Knoxville — The 2012 Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Impact Awards were presented Saturday night, prior to a keynote address by Aplington-Parkersburg's Aaron Thomas.
The evening began with a social hour, during which many took time to enjoy beverages and socialize with a string quartet playing in the background. A buffet-style dinner was served.
Outgoing Chamber Board President Todd Chambers opened the program and shared some of the Chamber's accomplishments of the past year. While the theme of the 2011 banquet was "shopping local," Chambers believes this is something that should always be the Chamber's goal.
"I don't think we can ever quit talking about that," Chambers said. He introduced Incoming Board President Craig Mobley. Mobley thanked his board and praised the work done over the past year, which included ending the year with thousands of dollars in the Chamber's account.
Mobley said one of the goals for the coming year is to improve the Chamber's website. He told the audience, "We're going to get a website that is user-friendly."
From there, the award winners were announced. They were as follows:
Business of the Year-Fairlane Bowl, Brad and Pam Palmer, owners
Business Person of the Year-Ray Betrand, Betrand Funeral Homes and Bertrand Monument
Educator of the Year-Ryan Richardson, KHS Science
Farmer of the Year-Dan-D-Farms, Dan Dennison and family, owners
Community Service Award-Janet Ritchie, 40-year 4-H volunteer, Marion County Historical Society, Rural History Buffs and more
Humanitarian Award-Jim and Angie Uitermarkt and the KHS girls' basketball team, for their Coaches vs. Cancer efforts
Matthew C. Job "Pride in Knoxville" Award-Pennie Sommar and Connie Husted, SOS
After the awards were presented, Thomas delivered his message. He opened with a video, played at ESPN's ESPY Awards, at which the Thomas family earned the Arthur Ashe Courage Award years ago. Thomas said the video was to demonstrate the passion his father, Ed Thomas, had for his town.
Aaron Thomas discussed how his late father, murdered by one of his former players, instilled important life lessons in his family and his players. The lessons his father taught him are still applied today in Aaron Thomas' actions.
"If you have a poort attitude, how in the world do you think those people under you are going to behave?" Thomas asked the room full of local business leaders.
For a full report on the banquet, and more on Thomas' speech, pick up a copy of the Feb. 3 Journal-Express.
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