And the winner is ... chamber of commerce honors leadership

Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Guests at the Nevada/Vernon County Area Chamber of Commerce's 30th Annual Pacesetter Awards Saturday night line up for the Taste of Nevada buffet, a dinner featuring a wide variety of dishes provided for the event by local restaurants.

Hundreds crowded into the Eagles Lodge in Nevada Saturday night, for the Nevada/Vernon County Area Chamber of Commerce's 30th Annual Pacesetter Awards. Although the annual awards are a long-standing tradition, Saturday's event was the first time the chamber hosted a casino night as the backdrop for the awards.

Drew Kimmell, 2002 Agribusiness Pacesetter of the year, representing the Missouri Northern Pecan Growers, announced the finalists for Agribusiness Pacesetter of the Year: Deems Farm Equipment, Jack Mead, owner; D & F farm operations, Steve Dean and Larry Forkner, owners; and Producer's Grain Company, Don Mills, general manager.

In presenting the award, Kimmell said, "For their efforts in establishing a new retail service in Vernon County … for continuing to offer quality services throughout our region and coordinating buying efforts at the youth fair to include a wider range of participants, this years Agribusiness Pacesetter is Producer's Grain Company.

Ken Hacker, of Hackers Jewelers, the 2002 Small Business Pacesetter of the Year, then presented this year's award. Finalists were: Candle Creek RV and Gifts, Mike and Deana Conway, owner; Gordon's Pizza, Blake Coleman, owner; and Interior Motives, Bobbi Ogle, owner.

For undergoing major improvements to an existing business, creative use of space, design and marketing, and above and beyond attention to customer service, the Small Business Pacesetter for 2003 was presented to Candle Creek RV and Gifts. Hacker noted that owners Mick and DeeDee Conway have created a retail and recreational draw for Nevada, at the north edge of town.

Representatives from Woods Supermarket, last year's Large Business Pacesetter Award winner, Linda Rogers and Melissa Thompson, announced finalists in the large business category: Cottey College, Nevada Regional Medical Center, Wal-Mart Super Center of Nevada. The award went to Wal-Mart SuperCenter, represented by manager Gary DeCocq, who accepted the award.

The Individual Pacesetter for 2003 was Helen Washburn, president of Cottey College, who has worked withing the community for 17 years.

Mike Ast, 2002 Pacesetter of the Year, said, "Nevada has been graced by the presence of our Pacesetter for nearly two decades at the helm of one of our most well known sites. Under her tutelage, she has literally brought the world to Nevada, celebrating our diversity and has brought a sense of belonging to our community back into the lives of the women of Cottey."

Washburn thanked the crowd, noting that the family now has two Pacesetter awards, her husband having received the award 10 years ago.

Following the Pacesetter awards, community pride awards were presented as well.

Tedd Maxfield, director of the Osage Prairie YMCA, 2002 Community Improvement Pride recipient, presented the evening's first Pride Award to The Community Council on the Performing Arts.

The Pride of 2003 Business Leadership Award went to Blake and Michelle Coleman of Gordon's Pizza Theater.

Scott and Charlotte Buerge of Metz Banking Company presented the award, and said of the Colemans, "There is no question this business deserves the Business Leadership Award -- for looking for new ways to improve and renovate their business, creating a whole new world of music and festivals in the east end and for conducting their business with exemplary values and ethics through perseverance and a little help from his friends -- we're proud of your accomplishments! Congratulations."

The Wayne Neal Impact Award, meant to recognize, "above and beyond efforts to bring impact to those around us, to make a difference."

The award may be presented to a key individual, organization, or business -- there are no limits.

"Mr. Wayne Neal, in whose honor the tribute is made epitomized dedication, integrity and commitment to purpose while serving his community,"said Carol Parmenter, who presented the award. This year's award went to Nevada Regional Medical Center in honor of the hospital's "$18 millen project places our medical community at the cutting edge, truly leading the way in outpatient and innovative programs serving the entire region -- it keeps Nevada and Vernon County competitive and extends to those in need the true message of 'Caring with Pride'," Parmenter said.

Judy Feuquay, the hospital's new CEO, Norm Tuomi, board representative and Linda Schmitz, Nevada Regional Medical Center Foundation director, accepted the award.

The final award of the evening, the President's Award, "is presented to a person committed to working for the benefit of the Chamber of Commerce," said Tim Moore, chamber president.

Moore prefaced the presentation with a short speech, stating that although the chosen recipient wouldn't feel the honor should be hers -- Chamber Director Kathi Wysong -- is more than worthy of it.

The award was presented to a surprised and momentarily speechless Wysong, who protested Moore's naming her the recipient, saying the credit for the work she's been able to do really goes to "20,000 people in Vernon County who have worked together to make good things happen," and a staff, a board, and a large pool of volunteers who are always willing to pull together as well.

In addition to the awards ceremony, the event featured a silent auction of goods donated by area individuals and merchants, which raised more than $8,600.

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