JANESVILLE — Blain’s Farm & Fleet President and CEO Jane Blain Gilbertson was honored prior to Sunday’s American Heart Association Bert Blain Memorial Heart Walk, in recognition of her approaching retirement.
Blain Gilbertson’s retirement was announced earlier this summer, and will be effective in September.
Tracy Earll, regional executive director for the American Heart Association, offered remarks on behalf of the organization and the event, thanking Blain Gilbertson for her involvement.
“The American Heart Association would also like to congratulate Jane on her retirement, but also thank her so much for everything she has brought to the organization. It is important for you guys to know that there is no better champion in the state of Wisconsin than Blain’s, and we want to make sure that this community knows how important they are and how important Jane is,” Earll said, giving her a gift box.
Prior to the thanks and the gift, Blain Gilbertson shared the story of her father, Bert. One of only two American Heart Association Heart Walks in the nation named in the memory of an individual, the event was named after Bert Blain, one of the co-founders of Blain’s Farm & Fleet in Janesville.