Dan Fritch to Receive 33rd Annual Distinguished Citizen Award from Buffalo Trace Council, Scouting America

Dan Fritch, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Matrix Integration, will receive the 33rd Annual Distinguished Citizen Award from Buffalo Trace Council, Scouting America, at a banquet on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at the Huntingburg Event Center.

The recognition carries particular significance as Fritch helped establish the award itself in 1993, creating what has become a cornerstone fundraising event for local youth programs over more than three decades.

Fritch’s journey from teenage entrepreneur to regional business leader began while he was still a junior at Jasper High School, when he started his first business recording special events. After working full-time at The Sound of Music while earning his associate degree in business administration from Vincennes University-Jasper, graduating with distinction in 1983, he purchased the company’s telecommunications division in 1984.

That acquisition of Commsound Telecommunications marked the beginning of significant business growth. Fritch expanded the operation from five to 35 employees before recognizing the convergence of voice and data technologies in the mid-1990s.

In 1997, Fritch merged his telecommunications company with Brenda Stallings’ The Computer Center to form Matrix Integration. The combined entity has grown into a leading IT infrastructure company serving over 1,000 businesses across Indiana and Kentucky, with more than 80 IT professionals operating from offices in Jasper and Louisville.

Matrix Integration serves as the presenting sponsor for this year’s Distinguished Citizen Award banquet, alongside Best Home Furnishings.

The award recognizes Fritch’s extensive community involvement beyond his business success. As an Eagle Scout himself, his commitment to Scouting includes co-founding the Lincoln Heritage District Distinguished Citizen Award, which continues to generate significant funding for youth programs throughout the region.

Fritch’s service extends deeply into his parish community at St. Joseph Church, where he received the Brute Society Award for his contributions. He chaired the parish’s $10 million “Our Time” Capital Campaign and has spent more than 25 years helping broadcast weekly Masses for homebound parishioners. He currently serves as Finance Commission Chairperson and on the Parish Council.

His community leadership has earned multiple recognitions, including the Jasper Chamber of Commerce President’s Community Excellence Award in 2016, selection as Strassenfest Grand Marshal in 2020, recognition as Jasper High School Outstanding Alumnus in 2021, and the Vincennes University Distinguished Alumni Award in 2024.

Fritch has served as president of the Vincennes University Jasper Foundation Board for over 15 years, demonstrating a sustained commitment to educational advancement in the region.

Fritch resides in Jasper with his wife Sara. They have three sons – Landon (Amie), Luke (Ashley), and Lyle (Hannah) – and eight grandchildren.

The banquet will feature keynote speaker Justin Maust, founder of EntreLegacy Group and an Expert EOS Implementer who has conducted over 1,500 leadership training sessions across the country. Maust, who is also a Certified Speaker, Trainer, and Coach for The John Maxwell Team, operates under the mission to “Bless People. Grow Companies. Fund Ministry.”

The 33rd Annual Distinguished Citizen Award Banquet will begin with a reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:45 p.m. (EDT) on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at the Huntingburg Event Center in Huntingburg, Indiana. Reservations are required by September 21st, with limited seating available.

Individual tickets are $85 per person, with sponsorship opportunities available, including $1,000 Star Sponsorships that include eight seats at a reserved table and program advertising. The event also offers community members the opportunity to sponsor Scout attendance for $85 per ticket.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting Jason Schmitt by phone at 812.481.5030 or by email: dca@duboisdca.org.