The Clinton County Chamber of Commerce held its Olympic edition of the State of the Chamber Annual Luncheon Thursday at Arborwood. Chamber Executive Director Shan Sheridan talks about the day.
“We always appreciate this day,” said Sheridan. “This day is awesome in the fact that we bring so many people together. It’s a feel good day and we celebrate the successes.”
Sheridan stressed the importance of the ‘Future is Now.’
“I don’t believe we have time to wait for other things to happen,” said Sheridan. “We have to make these things happen. By doing that, we have to make decisions that are tough. We have to do what’s best for the whole.”
New Chamber President Don Stock officially took over the reigns of the Chamber as he replaced Curt Stevenson.
“I just hope I can fulfill the shoes that Curt left me with,” said Stock. “He’s kept the bar pretty high. We’ll work hard to keep the chamber at the same level as he left it.”
Stock added that Mayor Chris McBarnes’ downtown projects (Project Home Run, Prairie Creek Park and Nickel Plate Flats apartment complex) are vital to the community moving forward.
Stock is a former mayor of Frankfort and past president of Frankfort Main Street. He said he would be concentrating on strategic leadership and communication.
Part of the luncheon was the mayor’s Leadership Award which was presented to a shocked Joe Palmer.
“I was totally surprised,” said Palmer. “I had no idea it was coming.”
Palmer said all the good things that have happened are a result of a team effort.
Longtime Kaspar Media CEO Vern Kaspar was posthumously honored with the Legend in Business Award, which was accepted by Russ and Susan Kaspar.
“I’m sure that he would be honored,” said Russ Kaspar. “It was a wonderful gesture.”
Other awards were awarded to the following: Russ Kelley (HR of the Year Medalist); Kathy Smith (Volunteer of the Year); Tina Kimmel (Outstanding Employee Medalist); Clinton County Family YMCA (Max Impact Organization Medalist); Megan Dunn (Distinction in Teaching Award for Clinton Central), Mike Priest (Distinction in Teaching Award for Rossville), Becky Boddicker (Distinction in Teaching Award for Clinton Prairie) and Heather Uitts (Distinction in Teaching Award for Community Schools of Frankfort); Cindy Mattingly (New Chamber Member Medalist); Lahrman Farms (Agricultural Business Medalist); Tammy Moss (Clinton County Chamber of Commerce Board Member of the Year); Holden Pharmacy (Small Business of the Year); The Farmers Bank (Large Business of the Year); and Steve Royer (Frankfort Times Citizen of the Year).
The Chamber just completed its 103rd year of service. Some other accomplishments included growing the Iron Block Community Workspace, partnered with Ivy Tech and United Way for the Industry Leaders Lunch Program, sponsored and held four Legislative Breakfasts, hosted the 21st Career Technical Awards Program at Skanta Theater and welcomed 17 new members in 2017.