March 22 marked a milestone for Cindy Rowe, owner of Cindy Rowe Auto Glass, as her company reached 25 years in business. Surrounded by friends and associates, Rowe celebrated the anniversary with a luncheon at office headquarters in Harrisburg, Pa.

Shortly before noon, Richard Bouder, Commissioner of Swatara Township presented a Proclamation for Outstanding Achievement to Rowe, and after a buffet-style luncheon local radio personality RJ Harris took the microphone as master of ceremony.

"She has many fans here," Harris said of Rowe. "She is one of the most respected entrepreneurs in the mid-state, regardless of sex. There aren't many people in Harrisburg who can say they've been written up in USA Today."

Dennis Yablonsky, Secretary of the Community and Economic Development Committee in Pennsylvania addressed the crowd as keynote speaker.

"I have a deep and abiding respect for sales people, which I think Cindy would say she was, as well as entrepreneurs. Businesses like this don't make it past five years. A lot of people don't have the wherewithal to build businesses the way Cindy did," he said.

Other presentations to Rowe included James O'Malley of Sika, who presented Rowe with a plaque and Rodger Pickett, vice president and general manager of Cindy Rowe Auto Glass who, on behalf of the Cindy Rowe employees, presented Rowe with 25 roses and her first tool kit, framed.

"We wanted to let it signify where it all started," Pickett said of the gift, which included pictures of Rowe in her early days of windshield repair. "What makes Cindy so successful is how she treats employees. She's not afraid of changes and she's always looking to be on the forefront of change."

Rowe, visibly touched by the gesture addressed the crowd, choking back tears as she did so.

"Yes, I have wonderful employees and I couldn't do it without them. It's been a great 25 years and I've enjoyed it," she said.