Chamber Honors Business Leaders at Annual Dinner
MUNCIE,IN – The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting and awards dinner on October 25 with over 300 business and community leaders in attendance. The event, held at Horizon Convention Center, is the Chamber’s annual awards event.
The Chamber presented the Spirit of Small Business Award to General Truck Sales, Inc. General Truck Sales is locally owned and operated and has been doing business in Muncie and Delaware County since 1958. Steve Bassett is the current owner. Has been recognized within his industry and has also held various leadership positions in local community organizations such as Muncie Rotary Club, Junior Achievement and Muncie Jaycees.
Dr. Ray V. Montagno was recognized with the Chamber’s Outstanding Contributions to Education award. Montagno is a professor of management and chair of the Department of Marketing and Management at Ball State University. Montagno has a long and distinguished career in education. He has served as a group facilitator for numerous educational organizations for many years. He recently helped the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce through some strategic planning and also worked with the Economic Development Alliance in the formulation of the Vision 2016 Plan. Montagno also services on the Chamber’s Business Education Partnership committee
Delaware County Emergency Management Agency Director Jason Rogers was selected as the winner of the Chamber’s Excellence in Public Service Award. Rogers has done an outstanding job fostering and facilitating an atmosphere of government and business partnerships for the mutual benefit of our community. He has implemented a community-wide preparedness plan by providing templates for businesses, churches, schools and special event committees. Leading the local emergency planning committee, Rogers has brought partners together to explore the response and recovery that involve hazardous materials used in local production.
The Chamber’s Community Impact award was presented to Ball State University. Jay Julian, President and CEO of the Chamber said,”Ball State University continues to make many positive impacts on our community in a multitude of ways. They are currently building a state-of-the-art geothermal production facility and the numerous immersive learning projects being undertaken by faculty and students help public and private entities throughout the community, state and beyond.” Dr. Joan Gora accepted the award on behalf of Ball State University.
The Ball Brother’s Foundation, in cooperation with the Chamber’s Annual Dinner, announced the second recipient of the John W. & Janice Fisher Governance Award. This award is presented annually to recognize the outstanding service of a board member of a Delaware County nonprofit organization. Eligibility is limited to board members of groups that provide direct services to the citizens of Delaware County. The 2012 recipient is Jeff Parsons.
Parsons is a long-standing Board Member and Chairman of The Youth Opportunity Center Board of Directors and has made enormous contributions toward the effective governance and overall success of the YOC. During his tenure, the YOC has realized significant growth and has emphasized quality and accountability systems and have navigated through funding and regulation challenges since the recession of 2008.
Parsons has played key and critical roles in numerous YOC governance endeavors that have solidified and vastly improved YOC’s Board of Director’s practices.
Parsons was presented a handcrafted glass award crafted at the Glick School of Glass at Ball State University. The Ball Brothers Foundation also made a financial contribution to the Youth Opportunity Center in Parsons honor.
Incoming Board Chair Jeff Lang, Ball State University Foundation, recognized out going Board Chairman Jud Fisher, Ball Brothers Foundation, for his service. Other outgoing chamber board members were also recognized. They included Catherine Stewart, Estep Doctor and Company; Jeff Howe, Old National Bank; and, Jim Riggle, Indiana Michigan Power.
The Muncie Delaware County Chamber of Commerce has been serving the community since 1894.