Chamber bestows annual awards
By Staff
Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
The Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce used a luncheon this year to mark the changing of its leadership and the recognition of local businesses and volunteers.
The chamber’s annual banquet was held Monday at Sparkman Civic Center. This marks the first time the chamber has held a luncheon as opposed to a night meeting for its banquet.
Guest speaker for the event was Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville. Aderholt’s district includes part of Morgan County and he addressed the needs of the area, including work on Highway 36 and other county projects.
The chamber’s top awards were also presented. The Caring Place was presented the Dr. Thomas M. Guyton Humanitarian Award. Eddie Preuitt Ford was presented with the E.R. Roberts Business and Civic Award. Randy Garrison, advertising manager for the Enquirer, was named the Ambassador of the Year.
The chamber’s outgoing directors were also recognized, as was the outgoing chairman. Outgoing directors are Anna Wilson, David Jones and Dr. Brad Drake. Outgoing chairman is Connie Drane. She handed over the gavel to incoming chairman, Donna Bonnett.
Directors for the chamber next year are Fred Smith, Adventures Unlimited; Matt Nail, Quail Creek Resort; Dr. Jason Stephenson, Stephenson Chiropractic; Jason Preuitt, Eddie Preuitt Ford; Bill Camp, Coldwell Banker Team Hartselle; Bob Jaques; Angela Brandon, Wal-Mart; Jeff Buettner, Buettner Electronics; and Todd Whatley, Sonoco, Baker Division.
Sponsors for the event were Redstone Federal Credit Union, Bank Independent, Emerson Climate Technologies - Copeland Division, Family Security Credit Union, First American Bank, Hartselle Enquirer, Mortgage America, Superior Bank, Wachovia, Black and Payne Service Inc., Drake Eye Center Inc., Eddie Preuitt Ford, Enquirer Printing, Gilchrist Pharmacy, Hartselle Heritage Funeral Home, Hartselle Medical Center, Peoples Bank, Welcome Wagon and YellowBook USA.
This year’s banquet committee were Faye Walker, Teri Appleton, Nancy Busby, Tammy Moss, Kathy White-Goodwin, JoAnn Stephenson, Bettye English, Annette Dean, Sherry Owens and Garrison.
