Pair inducted into hall of fame

SANDUSKY — The Erie County Chamber of Commerce recently announced the induction of two local business leaders, James "Jim" Oram Wible and Daniel "Dan" Delahunt, into its business hall of fame. An induction ceremony occurred on Dec. 7 at its annual reception at the Sandusky-area Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. "This recognition acknowledges their contributions and pivotal roles in shaping Erie County's business landscape," according to an event statement. Established in 2001, the chamber's hall of fame honors local business leaders, provides inspiration to current and future generations and showcasestheir significant contributions to Erie County, the region, and beyond. "With 131 individuals previously inducted, this ceremony continues its tradition of celebrating remarkable business achievements," according to an event statement. The criteria for nomination include 20 years of successful activity in a for-profit endeavor at a senior or ownership level, must live in Erie County and can be retired but still engaged in some active fashion in the business. All industries and professional are eligible for the award. The chamber provided some information about the newest inductees: James "Jim" Oram Wible Wible is co-founder and long-time president of American Colors in Sandusky. His journey to success began in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he graduated high school and received his bachelor of arts degree in economics from Allegheny College. He then received his master's of business administration degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, and his career commenced at PPG Industries as a sales tepresentative in Cincinnati and Detroit. At American Colors, he propelled the company to prominence, serving as president for 43 years before assuming the role of board chairman. Under his leadership, American Colors expanded globally, boasting facilities in multiple locations across the U.S. and abroad. Wible, married to wife Norma since 1975, is a dedicated family man with three children: Judson, Jerald, and Leslie. At the event, Brian Huntley, a 2022 chamber hall of fame inductee and president of Peerless Manufacturing in Sandusky, spoke of Wible's entrepreneurial spirit, highlighting the impact of Wible's contributions to the business community. Daniel "Dan" Delahunt A lifelong resident of Erie County, Delahunt's entrepreneurial journey began after graduating from Huron High School in 1972. As the owner-operator of HMS Midwest, he secured exclusive rights through HMS National to market and sell home warranties across several states. Dan's commitment to community revitalization was evident through his realty firm involvement, ownership of commercial properties and strategic remodeling projects in Sandusky, notably the Reber and the Hubbard buildings. Actively engaged in city planning, Dan remains a proud Sandusky resident with two sons, Michael and Timothy, and longtime partner, Gina Risaliti. Michael Delahunt, financial adviser for Baird and chairman of the Board for North Coast Young Professionals, took the stage to introduce his father, Dan Delahunt, at the event. Michael highlighted Dan's significant contributions to Sandusky while shedding light on his ongoing endeavors to preserve the natural habitat along Lake Erie.