On May 6, 2026, the Daviess County CEO Cohort traveled to the northeast corner of Martin County to visit Wittmer Catering, where they were warmly welcomed by owners Lisa and Nate Wittmer. The visit provided students with an inside look at a thriving family-owned business built on hard work, faith, service, and dedication to the community.
Lisa and Nate shared the story of how the business began with humble roots. Early on, Lisa started catering out of her home so she could remain at home with her family while pursuing her passion for cooking and serving others. As demand continued to grow, the family added a food trailer in 2015, allowing them to expand their reach and customer base. In 2019, they opened their first building just before the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through perseverance and commitment, the business continued to grow, and in November 2025 they completed a major addition that more than doubled the size of their facility.
Today, Wittmer Catering handles an impressive 20–22 events each week. With the newly expanded space, the business has also added Tuesday and Thursday lunch orders along with freezer meal options for customers. The cohort learned how the company continues to adapt and meet the needs of the community while maintaining a high standard of service.
The family aspect of the business was especially meaningful to the students. Lisa and Nate’s two sons, Karsyn and Koen, both play active roles in the business and are graduates of the CEO program themselves. Karsyn completed the program in 2024, while Koen is part of this year’s cohort, demonstrating the family’s strong commitment to entrepreneurship and leadership.
Lisa spoke passionately about the mission behind the business, explaining that serving others is much more than simply providing food. She described it as a calling and shared how much joy comes from helping create memorable experiences for clients. Whether catering a small business lunch or a large wedding celebration, the team strives to deliver exceptional meals, beautiful presentation, and outstanding customer service.
When asked what has allowed Wittmer Catering to continue growing successfully, Lisa humbly pointed to several key values: impeccable service, being on time, flexibility and customization, reliability, attention to detail, and clear communication. These principles have helped establish trust within the community and set the business apart.
After touring the facility and hearing about the company’s journey, Lisa and Nate surprised the cohort with a fun hands-on experience by allowing each student to make their own individual pizza. The activity provided a memorable conclusion to an inspiring visit filled with valuable lessons about entrepreneurship, family, service, and passion.
The Daviess County CEO Cohort sincerely thanks Lisa and Nate Wittmer for their hospitality, wisdom, and generosity in sharing their story and encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs.
