Sullivan Chamber Awards Presented Saturday Night
The Sullivan Chamber of Commerce held their 2020 Annual Awards Banquet at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall on Saturday with more than 300 people in attendance.
The event began with Sullivan Chamber of Commerce 2020-21 President Johnathan Tripp welcoming everyone, followed shortly after by Chamber Director Shawna Speaks.
Speaks welcomed Eagles President Brady Vassalli to the stage to lead those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the performance of the National Anthem by Chamber Board member and Sullivan Alderwoman Kecia Philpot.
The Ridge Church Pastor Matt Dudley followed and led the group in prayer.
Cuba Lakes Golf Course and Catering served guests their meal.
KTUI Radio's Sam Scott addressed those in attendance and, recognizing the special guests in attendance, the chamber board of directors, and then welcomed Sullivan City Administrator J.T. Hardy to the stage who spoke briefly about the City of Sullivan and 2020.
Meramec Community Fair Board President James Bartle then addressed those in attendance, speaking on the event that canceled the 2020 fair. Bartle said there is excitement with the 34th annual Meramec Community Fair this June 22-26.
Following this presentation, Speaks and Bartle, on behalf of the Sullivan Independent News/Missouri Possum Radio and chamber board member, presented the Chamber Directors Award to Tripp.
Sullivan Independent News sponsored the award.
Sullivan Police Lt. Patrick Johnson, the incoming Chief of Police and Administrator Hardy, then provided a speech on the career of Chief George "Randy" Counts.
They presented Counts with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
A live auction was held following these presentations with Robby Berti, Berti Auction Service, auctioning off several gift items and dessert items.
The awards ceremony then went in full swing with all of the awards being presented:
Rachel Shoemaker, Coldwell Banker Reeces, 2019 Beautification Award recipient and Mike Hoffman, Sullivan Bank, sponsor of the award, announced the nominees: Community Art Bus and Eaton Funeral Home with the award being presented to Community Art Bus;
2020 Educator of the Year award was presented by Sullivan High School Principal Jason Merkel and sponsor of the award, John Craig, First Community National Bank with the nominees: Felicia Bowers, Heidi Blankenship, Joshua Stroup and Laura Craig. The award was presented to Heidi Blankenship;
2020 First Responder Hero Award was presented by 2019 Chamber Man of the Year Brady Vassalli and award sponsor Franklin County Second District Commissioner Dave Hinson with Linda Crumpo and Quinton Hildebrandt being nominated. The award was presented to Linda Crump;
The 2020 Public Service award nominees were: House of Hope, Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital and Salvation Army Local Extension 10126 with Kecia Philpot, 2019 Public Service Award Representative From Sullivan Regional Library, Brady Vassalli, Eagles also 2019 Public Service Award Recipients and Carol Hofstetter, Town and Country Bank award sponsor. The award was presented to Salvation Army;
Hanna Andrews, 2021 Chamber Board Member and 2021 Chamber Treasurer Danica Landwehr presented the Outstanding 2020 Young Woman of the Year Award, sponsored by First State Community Bank with the nominees being: Alyssa Sharp, Aubree Jones-Williams, Hanna Johanning, Maggie Jones, Parker Williamson, Samantha Record and Taylor McMahan. The award was [resented to Hanna Johanning;
The 2020 Young Man of the Year Award was presented by Matt Dudley, 2021 Chamber Board member and Chamber President Tripp with the nominees being: Brock Busch, Derek Johnson, Devyn Harmon, Dillon Farrell, Dillon Witt, Donovan Counts, Jordan Woodcock and Noah Stegeman. The award was presented to Brock Busch.
Rachel Shoemaker presented the 2020 Woman of the Year Award, 2020 Woman of the Year and 2018 Woman of the Year, Natalie Counts with the nominees being: Alana Ryan, Kecia Philpot and Susan Delaney. The award was presented to Kecia Philpot;
Brian Beckett and Matt Dudley were nominated for the 2020 Man of the Year with Brady Vassalli, 2019 Man of the Year and Jari Dawson, Sinks Pharmacy award sponsor, presenting the nominations. Brian Beckett received the 2020 Man of the Year.
The 2020 Business of the Year Award, sponsored by KTUI represented by Sam Scott and Natalie Counts, 2019 Business of the Year Award winner, announced the nominees that included: Coldwell Bank Reeves Realty, Michelle Beckett State Farm, Puroclean Emergency Restoration Services, Saray's Dog Grooming and Valvoline Express Care. The award was presented to Coldwell Bank Reeves Realty;
The 2020 New Business of the Year award was presented by Hayden Lock and Danica Landwehr, 2019 New Business of the Year recipients for HD Realty, with the nominees being Lasterpiece Nutrition, Rich's Famous Burgers, Smooth Es and More and The Secret Kitchen. The award was presented to The Secret Kitchen.
President Tripp then returned to the stage and thanked all those in attendance for coming to the event and once again saluted all the nominees.