Everything Nac

Contact: Kelly Daniel
Membership & Marketing Manager
936-560-5533

Citizen of the Year, Business Excellence Awards announced

Recipients to be honored at Chamber Annual Meeting and Banquet Sept. 29

The Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors met July 23, 2015 to review nominations and vote for the Chamber’s annual awards.

The 2015 Citizen of the Year and the Gary Justice Business Excellence Awards recipients are:

Grace Handler, Citizen of the Year – award sponsored by Tipton Ford, Inc.

Shelley’s Bakery Cafe, Small Business of the Year – award sponsored by Heritage Land Bank.

Mast Motorsports, Medium Business of the Year – award sponsored by Regions Bank.

Clear Springs Restaurant and Auntie Pasta’s, Large Business of the Year – award sponsored by R&K Distributors, Inc.

Award recipients will be recognized at the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce 94th Annual Meeting and Membership Banquet on Tuesday, Sept. 29, in the SFA Grand Ballroom. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a social hour. Dinner is served at 7 p.m.

“Living in community where I have had the opportunity to work with businesses who believe in ‘working together where business can succeed’ not only has been rewarding but an honor,” said current Chamber Chair Jessica Henderson, The Hospice of East Texas. “I have seen businesses support one another in times of need, in times of celebration, and gather together to welcome new businesses as they join our community.”

The 2015-16 Chamber board of directors will be inducted at the event and Henderson will “pass the gavel” to incoming Chair Rusty Rust, Commercial Bank of Texas. “I don’t view my year as ending but just beginning, because our work is never over, it is forever changing. It will be exciting to have the opportunity to work with Rusty and his board members as we enter the Chamber’s new year on Oct. 1, because it is truly all about serving those doing business in Nacogdoches County!” Henderson said.

Members of the annual meeting and banquet planning committee working with event Chair Betty Shinn are Charlotte Ashcraft, Rayanne DuChane, Donna Finley, Susan Gaskin, Keith Hand, Grace Handler, Jessica Henderson, Sheri Howard, Kati Kennedy, Ruth Ann Peterson, Bradley Reynolds, Damon Ruckel, Rusty Rust, Scarlett Sloane and Polly Etta Sunda.

Bronze sponsorships are available for $750 and include corporate recognition and seating for eight or nine. Individual admission tickets are available for $40. Contact the Chamber at 936-560-5533 for reservations. Seating is limited, and the reservation deadline is Sept. 16.