Chamber holds annual awards lunch

Kayne Pyatt, Herald Reporter
Posted 5/16/19

City, chamber hand out awards at annual luncheon

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Chamber holds annual awards lunch

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EVANSTON — “Welcome and congratulations to all of you. You make our city a great place to call home,” chamber director Tammy Halliday said as she greeted those attending the annual Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon on May 9, held at the Legal Tender Restaurant. 

Halliday presented the Business of the Month award to Stacey Fry of Shipping Plus, which is celebrating 20 years serving the people of Evanston.  

The first award, presented by Evanston Mayor Kent Williams, was Citizen of the Year. This award is presented by the City of Evanston in recognition of outstanding contributions to the community in the past year that have enhanced the welfare of the overall population.

Nominees for the award were Amber Minton, Aimee Ottley, Barbara Bauer, Brent Hatch, Dr. Bird Gilmartin, Holly Slade, Lee Parker, Mieke Madrid and Rick Lunsford. The award went to Lee Parker, who donates clothing to homeless shelters and volunteers in multiple organizations in Evanston. 

Williams also presented the award for Volunteer of the Year, which is given to an outstanding volunteer who has made a significant difference by going above and beyond in volunteering on projects and/or organizations that improve the community. Nominees were Kristina Ruiz, Robert Davis, Kayne Pyatt, Shirley Campbell, Jeff Honey, Eric Pasenelli, Glenna Richins, Jessica Kendrick, Tammy Koncitik and Linda Ottley.  

The award was given to Shirley Campbell, who, at 89 years young, volunteers five to six days a week at the Evanston senior center. She also buys extra copies of the Uinta County Herald to give seniors who can’t buy their own.

B.J. Stokes, chamber board member, presented the Business of the Year award, which recognizes and honors a business that demonstrates exemplary business practices, provides services and is active in the community and in volunteer efforts, and provides stable employment opportunities. Nominees were Aspen Cinemas, The Jones Agency, Uinta Senior Citizens, Inc. and Union Wireless. 

The award was presented to The Jones Agency. Todd and Amy Jones are active in the community and participate in a variety of local events. They are members of the Main Street Promotions Committee, the Chamber of Commerce and the Evanston Small Business Network.

Outstanding Business Person of the Year is awarded to a business person who demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession and provides valuable services. The nominees for this award were Howard Woody with Union Wireless, Jody Burton of Jody’s Diner, Brent Hatch with Intermountain Vending, Joe Bridges with Water of Life, David Benton of First Bank, Barbara Bauer with Uinta Senior Citizens and Brandon Day with Edward Jones.

Alex Faini, chamber board member, accepted the Outstanding Business Person of the Year Award on behalf of Jody Burton of Jody’s Diner. Burton continues to deliver great food at a good price in a friendly environment. Burton also provides help to the needy. Whether it is a fundraiser to help someone with medical bills or providing a free Thanksgiving dinner for hundreds, Burton seems to do it all.

Chamber Board member Nicole Espy presented the Service Organization of the Year Award, which is given to an Evanston nonprofit organization that goes above the normal duties of the organization and has made exceptional achievements in supporting and building the community. Nominees for this award were Evanston Rotary Club, Evanston Small Business Network, Uinta Senior Citizens Inc. and the Evanston Area Community Foundation.

Penny Williams from First Bank accepted the award for the Evanston Area Community Foundation. Since 1996 the Foundation has provided over $185,000 in grants to local community organizations, with the most recent grant of $8,000 presented to YAHA. 

The Outstanding Customer Service Award, presented by board member Sue Decker, honors an employee who exemplifies high standards, gives priority attention to every customer, contributes to the overall success of the team and places service above self. Nominees were Karen Cook of Cazin’s Ace Hardware, Dr. Spencer Weston of Arrowhead Family Medicine and Johnathan Schafer of the Legal Tender.  

The award went to Dr. Spencer Weston, who provides care and compassion to his patients and staff members and shows leadership in the medical community.

The Lifetime Business Achievement Award recognizes a business that has repeatedly gone beyond the standard in that industry and has contributed significantly to the local business community for a significant number of years. Nominees were Howard Woody of Union Wireless, Dr. Thomas Simon of Evanston Regional Hospital, the Davis family of Home Décor, Uinta Senior Citizens, Inc., Cazin’s and Shelly and Deann Horne of Creative Images.

Dr. Simon received the award for practicing medicine and serving as a dedicated and caring presence in the Evanston medical community for 33 years before retiring last December.