It was that time of year again as the Aurora Chamber of Commerce held its annual holiday luncheon, honoring LayerZero Power Systems and Tony Dockus as the 2023 Business of the Year and the 2023 Person of the Year, respectively, last Friday afternoon at the Bertram Inn Hotel & Conference Center in Aurora.
“We were extremely flattered, quite honestly, and bordering on shock,” LayerZero Power Systems Co-Founder Milind Bhanoo told The Weekly Villager. “It was completely unexpected. We are the kinds of guys that put our heads down and get to work. We are not in it for the recognition, but it sure feels nice to be recognized in the community we have been operating in for the last decade and credit goes to the people we work with.”
LayerZero Power Systems and Dockus were each presented with proclamations from Aurora Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin, an accommodation from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a certificate from Congressman David Joyce and another proclamation from Attorney General David Yost.
A manufacturer of electrical power distribution systems for mission critical applications which set up shop in Aurora in 2012, the company has come a long way since beginning as a start-up in Bilind’s garage and Co-Founder Dr. Jim Galm’s basement. The manufacturing part of the business started in Bhanoo’s garage and engineering, planning and development took place in Dr. Galm’s basement.
“Milind and I started the Company with a shared vision to be a top-tiered supplier of electronic equipment and we have grown up with Aurora and found that Aurora is a top-tier city to do business in,” Dr. Galm told The Weekly Villager. “I am very happy that they have recognized our growth.”
The founding partners were honored with a plaque from Jim Maullis, a member of the Aurora Awards Committee.
“To win you have to have high standards and stand out,” Maullis told the audience while introducing Bilind and Galm. “This prestigious award is presented to a local business or organization or agency that makes a positive contribution to the Aurora business community while showing a commitment to making Aurora a better place to work and live.”
After arriving in Aurora in 2012, the business has expanded, moving into a second building in 2021 and just breaking ground in 2023 for an additional 48,000 square feet to their existing building.
“LayerZero Power Systems was always one of the first companies to offer internships to Aurora high school seniors,” Maulis said of LayerZero Power System’s nomination for this prestigious honor. “They volunteer to help with the career forms as well as students in classes of electrical engineering and computer engineering.”
After Maulis recognized the partners, Mayor Benjamin took the stage to offer her congratulations.
“I am excited to recognize one of the great companies in Aurora,” Mayor Benjamin said. “Aurora is very fortunate to have a vibrant retail commercial industrial sector. We are glad that LayerZero Power Systems is in Aurora.”
Following Mayor Benjamin’s words, Bhanoo and Dr. Galm each took their turn expressing their gratitude for being recognized by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce.
“We wanted LayerZero Power Systems to give our customers the very best products and services and customer experience that we possible could,” Dr. Galm said. “Thanks to a team of very bright and hard-working professionals and associates we have made a lot of progress toward that goal.”
He added that he and Bhanoo started the company with nothing more than their life savings, which meant they could not afford to have a factory or office so they started in garages and basements but said it also meant that they were highly motivated to succeed.
After Dr. Galm spoke, it was Dockus’ turn to be recognized as the 2023 Person of the Year.
He was introduced by Aurora Chamber of Commerce Board Member David Benjamin.
Benjamin told the audience of Dockus’ military record, as a Vietnam War Veteran who served as a staff sergeant in the second battalion of the 501st Infantry and 101st Airborne Division and also served as a ranger.
According to Benjamin, this meant that Dockus was always on constant enemy patrols for intelligence purposes and would spend over 20 days at a time on patrol. The Airborne Division had the reputation of having the most enemy contact.
“I recognize it as a great accomplishment and a great honor,” Dockus told The Weekly Villager. “I have been living in the city of Aurora for about 47 years now and the businesses and the people who run the Chamber, the City, and the organizations that run the Chamber are made up of a lot of nice people. I respect their decision and I am quite happy about it.”
In addition to serving as a service officer in the Veterans of Foreign Wars American Legion Post 803 and Post 2629 in his retirement, Dockus also spearheaded the project to bring the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall to the City of Aurora this summer.
“It was done perfectly,” added Benjamin. “I told Tony I cannot imagine anyone being able to blend serenity and celebration the way you have, and you just could see it in his face as he opened the ceremony.”
Benjamin also lauded Dockus for his work with the VFW and constantly reaching out to fellow veterans about the programs the Veterans Administration offers.
When Dockus was called to the podium, all of the war veterans attending the luncheon were the first to rise in his honor. Mayor Benjamin then took her turn to offer praise to Dockus.
“It has been such a great pleasure working with you,” she said. “You are an incredible person and incredible leader in the community and thoroughly deserve this recognition.”
After collecting all of his accolades, Dockus offered a few closing remarks.
“Sometimes people ask me what is your overall philosophy?” he said. “I said well you have to get people involved and how do you get people involved? By listening. When you are talking to people there can be more than one way of accomplishing something. I appreciate being honored as the Person of the Year and it something I will cherish.”
