MOUNT VERNON — This year’s recipient of the chamber of commerce’s lifetime achievement award received a standing ovation from the large crowd attending the annual awards ceremony. Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis joined the ranks of past recipients Bill Burgett, William Stroud, Ron Staats and Walter Rudin when he accepted the award Saturday.
The Mount Vernon-Knox County Chamber of Commerce held the event in The Dan Emmett Conference Center; it attracted a large crowd made up of members of the local business community as well as elected officials such as State Rep. Thom Collier, who served as master of ceremonies.
In presenting the award, Joel Daniels, administrator of Central Ohio Technical College’s Knox Campus and who served as Mount Vernon’s safety-service director alongside Mavis for nine years, said the mayor’s efforts and service to the community have improved the quality of life of all Knox County residents. Mavis became mayor in 1996 and previously served for many years as Knox County Commissioner. Before becoming commissioner, he was a high school teacher and coached football and track.
“He’s served the community for over 35 years and set a high standard for all elected officials,” Daniels said.
Daniels said Mavis has been instrumental in the creation of the Kokosing Gap Trail, the acquisition and development of Foundation Park, the construction of a new city water plant and fire department buildings, the completion of a major improvement project on Coshocton Avenue, and the renovation and reopening of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad depot. Daniels said Mavis was not alone in these efforts but that without his efforts, those accomplishments would not have been achieved.
“His ability to drive and fund a project has always amazed me,” Daniels said.
Mavis said he never felt he has had to work because he’s loved every day he’s spent as mayor and commissioner.
“I feel I have many more years to give to this wonderful community,” he said.
Knox Community Hospital won the Business of the Year award. Gordon Yance, president of First-Knox National Bank, which sponsored the award, presented the award to Bruce White, chief executive officer for KCH.
“The standard of care and service at KCH is second to none, regardless of size of the facility or the community,” said Yance. “With its level of healthcare excellence, commitment to this community, and progressive thinking, KCH plays an important role in the economic development. With over 600 employees, KCH is also a vital economic engine for Knox County.”
White, expressed his appreciation for the award, adding that he was proud that KCH was included in the same group as the other two nominees — CES Credit Union and Jeld-Wen Windows & Doors. He said the representatives from the other two nominees would agree that running a successful business is a huge team effort.
“We have a wonderful team at KCH and were supported by all the people who work with us,” White said.
W.g. Grinders won the Small Business of the Year award, sponsored by the local law firm Zelkowitz, Barry and Cullers. Nominees for the award must meet the same criteria as the Business of the Year award, but must have less than 50 employees.
Kathy Trimble, who presented the award, said W.g. Grinders owners Tom and Gayle Reber have been active in fund-raisers for local schools, churches and organizations through the years, raising over $11,000 in total donations. She said the restaurant gives customers prompt serve and a quality product and provides a fun, family environment.
“W.G. Grinders is diligent in listening to their customers, looking for new opportunities to grow and staying close to the community,” she said.
Gayle Reber expressed her appreciation for those who voted for W.G. Grinders.
The other nominees for Small Business of the Year were The Alcove Restaurant & Lounge and Fast Eddy’s.
The winner of the Paul Slaughter Volunteer of the Year was Charlie Brenneman, owner of Brenneman Lumber. Embarq sponsored the award. Jim Kelly, public relations manager at Embarq, said volunteer work is a part of Brenneman’s life and his efforts have had a significant impact on Knox County over the years. An active member of the local Kiwanis clubs, Brenneman worked tirelessly on the new chamber of commerce’s building on South Gay Street, coached little league baseball, served as a board member of KCH, and co-chaired the 2007 United Way campaign.
“Asked why he does what he does, [Brenneman] said ‘it’s just the way it is,’” Kelly said.
Brenneman said there are probably many others who deserve the award more than he does, adding that he “could not do this without the the support of my wife and key employees at work.”
Other nominees were Phil Samuell of Ariel Corp. and Leroy Bumpus of First Federal Savings and Loans in Centerburg.
The Investor of the Future award went to George Small of Noble Properties. The nominees for this award demonstrate vision and a commitment to the future of Knox County by a significant investment in the youth of the community. Patricia Mickley of Real Estate Showcase, the sponsor of the award, said Small’s mission is to help families in need to find quality housing. She said Small recently went out of his way to help a couple with a small child find an apartment after they had been evicted from their previous residence.
“George Small’s motto is that he will not rent any apartment that he would not rent himself,” Mickley said.
Small said he appreciates the award more than anyone can imagine, and he asked for prayers as he continues to endeavor to help the less fortunate members of the community. Colonial Music and the Knox County Educational Service Center were the other nominees.
The Quality of Life Award went to New Directions, a local social service agency that provides safe housing for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Knox County. KCH sponsored the award. White said New Directions executive director Mary Hendrickson has worked tirelessly over the last 20 years, not only to provide housing services to victims of abuse, but in overseeing the the DELTA Project, a program that aims to promote healthy relationships and prevent violence in the home before it starts.
Hendrickson said she will continue to work to provide safe housing for women and children that are victims of domestic violence and will remain committed toward primary prevention.
The other nominees for the award were Knox County Board of MRDD and Knox County Historical Society.
The Women in Business Leadership award was given to Dr. Bonnie Coe, president of COTC. The nominees for the award exemplify leadership and public service in a way that inspires other women to achieve their full leadership potential.
John Walsh of Fredericktown Chevrolet, the business that sponsored the award, said Coe’s has enjoyed many honors and awards for her tremendous contribtion to the field of education. Her extensive work experience includes training and development at a number of hospitals, working as a a high school teacher and principal, vice president and dean of faculty for COTC. He said Coe is the driving force behind COTC’s ambitious plan to expand into Knox County.
Coe said she only feels comfortable accepting the award on behalf of all the women and men who have worked to make the COTC Knox Campus a realtity.
The other nominees were Susan Sukys, president of Money Concepts Wealth Management & Financial Planning, and Sara Pifer, owner of Decorating Designs.
Dr. David Wineland, owner of iCare Vision Center, took home the Heart Award for his preservation and rehabilitation of an old church at 110 Coshocton Ave. Nominees for the award must have renovated or built a facility that displays an excellence in architectural design and compliments the community.
Kim Rose of Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston, the law firm that sponsored the award, said Wineland took a building that was in rough shape and turned it into a beautifully, well-preserved facility; a rehab project that has received positive feedback from neighbors.
Wineland said the project sought not only to preserve the architecture of the building but to preserve and preserve and honor the religious aspects of the building.
Other nominees for the award were the Mount Vernon Country Club and the village of Fredericktown.
Before the awards were distributed, Gene Jackson of National City Bank, the chairman of the chamber’s board of directors, said the chamber is financially condition is strong and the chamber doing so well largely because of its excellent leadership. He said there are 390 chamber members who employ a total of 13,979 people. Total dues and investments for 2007 were $124,976; the chamber had an annual budget of $221,000.
Chamber treasurer Mitch Durbin received the Chairman’s Award, given to a chamber board member who demonstrates a level of commitment by which all board members should be judged. Jackson said Durbin’s commitment and succesful efforts have helped make the chamber’s financial condition strong.
Durbin said he appreciates the award, but added that running a successful chamber of commerce is a team effort. He praised the leadership of Jackson, chamber president Holly Quaine, office manager Carol Grubaugh and the chamber’s membership base.