GREEN BAY (WLUK) — A Packers-sponsored program that pairs members of established companies with up-and-coming entrepreneurs around Wisconsin is celebrating its 14th year.

The Green Bay Packers Mentor-Protégé Program recently recognized its most recent participants with an event at Lambeau Field. The goal is to foster business growth, economic development and job creation throughout the state.

Mentor companies provide technical, managerial, financial or other guidance with their protégés, which are seeking to improve their competitive standing. Minority-owned, veteran-owned and woman-owned businesses account for 86% of the participating protégé businesses.

In the program’s 14 years, more than 431 full and part-time jobs have been created across 147 protégé companies in 46 different Wisconsin communities. Additionally, participating businesses have increased their annual revenue by a combined $107.3 million.

At the celebration event at Lambeau Field, awards were handed out for Most Valuable Mentor, Most Valuable Protégé and Comeback Player of the Year.

A new award also debuted this year: the Mark Murphy Hall of Fame Award, honoring retiring Packers president/CEO and his support for the Mentor-Protégé Program during his 17-year tenure. This award will be presented in future years to previous program participants or contributors who have made an outstanding contribution to the program or the local business community.

Partnerships receiving recognition for the 14th year of the Packers Mentor-Protégé Program are as follows:

Barb LaMue from New North mentored Stephanie Krubsack with Purevant LivingJohn Bozec from Schneider National mentored Melinda Stuart with Smart MovesGary Vaughan from Guident Business Solutions mentored Connie Vargas with BarlashRefilwe Magasa-Bockhort and LaTonya Fourté-Lyles from Northwestern Mutual mentored Daniel Doyen with D&T ConstructionMike Cornell from Arch Solar mentored Matthew Timler with Plug Light Bulb Electrical ServicesGary Vaughn from Guident Business Solutions mentored David Sun with SY Visual SolutionsJerry Mader from RAM Business Advisors mentored Daniel Gould with Uncommon Grounds Specialty Coffee Roaster