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Milton's Mark and Lori Warren juggle business and volunteering

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Photo by Dan Lassiter

Mark and Lori Warren

MILTON — Where there are community needs, there are Warrens.

Whether it's charitable donations, work on civic committees, help with economic development initiatives or service to their country, Mark and Lori Warren are routinely in the mix.

The Milton couple own American Awards & Promotions, which they bought from Mark's father in 1998.

In addition to the business, community service is a family tradition.

"The community has helped us so much, so it's necessary for us to give back," Lori said.

"And we've gained so much more than we've put in," Mark added.

He said his parents, Jim and Marianne Warren, instilled in him an acute attention to community. That's apparent in the fact that his mother and a brother, Dave, previously have been featured in the Gazette's People Who Matter section.

"The same thing's true for me," Lori said. "My mom was so involved … the president of the PTA, the chair of the 4-H club."

The Warrens are humble people, hesitant to talk about the community initiatives they support. But it's a long list, as many others are quick to point out: Optimist Club, FFA, Knights of Columbus, YMCA, St. Mary Catholic Church, city committees, high school career days, and leadership positions with chambers of commerce in Milton, Fort Atkinson and Janesville.

Lori has played key leadership roles in the formation of the Healthy Communities Cooperative and with the Milton Area Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism. She recently was named president-elect of the Awards and Recognition Association, an industry organization of 4,000 companies in the awards and engraving industry.

"They've got a lot of balls in the air," said John Beckord, president of Forward Janesville, where Mark has been active on the government relations council.

"He's such a positive person, always looking for the silver lining even in difficult situations."

With more than 28 years in the military, Mark is a lieutenant colonel with the Wisconsin Army National Guard. He previously was deployed to Afghanistan and Bosnia; now he serves as an executive officer with the 64th Troop Command Brigade.

Lori said Mark's military commitment seems to occupy half his day.

"It doesn't take half my day, but it certainly takes more than half of my thought process," he said. "I take a lot of pride in the National Guard."

Jim Lyke is a close family friend. In fact, he grew up with Mark and roomed with him at UW-Whitewater.

"Community service is huge with them, always has been," Lyke said. "Publicity is not their motivation. Wherever they see a need, they just step forward.

"I think they just feel fortunate to be in the community, have their own business, a good life and want to give something back."

Mark and Lori said what they do is not unique. Businesses should support their communities.

"We try to do as much as we can, but we can't do it all," Mark said.

Maybe it just seems that way.