Annual Awards Celebration

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Annual Awards Celebration

Pike County Chamber of Commerce

Annual Banquet & Awards Ceremony

front cover

Meadows

By Mary Meadows

Staff Writer

Courtesy of the

Pikeville Medical Leader

Hundreds of people poured into the Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center on July 16 for the Pike County Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony.

Dubbed "Pike County Magic," the event featured performances from the Big Sandy Singers and illusionist Terry Evanswood, who staged two "Magic Beyond Belief" acts and a private show for some attendees.

The Chamber also hosted a silent auction, bidding off items donated by local businesses to support its Foundation for Education Endowment Fund.

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce is growing strong in membership, President and CEO Brad Hall reported, with approximately 400 members and an 89 percent membership retention level during the economic downturn - a rate that's seven percent higher than the nation's average of 82 percent.

check

Hall and other officials presented a ceremonial $72,000 check to Hillbilly Clan 1, Outhouse 2, the Shriner's clan that raises money for Shriners Hospitals for Children during the annual Hillbilly Days Festival. Hall reported that it was the largest donation ever generated for the Shriners during Hillbilly Days.

James D. England

J.R. Blackburn

The Chamber welcomed new and returning board members and recognized Leadership Pike County graduates. The organization also bid farewell to outgoing board members and Chairperson James D. England, who wasreplaced by J.R. Blackburn of Merrill Lynch. Hall said Blackburn, the Chamber's 53rd chairman, served "countless hours" on the board for the past three years and worked with the Chamber's Ambassador Club and Hillbilly Days Festival committees. He earned the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Chamber and assisted Hall in presenting several awards to Pike County residents and businesses. He accepted the award on behalf of "hundredsofvolunteers"whohelp the organization each year.

Pikeville Medical Center was the premiere sponsor of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony, which was also supported by platinum sponsors: Appalachian Wireless, Citizens National Bank, and East Kentucky Broadcasting; gold sponsors: Pepsi Beverages Company, Care More Pharmacy, East Kentucky Expo Center, Community Trust Bank, Rock Solid Records Management Services; and silver sponsors: Appalachian News-Express, National College, U.S. Bank, State Representative W. Keith Hall, Pikeville College, East Kentucky Medical Billing and Management Services, Vantage Point, Inc., Humana, King's Daughters Medical Center and WYMT TV.

Lon B. Rogers Lifetime Achievement Award

The Chamber's most distinguished award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, was presented to M. Lynn Parrish of the Marwood Land Company. Parrish has worked in the coal industry in eastern Kentucky for more than three decades, serves on the governing boards for Community Trust Bancorp, Coal Operators and Associates, CEDAR, Inc., Pikeville-Pike County Airport, Pikeville Fellowship of Christian Athletes and other agencies. "Pike County is lucky to have Lynn as one of its citizens," Hall said. He and his wife, members of First Baptist Church of Pikeville, are active in their church and local communities. "I'm very honored to receive this award. I am very humbled and thankful," Parrish said.

Pike County Citizen of the Year

Officials recognized former Governor Paul Patton with the Citizen of the Year Award. Patton, the president of Pikeville College, has long been recognized for his support of education, the coal industry and other needs in eastern Kentucky. He served as Pike County Judge-Executive for 10 years and went on to work as the Lt. Governor and Governor of Kentucky. He thanked the crowd for the honor. "I hope my service has in some way repaid you all for your support. Thank you," he said.

Chairman's Award

Paulette

Attendees gave a standing ovation to Paulette Jones, who received a one-time Chairman's Award from the Chamber on behalf of her late husband, Randy. The beloved "voice of Pike County" of East Kentucky Broadcasting, was a tireless supporter of the Pike County Chamber. Her heartfelt thanks to the Chamber brought tears to officials who stood with her on stage.

Outstanding Contributions toward Community Service by an

Organization Award

Justice

John Justice of Coal Education Development and Resource (CEDAR) earned the award for Outstanding Contributions toward Community Service by an Organization. The organization works to improve the image of the coal industry and educate young people about the importance of coal. CEDAR annually hosts coal fairs for students to display coal-related projects they've completed, provides educational resources for teachers and tours of coal mining areas in the county.

Award for Service Organization of the Year

Shirley

The Coats for Kids Foundation, founded six years ago by Blackburn and his wife Shirley of AAA Real Estate, received the award for Service Organization of the Year. The nonprofit organization, which joined the Chamber this year, provides free winter coats to children. It began in the couple's home and expanded in later years to a distribution location donated by a Pikeville bank. To date, more than 3,500 coats have been distributed to children in need by Coats for Kids.

Chamber Ambassador of the Year

Brown

The 2010 award for Chamber Ambassador of the Year was presented to James Brown, who retired from Community Trust Bank in 2008 after 37 years of service. Brown, the husband of Helen Smith Brown, is on the board for Sandy Valley Habitat for Humanity, the Pike County Relay for Life and the Pike County Extension Service Council. The former chairman of the Chamber of Commerce also serves as an elder with the First Christian Church and is on various Chamber committees. James was presented his award by Chamber Ambassador Club Chairperson Eva Hinkle (Brown & Hinkle are pictured above).

Business Person of the Year

casebolt

The Chamber presented Keith Casebolt of East Kentucky Broadcasting with the Business Person of the Year Award. Casebolt, who has worked in broadcasting for more than 28 years, often serves as moderator for the Chamber's town hall forums and helps support the Chamber with numerous projects that benefit the community. Casebolt thanked EKB employees for their work and accepted the award on their behalf. "Those are the people I am proud of. Those are the people I call my family," he said.

Small Business of the Year

hefners

A family-owned business that has been open for 89 years in Pike County earned the Small Business of the Year Award. Hefner's Jewelry is one of only 14 Pike County businesses that have been a part of the Pike County Chamber since its inception in 1957. The store opened in 1921 and is still operated by family members. Agnes Hefner, her son David Hefner and his wife Billie accepted the award.

Business of the Year

wright

Wright Concrete and Construction, of Dorton, was recognized as the Business of the Year. The company has been operated by brothers Shannon and Kendall Wright for the past 12years. It was honored for improving the county's economy and giving back to communities by supporting churches and schools. Last week, The Center for Rural Development also announced that the company is once again a finalist in the annual Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards program

Community Ambassador Award from the City of Pikeville

may

Pike County Circuit Judge Steve Combs, who has served as a judge, a city commissioner and mayor and Walter E. May, President and CEO of Pikeville Medical Center, received the Community Ambassador Award from the city of Pikeville during the ceremony. Combs helped develop infrastructure and accomplishments that Pikeville has today, City Manager Donovan Blackburn said. May, the former Pikeville mayor who also owns and operates East Kentucky Broadcasting, paved the way for the city to grow, Blackburn said, and he was at the helm of city government when Pikeville earned recognition as one of the best small towns in the country.

Shining Star Award for Outstanding Achievements for Pike County

Star

May also accepted the Shining Star Award for Outstanding Achievements for Pike County on behalf of Pikeville Medical Center. In the first time that this award has ever been granted, officials recognized the national attention the hospital - and the county - received when PMC was named the "National Hospital of the Year." May accepted the award on behalf of 1,800 PMC employees.