Written by Amanda Coers – The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual Awards Banquet beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 19th, at the Brownwood Coliseum. Last night’s event was the 112th Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet.
The prestigious Groner Pitts “Lifetime of Service” Award, sponsored by Brown County Abstract Co., was awarded to Dallas Huston, pictured at top with last year’s recipient Robert Porter.
“This award is Brownwood’s highest honor in recognition of longtime community service,” Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes said. “As a boy, I grew up listening to Dallas Huston on the radio… he brought us State Championships and ushered us through lean years.”
Dallas Huston has served as “The Voice” of the Brownwood Lions and Howard Payne University since 1963. Huston has been recognized several times for his ability as a sportscaster with his distinctly unique voice and cadence. He was named the Best High School Sportscaster in Texas in 1999 by Texas Monthly Magazine, the Sportscaster of the Year four times by the Lone Star Conference and once by the American Southwest Conference. Huston has been honored twice by the Texas High School Coaches Association.
Currently Huston hosts a Christian-oriented sports show on KOXE and leads weekly men’s Bible studies. He gives back to his community by serving on the board for Good Samaritan Ministries and the board for the Pregnancy Care Center.
Awards presented during the evening included Ambassador of the Year, Stuart Coleman Good Neighbor Award, Small Business of the Year, Medium Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Community Partner, Woman of the Year, Man of the Year, and the Groner Pitts “Lifetime of Service” Award.
Attendees enjoyed a meal catered by Humphrey Pete’s Restaurant. Rex Tackett served as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
Sponsors for the event included: 3M Company, Citizens National Bank, Aldersgate Enrichment Center, Andy’s Pest Troopers, Bostick’s Auto and Truck Sales, Brown County Broadcasting, KBWD/KOXE, Brownwood ISD, Brownwood Municipal Development District, Brownwood Regional Medical Center, Bruner Auto Group, Center for Life Resources, City of Brownwood, Coldwell Banker-Mark Campbell and Associates, Davis Morris Funeral Home, Haynes Law Firm P.C., Hendricks Health System, Howard Payne University, Julia Taylor CPA, Kohler Company, Landmark Life Insurance Company, Lyric Performing Arts Company, Mills County State Bank, Oncor, Performance Pipe Inc., PF&E Oil Company DBP Food Plaza, Porter Insurance Agency, Ranger College, Superior Essex, Texas Rock Crusher Railway, TexasBank, TSTC Foundation, Bob Turner, United Supermarkets, Waldron Construction Inc., Wendlee Broadcasting KXYL-AM/FM KQBZ-FM KSTA-AM, and Wilson Cleaners.
Outgoing Chamber Board President Donna Hair was recognized as the awards presentation began.
“I look around and I see so many friendships from the past and I see lots of new faces too,” Hair said. “Looking back on the year and reflecting, the chamber staff do such a wonderful job. We are in a room with many like minded business men and women.”
Hair recognized the retiring chamber board members: Hank Hunter, Daniel Hutson, Codie Smith, Mitch Moore, and Dan Garza.
Incoming Board President Lynn Day was introduced. Day is the General Manager of United Supermarket in Brownwood.
“We’re pleased to have him as incoming President and look forward to a great year,” Hair said. Day thanked Hair for her leadership over the past year and presented her with a plaque.
Day introduced the graduates of the Leadership of Brownwood course recently held.
This year’s class saw 19 graduates: Heidi Andrade, Becky Dittmar, Donna Evans, Jill Evans, Stephanie Gade, Dee Dee Gade, Earnest Ludlow, Jr., David Lundy, Hector Martinez, Chris McAfee, Jonathan McCullough, Marshal McIntosh, Terry Nichols, Josh Snow, Roland Soto, Jennifer Spraberry, James Strickland, Laci Sutton, and Henry Wied.
Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes served as the awards announcer for the evening. With the first award presented to the Ambassador of the Year, sponsored by Prosperity Bank.
Lindy Mason was named Ambassador of the Year for the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce.
“She always steps up to help at chamber functions,” Mayor Haynes said. “Lindy always steps up to lend a hand.”
Three Stuart Coleman Good Neighbor Awards were presented next. The award recognizes unsung heroes within the community who volunteer their time and talents to make Brownwood a better place to live. The award is named in memory of Stuart Coleman for his lifetime service.
The first Stuart Coleman Good Neighbor Award, sponsored by Insurance Specialist/VOYA Financial, was presented to Tom Allen.
The second Stuart Coleman Good Neighbor Award, sponsored by State Farm Insurance-Mike Hall Agency, was presented to Sheila and Lane Dryden.
The third Stuart Coleman Good Neighbor Award, sponsored by Andy’s Pest Troopers, was presented to (posthumously) to Walter C. “Dub” Wilson. Wilson’s wife, Deb, was present to accept the award on his behalf.
The Small Business of the Year, presented by Demand Staff, was awarded to Jacob’s Family Pharmacy. Owners Tim and Kerri Jacobs were present to accept their award.
The Medium Business of the Year, presented by TSTC, was awarded to Painter and Johnson Financial.
The Large Business of the Year, presented by TexasBank, was awarded to Brownwood Regional Medical Center.
This year’s Community Partner, sponsored by Texas Rock Crusher Railway, was presented to The Center for Life Resources. CFLR provides mental health and support services to seven area counties.
The Volunteer fo the Year, sponsored by Aldersgate Enrichment Center, was awarded to Vikki Firth.
The Professional of the Year, presented by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Company, was awarded to Dr. Steve Oines.
Kim Bruton, owner of the Runaway Train Cafe, was pronounced Woman of the Year, with the award sponsored by Auto Glass Magic. Last year’s recipient Marianne Tackett presented the award to Burton. Bruton is very active in the community and is currently a member of the Tourism Advisory Committee for the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce, a volunteer for the Food for Thought program with Good Samaritan Ministries, a weekly supporter of St. John’s Food Pantry, and serves on the Unified Appeals Board for the City of Brownwood.
Keith Clark was pronounced Man of the Year, with the award sponsored by Texas-Clean. Last year’s recipient Tim Espinoza presented the award to Clark. Clark, Executive Vice President/Cashier at Citizens National Bank, currently serves or has served on various boards an committees including the Brownwood Municipal Development District Board, Brownwood Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Brown County Hospital Authority Board, and the Brownwood Lyric Theatre Board. He also teaches a personal finance course for the Christian Women’s Job Corps and is a 40-year Kiwanian.
