Savvi Formalwear : Honors Minnesota Leaders (Tuxedo, Black Tie, Weddings, Proms, and Special Occasions)



savvi seven		Annual Honors Celebrate Community Leaders, Help Charities Savvi Formalwear, a leading retailer of comfortable, elegant, and hip formalwear for weddings, proms, and special occasions, has announced its "Savvi Seven" honors - an annual event that celebrates the accomplishments of seven thought leaders and innovators who have contributed to the cultural, business, entertainment or other quality of life in Minnesota. Russell & Herder created the campaign for Savvi. The Savvi Seven will be featured in the media, on printed materials throughout the eight Savvi stores and in other corporate efforts. Each Savvi Seven participant was presented a $1,000 award to be given to the nonprofit of his choice. "This is a great way to recognize these noteworthy individuals who are helping maintain Minneapolis/St. Paul's national image as a desirable place to live and work. We're proud to be sponsoring this project, and we congratulate them on their selection," said Savvi president Mark Morrow.
Erik Saltvold		Better known as "Erik the Bike Man," Saltvold owns a chain of 10 bicycle shops in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Nonprofit: Minnesota Parks and Trails.

Stephen Seidel		As Director of Urban Programs with Habitat for Humanity International, Seidel provides guidance and direction to the local offices of Habitat for Humanity operating in urban and major metropolitan areas throughout the United States. Nonprofit: Habitat for Humanity International.

Vincent Francoual		Owner and Executive Chef of Vincent - a Restaurant in downtown Minneapolis, Francoual was born in France and has worked throughout Europe. He began culinary school in Souillac, France, at age fifteen. Four years later, he had culinary diplomas in Cuisine and Pastry. He also runs a private catering company. Nonprofit: Fraser (a human service organization that provides education, housing and health care services to children of all abilities and adults with special needs).

Adam Levy		Levy is the frontman of The Honeydogs and creative force behind the critically acclaimed "10,000 Years" CD, released under the United Musicians label belonging to songwriters Michael Penn and Aimee Mann. A social worker by day, Levy counsels juvenile offenders, low-income families and immigrants from the same building where his grandmother worked to help Jewish families emigrate from Germany in the late 1930s. Nonprofit: American Refugee Committee.

Luis Reséndiz		Reséndiz came to the United States in 1997 to learn English. Since then, he's earned a U.S. law degree and made Minnesota his home. He is a leader in the Hispanic community who contributes his time by helping non-profits and serving on the boards of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Teatro del Pueblo. Nonprofit: L'Etoile Du Nord French Immersion School.

Johnny Menyoungar		A native of Liberia, Menyongar is forward of the Minnesota Thunder professional soccer team. He led the United Soccer League in scoring as a rookie and, five years later, remains one of its leading goal scorers. He is also captain of the Liberian National Team. Menyongar brings an energy to the Thunder that makes it one of the league's leading franchises. Nonprofit: Rainbow School and Child Care.

Caleb McEwen		Caleb has risen through the ranks as a performer, writer and director, and is now Artistic Director of the Brave New Workshop. His work has enabled him to share the stage with such varied political figures as Paul Wellstone, Walter Mondale, Steve Forbes, Elizabeth Dole and Oliver North, all while upholding his theatre's maxim of "Positive Neutrality; Promiscuous Hostility." Nonprofit: ACLU Foundation.

		Previously Gingiss Formalwear, Savvi has been serving the formalwear needs of the Twin Cities for more than three decades. The company is part of a network of independent formalwear specialists, including more than 350 retail stores in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, Savvi Formalwear of Minnesota has a wholesale network that provides formalwear and accessories to customers in Greater Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas.