The Clinton County Chamber of Commerce used its annual ‘State of the Chamber’ Luncheon this week to spotlight local businesses, nonprofits and community leaders, highlighted by naming Chris Ward the 2025 Citizen of the Year for his work in addiction recovery through Healthy Communities of Clinton County.
The luncheon also celebrated Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Chamber Member of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year and a special volunteerism award, all framed under the Chamber’s 2026 theme of “connection.”
Ward named Citizen of the Year
Chris Ward, a recovery advocate with Healthy Communities, received the Chamber’s Citizen of the Year award in recognition of his journey from addiction to leadership in local recovery efforts. Ward, who has nearly a decade in recovery after 12 years in addiction, told the crowd the honor reflects the broader recovery community.
“This really is a recovery community award,” Ward said, noting that while substances and addictions change, “our purpose and our why stays the same.” He described Healthy Communities as a place where residents can come “in their most horrible situation” not just for treatment, but for help with housing, jobs, food, insurance and other basic needs. “It’s to help create a place where shame is not louder than pride and where everyone feels like they belong,” he added, thanking community partners and donors who make the work possible.
Chamber leaders tied Ward’s recognition to a broader vision of Clinton County as a community that “celebrates recovery” and supports people through some of their darkest times. The award was presented alongside a special plaque noting that “success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.”
Business, large employer and member of the year
Moore Automotive was named Business of the Year, honoring owner Heath Moore’s decision to open and grow his shop on State Road 28 West despite early uncertainty. Moore said starting the business was “pretty scary” at first but something he had “always wanted to do,” and Chamber officials praised the operation’s strong reviews and repeat nominations.
Frito-Lay, part of the PepsiCo family and the county’s largest employer, received Large Business of the Year after more than four decades in the community and multiple plant expansions since opening in 1980. East Plant Manager Nicolle Bryant said the award “means a lot to our organization” and pointed to what she called an “amazing partnership” with the Frankfort community. “We believe that our people power our plant” Bryant said, adding that of the many communities where she has worked over 20 years with Frito-Lay, “this one I believe is the best one I’ve been in—don’t tell the others.”
Bruno’s Pizza, which first opened in 1958 and recently relocated to Wabash Street, was named Chamber Member of the Year. Owner Payton Akard reflected on taking over the business at age 22 and called the recent move a “leap of faith” made possible by community support, noting that the new site brings more visibility, sit-down space and a drive-thru.
Humane Society
The Clinton County Humane Society was honored as Nonprofit of the Year, a selection Chamber leaders described as “a slam dunk” given the organization’s growth and steady stream of animal rescues. Director Cheyenne Taylor became emotional as she described taking over in 2018, saying she came in after previous staff left and “picked up the mess and the pieces.” “I really want to invite everyone to come in and see what the place looks like now, how healthy the animals are, how wonderful it looks,” she said. She credited the board and staff for “a lot of after hours, a lot of working off the clock” to transform the facility, adding that “you walk in and you see an animal and leave with a family.”
The Chamber also presented its Leroy Good Volunteer of the Year —named for the late county historian and World War II veteran—to Frankfort police officer and Special Olympics coach Josh Danner. Danner, a 20-year officer and 2024 Officer of the Year, said he became “hooked” on Special Olympics after organizing a 3‑on‑3 benefit tournament and building relationships with local athletes. “I think those are the individuals that often get forgotten in our community,” he said of the athletes, explaining that their enthusiasm and joy at simple recognition is “something that’s very special to me.
The event also marked a leadership transition as Steve Walter of The Farmers Bank concluded his two-year term as Chamber president and handed the gavel to incoming president Chase Isgrigg. Walter reflected on the Chamber’s recent themes—imagination, strive and now connections—and said completing the Iron Block co-working and innovation hub downtown was one of the board’s key achievements during his tenure.
Isgrigg told members the “state of our chamber is strong” and said his focus over the next two years will be supporting and cultivating local businesses, workforce and talent, and building stronger connections across the community. Isgrigg is most focused on keeping the Chamber the “Hub” of the community to serve its needs. “In a town our size, we don’t have the luxury of being siloed,” he said, stressing that the Chamber will keep programming “relevant” and adjust when “we have missed the mark somewhere.” He reminded attendees that the Chamber “isn’t just a board, a president or staff,” but the people who “show up, volunteer, sponsor events and believe that investing locally does matter.”
Throughout the luncheon, Chamber staff and board members returned to the idea of connection—between businesses, nonprofits, schools, government and residents—as the driving purpose of the organization in 2026.
As one leader put it in closing remarks, the challenge for Clinton County is whether it will “stay connected for the betterment of our community” or allow divisions to take root, with the Chamber aiming to keep local partners working together “out of love and passion and purpose” for making the county better.
CLICK HERE to View entire Luncheon on Hoosierland TV. Simply scroll past some of the broadcast when no interviews or program is taking place while the gathering was having lunch.
Link to Hoosierland TV Broadcast
Facebook Link from Good Times Professional Audio: https://fb.watch/EObSykxrPF/?