(ROCKWALL, TX– Jan. 27, 2016) Rockwall area businesses and honored guests were recognized Tuesday evening during the Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce “Can I Get a Yee Haw!” 2016 Annual Awards & Partner Appreciation Banquet, presented by Cavender’s Boot City.
A record 450 attendees enjoyed steak dinners, desserts sponsored by Rod Holland Real Estate with Blue Bell Ice Cream provided by Kroger Company, and dancing and socializing courtesy of Southern Junction Nightclub and Steakhouse.
Matthew Middleton & Texas Drive played a variety of country hits throughout the evening.
Guests also enjoyed having their picture taken in Sweet Memory Photography’s photo booth, sponsored by Guaranty Bank and Trust. Audio and Visual was sponsored by Farmers Electric Cooperative. Blue Ribbon News took the award photos back stage.
A surprise performance by the Mesquite Marshals Darling Deputies kicked off the awards program with an exciting dance to Keith Walker’s “Honky Tonk Shake.”
Master of Ceremonies Kevin Fowler kept guests entertained while community leaders and business professionals presented the Chamber awards, sponsored by Texas A&M University– Commerce. Chuck Leblo of Social Kudo recorded the awards ceremony and activities throughout the evening.
Nominees and winners of the evening for each category include the following (winners and awards are highlighted in bold):
Best Practices in Community Involvement Award, showcasing a company that demonstrates a commitment to community involvement and philanthropy as part of their core business values:
Alliance Bank, ATMOS Energy, Heath Salon & Spa, Honda Cars of Rockwall, Toyota of Rockwall, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital—Rockwall
Best Practices in Customer Service Award, for the business that continually strives to exceed customer expectations, delivering industry-leading levels of service and are creative and innovative around customer experience:
Chick-Fil-A, Lone Star Transfer, Pizza Cucina, Zanata, Trey Finley – John Maxwell Team/ Basepaths Coaching
Emerging Business of the Year Award, recognizing a new and emerging company with a capacity for creativity and innovation, which has experienced growth and established itself as a leader in its industry as well as demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit and overall contribution to the community:
Embellished On The Square, Brian Llewellyn—State Farm, Simply Kate, School of Rock, Jerry Welch—The Welch Team
Small Business Partner of the Year Award, recognizing a business with less than 10 employees for their accomplishments and operations successes, integrating excellence and commitment to quality as a core value and point of reference into its business structure, participation in community and Chamber-oriented projects, a proven track record, growth and sustainability, and a commitment to quality:
CertaPro Painters, Dodie’s at The Harbor, English Insurance, Mishler Builders, Willis Fine Jewelry
Medium Size Business Partner of the Year Award, recognizing a business for integrating excellence and commitment to quality as a core value and point of reference into its business structure, as well as participation in community and Chamber-oriented projects, a proven track record, growth and sustainability, and a commitment to quality:
Farmers Electric Cooperative, Guild Mortgage, Midsouth Bank, My Computer Guy, Regal Realtors
Corporate Business Partner of the Year Award, honoring an organization that has made a significant impact on our area and within the Chamber through leadership, marketing and strategic alliances, charitable (sponsorship) contributions to the Chamber and overall community development for the greater Rockwall area, all while demonstrating outstanding business success:
American National Bank, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Ebby Halliday Realtors, Honda Cars of Rockwall, Lake Pointe Medical Center, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital—Rockwall
Non-Profit Partner of the Year, recognizing a registered not-for-profit organization which is a member of the Chamber and has been operation for at least three years, and has made an outstanding contribution to the social, cultural or economic well-being of the Rockwall area:
Boys and Girls Club, Rockwall County Helping Hands, Meals on Wheels, Women in Need, J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall
Ambassador of the Year Award, given to the Chamber Ambassador who earned the most credits through volunteerism and participation in the given year gathering feedback for the Chamber, answering members’ questions, guiding new members, retaining existing members, handling ceremonial duties such as Ribbon Cuttings, and acting as a Chamber advocate in the community:
Katy Miller, Lake Pointe Medical Center
Board of Director of the Year Award, for the individual who has demonstrated leadership within his/her business and/or industry and applied it to the Chamber, as well as enhancing the Chamber’s brand, programs and services with their innovative leadership:
Mike Mishler, David Mallard, Lou Johnson, Stewart Storms, Cindy Tayem, Jon Bailey, Kim Timpa, Rob Grand Lienard, Jay Bedford, Mark Moeller, Shane Lewis, Mike Conway, Brett Lee, Tim Nichols, Richard Redig, Rod Holland, Robin Chouteau, Adolfo Benavides, Lance Holmes, Brenda Kennedy, Liz Beauchamp, Robin Chouteau – Honda Cars of Rockwall
Young Professional of the Year, recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of a highly-motivated, emerging leader of the Chamber’s Young Professionals of Rockwall group:
Katy Miller, Lake Pointe Medical Center
Chamber Partner of the Year Award, the top achievement award recognizing a business based on their involvement in and support of critical community issues, enhancing the economy of the Rockwall area through the successful and profitable operation of their organization and exhibiting outstanding community support:
Rockwall ISD, Blue Ribbon News, Honda Cars of Rockwall, Alliance Bank, City of Rockwall
The Spirit of Rockwall Award, honoring a person whose character, conduct, service, leadership and achievements – personally and professionally – contribute to the current and future development for the Rockwall community:
Scott Self, Kevin Fowler, Dawn Redig, David Sweet—Rockwall County Judge, Larry Parks, Ariana Hargrove
Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring an individual who has made a significant impact on the Rockwall area for unprecedented devotion and generosity of time, talent and commitment to the business community ofRockwallCounty:
Rick Filip, Tom Ryan, Scott Self—Sail With Scott, Sandra Doyle
Rockwall Chamber Milestone partners were also recognized during the awards ceremony for their 10, 20, and 30 years of partnership with the Chamber.
Ten Years of Partnership:
Baylor SurgiCare at Heath
Belfioré Salon & Day Spa
Black Tie Entertainment
Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall
Choice Heating & Air, Inc.
Doigg’s Carpet Care Inc. & Restoration
Fish Window Cleaning
Hunt Regional Open Imaging of Rockwall
Keller Williams Realty Rockwall
LaQuinta Inn & Suites
Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP
MidSouth Bank
Rockwall Count Master Gardeners Association
Rockwall Women’s League
SERVPRO of Rockwall/ Rowlett
Twenty Years of Partnership:
Heritage Land Bank, ACA
Hudson Financial Group
American Homes
Republic Title of Texas
First Presbyterian Church
Thirty Years of Partnership:
KHYI 95.3 FM / KXEZ 92.1 FM
McDonald’s Restaurants
Lakeside National Bank and Rockwall County Abstract and Title were awarded “Decades of Distinction” for Lakeside National Bank’s 41 years and Rockwall County Abstract and Title’s 46 years of partnership.
After each award, the award recipients went back stage to the “Green Room” for photos with Rockwall Chamber President Dana Macalik and Outgoing Chairman of the Board Mike Mishler, sponsored by Guaranty Bank and Trust.
The winners of the awards were determined by an Interactive Voting System sponsored by Justin Holland – Regal Realtors and a committee established from a representation of Board of Directors, Ambassadors, and Chamber Staff.
The 2016 Chamber Board looked on as outgoing Chairman of the Board, Mike Mishler of Mishler Builders, Inc. passed the gavel to the current Chair, David Mallard of Law Offices of David S. Mallard.
“The annual awards and appreciation banquet provides an opportunity to recognize the achievements and attributes of our Chamber partners,” said Macalik. “Rockwall has an accelerating momentum of economic growth and give. We celebrate the Chamber’s past success and look forward to things to come in 2016.”
The Chamber recognized all of the Corporate Table Sponsors as well as giving special recognition to the event’s title sponsor Cavender’s Boot City located in Rockwall.
The Table Sponsor’s included:
Honda Cars of Rockwall, American National Bank and Trust, Lake Pointe Medical Center, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall, Alliance Bank, Lonestar Transfer, Rockwall County Abstract and Title Company, Special Products & Mfg., Inc., Lakeside National Bank, Homebank Texas, Rockwall ISD, Regal Realtors, Baker Brothers Plumbing and Air Conditioning, Mesquite ProRodeo, Rockwall Gold and Silver Pawn, Atmos Energy, City of Rockwall, City of Heath, My Computer Guy, Ebby Halliday Realtors, Rockwall Economic Development Corporation, Willis Fine Jewelry, MidSouth Bank, Belfiore Salon & Day Spa, Christian Care Senior Living Communities, Rockwall County Helping Hands, Guild Mortgage Company, Dallas Glass & Door Co., Ltd., Dick’s Sporting Goods, Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP, Young Professionals of Rockwall.
Half Table sponsors included:
Northstar Bank of Texas, Toyota of Rockwall, Williamson Foundation Repair, Doigg’s Carpet Care Inc. and Restoration, Communications Unlimited, Conway Company CPA, Republic Services, Inc.
Click to enlarge images and scroll through the Blue Ribbon News photo gallery.
Information provided by Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce, edited for publication by Blue Ribbon News staff writer Austin Wells and Dawn Redig. Photos by Richard Redig and Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News.
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