As part of its annual dinner and awards program March 12, the Logan County Chamber of Commerce honored several groups. Descriptions follow.
Ambassadors
Jeff Manley said, “Our Ambassadors are often referred to as the “goodwill arm” of the Chamber. They promote awareness of membership, its benefits and services, encourage members, convey member needs, attend and help at events and committees, but most of all, they build relationships between our members and our organization. We have an outstanding group of Ambassadors that serve us well.”
Ambassadors as shown, from left, in the accompanying photo:
• Seth Boortz of Edward Jones
• • Stacey Cundiff of the Electric Plant Board
• • Keith Batchelor of Edward Jones
• • Dee Dee Brown of Logan County Tourism
• • Carl Seidler, Individual Member
• • Kim Reeves of the Electric Plant Board
• • Megan Treadway of the Logan County Cooperative Extension
• • Krystal Gunderson of First Southern National Bank
• • Mandy Henley of Lewisburg Banking Company
• • Jeff Manley of US Bank
• • Myla Porter of WRUS
• • Sharon Shanklin of Shelter Insurance
Ambassadors not shown are:
• • Brent Summers of Summers, Kirby & Sanders Funeral Home
• • Cheryl Baltzell of BB&T
• • Haley Roberts of Amanda Simon State Farm
• • Jean Oberhausen, Retiree Member
• • Kristi Crocker of First Southern National Bank
• • Muryd Scipio of The Point Church
• • Paige Dockins of Auburn Banking Company
• • Tracy Houchens of the Logan County Public Library
Board of Directors
2019 President Ethan Holloway said, “The mission of our organization is to promote and develop strong businesses, foster a more vibrant economy, through leadership, education, governmental affairs, and community development resulting in a better quality of life for all Logan Countians. These 17 individuals volunteer their valuable time and resources to make adifference in our community
• Bart Flener of Russellville Independent Schools
• • Carl Seidler, Individual Member
• • Dee Dee Brown of Logan County Tourism
• • 2019 Chamber President, Ethan Holloway of H&H Sheetmetal
• • Treasurer, Gary Grohovsky, Logan Aluminum Retiree
• • Jeff Manley of U.S. Bank
• • Past President Joe W. Hendricks, Jr. of Brooks & Hendricks, PLLC.
• • Kathy Edmonds of Kathy’s Hair Salon
• • Kim Reeves of the Electric Plant Board
• • Past President King Simpson of the Logan County Public Library
• • Kyle Hines of Logan Aluminum
• • Vice President Leann Martin of the Logan County Coop. Extension Service
• • Past President Mandy Henley, Lewisburg Banking Company
• • Marie Gamble, Community Involvement
• • Myla Porter of WRUS
• • Paul Mullins of Logan County Schools
• • Tom Harned of LEAD
Board Roll Off
Chamber board members have to sit out at least one term after reaching their on consecutive terms. Exiting this year are Shane Hayes of Gerald Printing, Kristin Herndon of Logan Telphone Cooperative and Dr. Thad Wells of Logan Eyecare.
Chamber Presidents Pass Gavel
All past presidents of the Logan Chamber were invited to the stage for the annual Passing of the Gavel. They ranged from Logan County Judge-Executive Logan Chick, who was a grocer when he served as president in the early 80s, to current president Ethan Holloway.
Shown in the photo, from left, are Judge Logan Chick, Mark Reynolds, Hughes, Chris McGinnis, Brian White, Holli Black, Shane Hayes, Joe Hendricks, King Simpson, Mandy Henley, and Ethan Holloway.
LCHS FBLA Chamber Video
The Logan County High School Future Business Leaders of America produced a promotional video this year about the work done by and the importance of the Chamber to the community. Among those interviewed in the video—which was played for banquet attendees—are Chris McGinnis, Evelyn Richardson, Myla Porter, Brent Summers, Polly Cowan Steenbergen, Brandon White, Kathy Edmonds, Cheryl Baltzell, Dee Dee Brown and Karen Logan.
Honored for their work on the video were:
• Abbi Brown Lillard – FBLA Advisor, LCCN Producer, PLCS PLC Leader,
TEDS Coordinator, and Business Multimedia Teacher.
• Peyton Vanzant
• Makayla Strode
• Elijah Hopkins
Karen Logan said, “Thank you for your hard work in putting this video together. You did a great job and we are so proud of you! Your future in business starts right here...in serving your community. Bless you all!”
The following is the link to the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV8NxUni500&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0roABRKkPw7sCk39u38OBXJBe3_P6KW7aD2g_NXvEXh8FsRFP2K5Ir2LY
Annual Dinner Planning Committee
Kathy Edmonds said, “Our Annual Dinner Committee comes together to plan, in detail, this very event. From your meal, to décor, and theme, the ideas turn into a fantastic and fun-filled night for our members to enjoy. We appreciate all of those that have served on this committee to plan our 2019 Annual Dinner. They are:
• Myla Porter of WRUS
• Jeff Manley of US Bank
• Dee Dee Brown of Logan County Tourism
• Kim Reeves of the Electric Plant Board
• Bobby Blackford of Robert L. Blackford Real Estate & Auction
• Sandra Kinser of Auburn Banking Co.
• Keith Batchelor of Edward Jones
• Sharon Shanklin of Shelter Insurance
Logan County Business Expo
King Simpson said, “In 2018 we held our first Logan County Business Expo. The idea was to create a platform for our local businesses to showcase what they have to offer, to both our community, and other local businesses. Every business needs a plumber, pest control, an HVAC... and at some point, those businesses need someone to do their taxes, to print marketing material, or for professional banking. We brought together 300 folks at the Logan County Career & Technical Center in one day, on our very first year. We had nearly 30 vendors set up to display their goods & services, we offered speed networking, courses throughout the day, a fashion show to showcase what Logan County has to offer in buying local and looking professional. It was a high energy day and was well received by our community. I would like to acknowledge those that served on this committee to successfully plan and execute this fantastic, now annual, event. They are
• Ben Kemplin of Logan County Schools
• Dee Dee Brown of Logan County Tourism
• Mandy Henley of Lewisburg Banking Company
• Bobby Blackford of Robert L. Blackford Realty & Auction
• Amanda Simon of Amanda Simon State Farm
• Myla Porter of WRUS
• Carl Seidler, Individual Member
Women in Business
Dee Dee Brown said, “Our Women in Business Committee plans our Annual Women in Business Luncheon where over 200 women enjoy a time of refreshment with an inspiring speaker, lunch, vendors and a wonderful networking opportunity. The proceeds from this event go to fund a $1,000 scholarship to a senior young lady, currently attending school within Logan County, that will be seeking a business degree in college in hopes that when she graduates, she will bring back her skills and utilize them right here at home. The 2018 Women in Business Committee included the following:
• Amanda Simon of Amanda Simon State Farm
• • Cheryl Baltzell of BB&T
• • Dee Dee Brown of Logan County Tourism
• • Kim Reeves of the Electric Plant Board
• • Kristi Crocker of First Southern National Bank
• • Mandy Henley of Lewisburg Banking Company
• • Megan Treadway of the Logan County Extension Office
• • Myla Porter of WRUS
Tobacco & Heritage Festival Committee
Myla Porter said, “The Logan County Tobacco & Heritage Festival is Logan County’s largest attended event of the year. With over 25,000 folks in downtown Russellville in one day, enjoying our Craft & Flea Market, Festival Parade, Kid’s Zone, Entertainment on the Square, Jesse James Reenactment and Karaoke. Not to mention the 2.5 weeks full of events leading up to this day. These events require many volunteers from our community in order to make them the success that they are.”
These are chairs and co-chairs who served on the Tobacco & Heritage Festival Planning Committee:
• • Joe W. Hendricks, Jr. and Kara Kehan – Bike Ride
• • Todd Latham – Community Singing
• • Todd Raymer and – Russellville Police Dept. Representative
• • Ben Kemplin and Keith Batchelor – Historic Homes Tour
• • Richard Estes and Shelia Scruggs – Pet Show & Fair
• • Brian White and Auburn Bank – Golf Scramble
• • Jenn Seibold and Russellville Parks & Rec – JJ5K & Senior Stroll
• • Leann Martin and the Logan County Ext Office – Tobacco Judging
• • Evelyn Richardson & Rebekah Brummett– Hometown History Day
• • Tammy Dauley – Community Health Fair
• • Paige Dockins – Jesse James Bank Robbery Reenactment
• • Barry Kennedy and Evelyn Richardson – Historic Walking Tours
• • Emily Driskill & Walnut Grove Baptist Church – Kid’s Bounce Zone
• • Clay Bilyeu – Car Show & Festival Day Karaoke
• • Don & Lisa Davis – Logan County Wine & Food Festival
• Brent Summers – Womanless Beauty Pageant & Parade Emcee (Bobby Blackford
filled in last fall)
• • Paige Alexander and Megan Treadway – Craft & Flea Market
• • Polly Steenbergen and Amy Cowan – Queen’s Pageant
• • Jennifer Smotherman – Parade Judging
• • Dee Dee Brown and Logan County Tourism – Road Rally
• • Richard Estes and Joe W. Hendricks Jr. – Festival Parade
• • Myla Porter – Parade Stage Team Lead
• • Morgan Vick & Ben Kemplin – Cemetery Tours
• • Haley Roberts and Mary Orange – Little Mr. & Miss Pageant
Festival Chairperson Award
Morgan Vick of Crabtree Furniture. Morgan served as our 2018 Festival Committee Chair. She went above and beyond to lead our Committee to ensure all was well during Festival. We appreciate her time and dedication to serve in this capacity.