Julie Warren Of Erie Design Named Lakewood Chamber Of Commerce Business Person Of The Year

Ms. Julie Warren, owner of Erie Design in Lakewood, has been selected as the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce 2015 Business Person of the Year.

Julie Warren has been a business owner in Lakewood for 16 years. She and her husband Shawn own and operate Erie Design, a local sign company specializing in banners, vehicle lettering, interior and exterior signs and full-color graphics. Serving as a member of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 9 years, Julie chairs the Chamber’s Membership and Marketing Task Force, has been a member of the Taste of Lakewood planning committee and interviews high school candidates for Lakewood Chamber of Commerce scholarships. “The Lakewood Chamber has been a constant for Erie Design since we opened our doors in 1999” said Ms. Warren. “The Chamber is a major network of people who care about our community like I do. I have met so many other small business owners and know that some of our most loyal customers come to us because of our membership with the Chamber. By being an active participant with the Lakewood Chamber, I have developed strong relationships, have a strong sense of pride in my community and have sustained a thriving business for 16 years.”

Next to the adjective “civic-minded” in the dictionary should be a picture of Julie Warren. Beyond her involvement with the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Warren is an active member of LakewoodAlive and has served on both the Housing and Development committees and chaired the organization’s 10-year anniversary gala “Loving Lakewood: Alive and Thriving” in 2014. She is also a past president of Lincoln Elementary School PTA and organized the week-long celebration commemorating the school’s 100th birthday in 2013. She is an active member of Lakewood Congregational Church (UCC) where she chairs the church’s Executive Team, sings in the church choir and band and co-directs the annual youth musical. Ms. Warren portrays Amelia Earhart, Ruth Etting and Mae West as an actress with "Women in History," an organization that recreates the lives of notable women through live performances throughout the region. As a past president of the Junior Women’s Club of Lakewood Julie worked on fundraising projects such as the “Sitting Pretty” park bench art auction and Breakfast with the Bunny. She has served on the Board of Trustees of the Lakewood Historical Society and the Lakewood Public Library Gala committee and is a member of Lakewood Music Boosters.

Those who are lucky to know Julie as a friend also know of her passion for community at the micro-level, whether she is organizing the Virginia Avenue Block Party, appearing as Princess Leia or the Bride of Frankenstein on Trick-or-Treat night, caroling with the Peddlers of Mirth, or sharing laughs and conversation over a glass a wine with book club friends. Regardless of the ‘stage’, Ms. Warren’s love for her community is what drives her actions and fuels her willingness to participate. She feels that everyone has a civic responsibility not only to care - but to ask - “What can I do?” or “How can I help?” As a resident, volunteer, Chamber member and business owner, Ms. Warren truly believes in the saying, “What you put into life is what you get out of it.”

For her service to the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, her support of the business and non-profit communities, and for her passion for Lakewood as a great place to live, work, volunteer, and do business, the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Ms. Julie Warren as their 2015 Business Person of the Year.

Julie and Shawn have two daughters, Lindy and Audrey, both students in Lakewood City Schools.

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce presented the 2015 Business Person of the Year award to Ms. Julie Warren at its Annual Awards Luncheon at Vosh Lakewood on June 19th.