The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce presented its 2018 Business and Community Awards last week at the annual Member Appreciation and Awards Banquet held at St. Joseph’s Parish Center, in Zephyrhills.
The event, dubbed “ZEPHYROPOLY,” attracted more than 200 business and community leaders, according to a chamber news release.
This year’s theme focused on what makes Zephyrhills great, and the event featured state Rep. Danny Burgess, as its master of ceremonies. It’s the third time in a row that Burgess filled that role, and he donned a top hat and bow tie for the occasion.
Audience members played a game of “chance,” which involved visiting “properties,” such as Bulldog Way, Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, Main Street Zephyrhills and so on, where they took selfies.
Other highlights included having a chance to shake hands with a veteran, or thank Police Chief Derek Brewer or Fire Chief Brian Swartout for their services to the community, the release said.
Laughter could be heard throughout the hall as Kevin Bahr of Bahr’s Propane Gas & A/C, Bob Hatfield, aide to Congressmen Bilirakis, and Representative Danny Burgess were sent to jail and had to be “bailed out.” Our very own auctioneer, Steve Linder, got the crowd excited as he solicited bids, the release continued.
Awards were presented, too.
Here’s the list of winners:
- Innovative Business of the Year: Zephyrhills Brewing Company, for innovative product or service, entrepreneurial spirit and corporate citizenship
- Small Business of the Year: Creative Soul’s Café, for exemplary reputation, product or service, growth, leadership and corporate citizenship of a business with less than 25 employees
- Large Business of the Year: Bahr’s Propane Gas & A/C, for exemplary reputation, product or service, growth, leadership and corporate citizenship of a business with 25 or more employees
- Zephyrhills Economic Development Champion: Todd Vande Berg, city planning director, for exemplary contribution furthering economic development of the community
- Leadership in Youth Involvement: Zephyrhills Elks Lodge #2731 BPOE, for exemplary contribution to youth in the community
- The Diamond Award: Sunrise of Pasco County, for exemplary contribution by a nonprofit organization to the betterment of the community
- Community Service Award: Beth Aker, for exemplary volunteer service to the community
- Citizen of the Year: Rod Rehrig, for exemplary contribution to the betterment of the community over the past year
- Leadership in Government Affairs: Jonathan Till, for exemplary contribution and public service at the city, county, state or federal government level
- Chamber Member of the Year: Jarrett Ford of Dade City, for exemplary contribution and service to the chamber over the past year
- Chamber Ambassador of the Year: Russ and Lee Heffelfinger, for exemplary service, leadership and representation by a chamber ambassador in the community
The chamber’s new board also was installed. They are: Dr. Randy Stovall (PHSC, Provost Emeritus), president; David West (Make a Difference), vice president; Vicky Jones (Palm Tree Acres MHC), president-elect; John Scott (Gulf Coast Financial Strategies), treasurer; and Jasmine Wilkins (San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union), secretary.
The board’s 2018-2019 directors are: Carolyn Hodges (Faithful Friends Pet Creation); Sam Abrahani (Zephyrhills Moose Lodge 2276); Alex Hulbert (Dewberry); Randy Light (Light Insurance); Kathy Britton (Berkshire Hathaway Home Services); Amanda Maggard (Florida Hospital Zephyrhills); Sam Turgeon (Sunlight Realty); Amy Chappell (CenterState Bank); Kevin Sullivan (Nicoletti Law Firm); and Dean Smith (Health Markets).
Published August 29, 2018
