, two commitments to fund stone benches, and a donation for an additional Adirondack chair for Panoway Plaza.

City leaders expect additional donations will begin to flow in based upon these lead gifts, and additionally once the as construction of Phase 2A including the Lakewalk begins.

Stay tuned to Wayzata.com, your Panoway news leader.
Jon Reyerson is Chamber Person of the Year

November 2nd, 2022

The Wayzata Chamber of Commerce celebrated Jon Reyerson as the 2022 Person of the Year on October 13, 2022 at the Wayzata Country Club. Hundreds of Jon’s friends from the Wayzata Chamber and Wayzata Rotary were in attendance.

Anna Skemp, Becky Pierson, Jon Reyerson, Brooke Beyer, and Judy Johnson pose for a photo at the Wayzata Country Club to celebrate POTY 2022. Alex Bellus Photography.

The annual award is given to a Chamber member who goes above and beyond to serve the community and the Chamber in it’s mission to “elevate the experience of the Wayzata area, a charming destination embracing Lake Minnetonka, where our businesses and community thrive together.”

“Jon has been an active member of the chamber for over a decade, and throughout all of that time, has exhibited remarkable skills to directly benefit the Chamber and all of its activities. Jon shows up before the events begin, and is usually the last one standing – to ensure that no detail has been overlooked,” stated Wayzata Chamber president Becky Pierson in a release.

2021 Person of the year Peter Hitch indicated the Jon is “The ultimate Chamber Member, a promoter, a sponsor hound, a worker and an idea guy.”

Reyerson has a long standing reputation for working Chamber events including Wayzata Art Experience, James J. Hill Days, the Chilly Open, and much more. Congrats!
Peter Hitch – 2019 Wayzata Chamber Person of the Year

October 18th, 2019

The Greater Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Peter Hitch as the 2019 Person of the Year. Considerations for the award include a member who is an active participant and supporter of Chamber activities, a long-standing contributor to the economic, civic, commercial, and educational interests of the greater Wayzata area and someone who makes a difference to the community. 2019 marks the 53rd Person of the Year celebration.

Peter has brought nothing but passion to his 40-plus year business career in corporate law, intermodal transportation, sports technology, food, computer businesses and property management. Peter is the 14-year owner and president of Data Doctors in Wayzata. His interest in IT became the basis for assisting small businesses and individuals with the whole range of computer, networking and technology issues. With a motto of “there’s plenty of time between midnight and 6:00 am,” it’s been his volunteering that has brought him the biggest rewards. Sports with his wife, Wendy, and two athletic daughters turned into youth sports coaching: skiing, soccer, golf and platform tennis. Somehow there was time for more.

Believing in “learning by doing,” Peter joined the team that launched the Minnesota Children’s Museum in 1978, helping it grow into ever-evolving educational experience and a national institution. In the 1980s and ‘90s, Peter helped the YMCA Camp Warren Board bring its mission of building integrity, self-reliance, and leadership for boys to separate single gender camping for girls, too. “Warren is simply life-changing,” he says

A member of the Greater Wayzata Chamber of Commerce for the past 15 years (Board Chair in 2014 and 2015), he helped develop the Chamber’s current Vision Statement and Five Year Strategic Plan for 2015-2020.

Peter has worked with the chamber staff and a creative, inspirational committee to build Wayzata’s biggest festival, James J. Hill Days. His goal was to bring fun to volunteering building on the success of dachshund races, car shows and street markets, developing significant sponsors and instituting “enhancements” like music concerts, fireworks, carnival, log rolling, an outdoor movie, a night market, and “water wow” spectacles such as water ski shows, voyageur canoe races, wake surfing and flyboarding demonstrations.

A long-standing community member, Jeff Dayton, said it best. “Peter is a tireless promoter and friend of Wayzata and deeply deserves this honor!”

The Greater Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce will hold The Person of the Year Luncheon in Peter’s honor on Thursday October 24th at the Wayzata Country Club from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The cost is $25. Register online at wayzatchamber.com.

The Greater Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce is a vibrant membership organization serving businesses and individuals in the greater Wayzata area. The mission of the Chamber is to advocate and promote the interest of its’ retail, professional and community members.

Tag: Peter Hitch

2nd potential $500,000 pledge for Panoway emerges

Jon Reyerson is Chamber Person of the Year

Peter Hitch – 2019 Wayzata Chamber Person of the Year