Brookings Mayor Oepke "Ope" Niemeyer presented the Most Inspirational Award at the Mayor’s Holiday Celebration and Awards Event on Dec. 6.
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Brookings Mayor Oepke "Ope" Niemeyer presented the Most Inspirational Award at the Mayor’s Holiday Celebration and Awards Event on Dec. 6:
The mayor wanted to recognize the inspiring work and commitment of individuals in Brookings with the creation of the Mayor’s Most Inspirational Award. This award will be given to a community member over the age of 40, who has made a significant impact in the community by recognizing contributions in community engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness, diversity, and innovation. Overall, they are a remarkable individual in their work and commitment.
Jay Bender is the CEO of Falcon Plastics. Falcon Plastics is a third-generation, family-owned business, headquartered in Brookings with facilities across the US and abroad.
Falcon Plastics provides mid-to-high volume injection molding and blow molding, along with finished goods assembly, tool design and building, rapid prototyping, and engineering.
Bender currently serves as chair of the Research Park at SDSU, chair of the Vison Brookings Management Committee, is a member of the SDSU Foundation Council of Trustees, and sits on the board of directors for Valley Queen Cheese Factory and East Brookings Business and Industry Association.
Bender is the past chair of the Brookings Area United Way, the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce, the Brookings Economic Development Corporation, and the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He also served on the board of the National Association of Manufacturers. Bender graduated from SDSU in 1982 with a BS in mechanical engineering.
