Chamber honors Community Award winners
Pictured seated L-R: Small Business of the Year – Candy Cane’s Learning Center (Owner Candace Horne); Ambassador of the Year – Deborah Farmer; Woman of the Year -Sharon Harnage; and 2023 STAR Teacher – Hope Weaver. Back row L-R: Agribusiness Person of the Year – Luke Rountree; 2023 STAR Student – Jay Patel; Man of the Year -Kirk Hand; Company of the Year – Walmart (Manager Marcus Johnston); and Young Professional of the Year – Gavin Merwin.
The Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce held a dinner on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at Circlestone Country Club in celebration of the 2022 Community Award honorees and STAR Student and Teacher.
Those honored included Small Business of the Year – Candy Cane’s Learning Center (Owner Candace Horne); Woman of the Year -Sharon Harnage; 2023 STAR Teacher – Hope Weaver; Agribusiness Person of the Year – Luke Rountree; 2023 STAR Student – Jay Patel; Man of the Year -Kirk Hand; Company of the Year – Walmart (Manager Marcus Johnston); and Young Professional of the Year -Gavin Merwin.
In a surprise announcement, Deborah Farmer, advertising director for the Adel News Tribune and B&H Publishing Company, received the Chamber’s Ambassador of the Year Award. We are proud of you!
The dinner’s attendees had a fabulous night celebrating these outstanding individuals and businesses that make Cook County a great place to live, work, and raise families.
Chad Sumner was honored for his leadership during his time as 2022 Chairman of the Board of Directors. During his time as a Director, Sumner has also served as Community Development Committee Chair, where he was instrumental in creating the Cook County County Cook-Off Classic. Sumner will continue to serve as Past Chairman and Treasurer in 2023. The Chamber Board and Staff thanked Sumner for his support, time, and love for Cook County.
During the dinner, Cook County Chief Magistrate Judge Stephen Chammoun swore in the 2023 Board of Directors, including 2023 Board Chairwoman Lea Hazel.
Other members of the 2023 Board of Directors are:
Executive Committee – Sumner; Stephen Chammoun, Community Development Committee Chair; Shamika Durden and Nyisha Key, Education Committee Co-Chairs; Shonna O’Quinn, Membership – Ambassador Committee Chair; and Chris Posey, Small Business Development Committee Chair.
Directors – Candace Horne, Dr. Joi Williams, Bud Fuller, Hope Walk, Katrina Laurel-Searcy, Kim Cone, Matt Bennett, Pat Bush, and Thomas Williams.
Heather Green serves as Chamber President.
The Chamber thanked the Jr. Board members for decorating and making sure that all of the dinner guests were warmly welcomed upon arrival.
The Chamber recognized the Elite Partners 2022: Platinum Sponsors – Advantage GMC of Adel and BASF. Diamond Sponsors – ANS Signs Inc. and Pike Creek Turf. Gold Sponsors – Candy Cane’s Learning Center, LLC, Cone Electric Inc., Country Financial (Agent Shonna O’Quinn), Melton Candle Company, and State Farm (Brent Dixon).
