Chamber of Commerce honors its best
NASCAR racing legend Rusty Wallace, owner of the Chevrolet dealership in Clinton, speaks from the po- dium during last Thursday’s Anderson County Chamber of Commerce annual awards luncheon. Wallace was accepting a Business Excellence Award for the dealership. Looking on is Rusty Wallace Chevrolet Dealer Principal Mark Troutt. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
The event was a huge success, with 150 in attendance. Pastor Robbie DeJarnette, with Faith Promise Church opened the event with prayer and introduction.
The Business Excellence Awards are given each year to members who have shown an impact on the community and the chamber. These winners are nominated by the chamber members. In addition, the newly added Nonprofit of the Year and the President’s Award were presented.
Excitement filled the room as chamber President Rick Meredith served as emcee.
An Italian lunch was catered by Apple Blossom Café & Catering. Chamber Board Past-Chair Tammy Gross shared the 2021 achievements, and Chamber Board Chair Joey Smith shared a bit of chamber history, as well as his vision for the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, as it celebrates the chamber’s 90th anniversary.
Chamber Board Member Mollie Farrar presented the R.C. “Dudley” Hoskins Volunteer Awards, created in honor of her late grandfather, who served as the first president of the chamber 90 years ago. It was founded as the Clinton Businessman’s Association.
Congratulations to the 2021 Award winners:
• Business Excellence Award: Apple Blossom Café & Catering, accepted by Leigh Ann Young and Jimmy Taylor.
• Business Excellence Award: Rusty Wallace Chevrolet, accepted by Mark Troutt and Rusty Wallace.
• Business ExcellenBusiness Excellence Award: UT-Battelle/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, accepted by Dr. Thomas Zacharia.
• R.C. “Dudley” Hoskins Volunteer Award: Amanda Brackett, United Way Anderson County.
• R.C. “Dudley” Hoskins Volunteer Award: Scott Lane, ORUD Natural Gas.
• Woman Owned Business Excellence Award: Anderson County Family Chiropractic, LLC, accepted by Dr. Jacqueline Berk.
• Ambassador of the Year: Emily Rios, ORUD.
• Young Professional of the Year: Taylor Martin.
• Veteran Owned Business Excellence Award: Stephenson Realty & Auction, accepted by William “Bear” Stephenson
• Nonprofit of the Year: Little Ponderosa Zoo & Rescue, accepted by Corbin Cox.
• Legacy Award: Tim Thompson, retired president, Anderson County Economic Development Association
• President’s Award: Sam Turner, Food City manager.
Thank you to all the Chamber Ambassadors who volunteered their time to assist in this event: Amy Allen, Amanda Brackett, Ann Gann, Tiffany Hawn, Jimmy Huddleston, Amy Jones, Emily Rios and Debbie Sellers.
The Anderson County Chamber of Commerce recognizes and appreciates its valued chamber members and community partners for their investment and volunteer spirit in the community that contributes to the lifestyle we enjoy, making Anderson County a great place to work, live, and play.
Here’s to the next 90 years.