It was a night of celebration as the Crawfordsville/Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce recognized the accomplishments of several community members during the organization’s annual awards banquet Thursday at Stone Creek Lodge.
The first of eight awards went to a teacher from each of the county’s three school districts. The Emerald Educator Award was presented to Emily Race, an English teacher at Crawfordsville High School, Sarah Chapman of Pleasant Hill Elementary School and Tammy McGaughey of Ladoga Elementary.
Earning Small Business of the Year honors was Quest for Balance Wellness, owned by Jai Miranda. She has taken the yoga studio and made it into a community resource for healthful living, self care, healing, grief recovery, and grief education.
Walmart Optical was named the Large Business of the Year for the support its associates give to the community. Lab employees regularly volunteer their time and are active in many Chamber events.
Kelvin and Courtney Smith-Dalton, owners of Smitty D’s Gourmet Hot Dog Cart, were named Entrepreneur of the Year. The couple was lauded for their efforts to add another great food choice for area residents. They also were recognized for their participation in various local fundraisers and Chamber events.
Board members with the Veterans Memorial Park were awarded the Community Organization of the Year Award. The park near the American Legion Post on South Washington Street was described as an amazing tribute. Volunteers for the group have worked hard reaching out to the community to bring the beautiful and much needed memorial to those who have served.
Elizabeth Zuk of Pam’s Promise was awarded the Champion of Change Award. Zuk is involved in many non-profit organizations in the county and is a smiling, familiar face to many. Her dedication as a volunteer does not go unnoticed.
Cody Proctor, owner of the Oak Hat Co., was named the Rising Star Young Professional. He earned the award for establishing connections, helping small businesses grow, and being an active Chamber member.
Jessica Harris of Shop Small Shop Homemade was named the Woman of the Year. Harris was described as a big supporter of small businesses. The kind, generous and innovative woman owns a shop on North Green Street that includes 40 local small businesses.
She also organized booth space at the weekly Farmer’s Market for her vendors. Harris recently planned a fundraiser for childhood cancer research. It was something near and dear to her heart as a mother who has a child with cancer. Harris also organized the “Get Mooned in MoCo” event, facilitating and partnering with the community to draw attention to the downtown during the eclipse.
She was described as some who cares about making the downtown a fun and lively place for residents to shop and enjoy, and for merchants to succeed.
MILESTONE
The event also marked a milestone for the Chamber. Executive director Stacy Sommer announced the membership has grown from 288 to 400 members in just a few short years.
She credited the teamwork of the Chamber staff, board of directors, ambassadors and active Chamber members for the recent success.
“The Chamber appreciates all of you for your dedication to helping us advance the vibrant business community,” Sommer said.
Sommer recognized members of the board of directors, including president Skylar Stephenson of Stephenson’s Ace Hardware, Stephenson’s Realty Group and Superior Moving; vice president Austin Earl from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance; secretary Kim Keeling of Lakeside Book Co.; treasurer Tara Miller of Tri-County Bank & Trust; Trevor Beers of Nucor; Kyle Brown of Fountain Trust Co.; Eric Dunaway of Wabash College; Jordan Burkett of Hoosier Heartland State Bank; Tyler Nichols of Taylor, Minnette, Schneider & Clutter; Natalie Pribble of Walmart Optical; Chuy Murillo of Acuity Brands and Blue Cactus Taco & Tequila Bar; and Gina Haile of the United Way. Sommer gave special recognition to Jill Knowling of Walmart Optical who retired from the board after five years of service.
She also recognized Chamber ambassadors: Erin Azar of DES Engineering; Wayne Black, Lakeside Book Co.; Jessica Bokhart of Market Street Wealth Management Advisors; Kate Duncan of AK Asset Advisors; Caryn Heisel of Hoosier Heartland State Bank; Brian Swick of Everwise Credit Union; Macy Lewis of Sanders Funeral Care; Giovonni Zappala of Freckles Graphics Inc.; Larry Meadows of Acuity Brands; and Jami Harrington of Reclaimed by Grace.
“What a great accomplishment for the Chamber, the city of Crawfordsville and Montgomery County,” Stephenson said of the organization’s growth. “As the premier business membership organization of Crawfordsville and Montgomery County, we promote and foster the business community through our networking opportunities, business-oriented events, a local health clinic, workshops and many other resources.”
He thanked Sommer and assistant director KyLee Risner for their efforts and expressed optimism for the Chamber’s bright future.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Keynote speaker and Greek’s Pizzeria owner Jacob Szumski also shared his appreciation for the Chamber and its staff who have helped open doors and continue chasing his dreams.
Szumski, who turned 20 last month, opened his local restaurant two years ago with “massive dreams and little knowledge.”
“God could not have put me in a better place,” he said referring to the support he received from the community.
He shared how in his first nine to 10 months of opening the restaurant he was working long hours, yet was unable to turn a profit.
“I could make pizzas, but not a profit,” he said.
So, Szumski hit the books, reading “Profit First” and “Faith Driven Entrepreneur.” He also focused on his relationship with God and began networking and seeking out mentors. He recently purchased his third pizzeria.
“We’re not going to win every day ... but I stack up the wins as I can get them and at the end of every single week I’m a little closer to becoming the man I want to be.”
Szumski urged all those in attendance to embrace self-development.
“It’s about competing with ourselves, working to get better every day,” he said.
