Letter from the President

I would like to first say "Thanks" to the membership for your confidence in having me as your leader for the next 12 months. This cannot be done without the support of the Board members and the participation of the businesses in our great community. Your Chamber continues to focus on what we need to do to grow our membership through leadership, programs, events and much more. We continue to listen and learn from our membership on what the needs are and how the Chamber can best help you in your business.

My challenge to each of you as members over the next 12 months is too get more involved with your Chamber. Help us help you by joining a committee that works in areas of interest that you have. We are always looking for new blood on the Board itself which sometimes springs from these committee groups. Get your feet wet on a committee first to see how your Chamber runs, then step up to the plate and take a swing to make a difference. Life itself is not a spectator sport, and neither is your business and the growth of it. The fruits of your labor will pay off.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the membership , I would like to say "THANK YOU" to Mark Sullivan for his leadership and wisdom this past year. The Chamber was well served by Mark and we are all better for it.

Mark Galenski

Image Awards

Image Awards were presented at the Annual Meeting on April 25, 2006. The Community Image Award is a prestigious, custom made, crystal-styled award given to business and community leaders based on nominations from the chamber membership.

Excellence in Business and Service Award

Wright Repairs was presented the award for the Excellence in Business and/or Service. Criteria used in selecting this award involves: the individual business/partnership/ corporation or organization has shown evidence of strong growth, demonstrated visions for their business or exemplified an attitude of service toward others and has demonstrated a willingness and history of going above and beyond the call of duty in their business or acts of service.

Wright Repairs troubleshoots and repairs industrial motors and other machines. Wright started the business after the company he worked for fell on hard times. He started his business in a spare bedroom when he was 20 years old. Just 14 years later, he moved to the Gas City Industrial Park because he business had grown too large for the 4000 square foot company headquarters. Tom Wright, Owner, outgrew his second building this year, building a new 12,000 square foot facility in the industrial park.

Award Sponsor: Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Services

Community Leadership Award

The Community Leadership Award was awarded to John M. Storey. Criteria for this awarded involved: the individual/business/group of individuals consistently show leadership in enhancing the image of this community. The nominee is to have demonstrated an ability and history of promoting a positive image for the Gas City/Jonesboro area.

John M. Storey has been a pillar in this community for many years. He was raised in a church parsonage in Evansville, and is a graduate from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science. He became a licensed funeral director in Indiana and moved with his wife, Joy, to Gas City joining the Jay and Swift Funeral Home in 1960. In 1963, he acquired part ownership in the firm and the name was changed to Jay-Swift & Storey Funeral Home in 1963. In 1979, he became the sole owner. In 1987, John and Ben Needham merged Jay-Swift & Storey Funeral Home and Needham & Son Funeral Home to form Needham-Storey Funeral Service.

John cares about people and their needs and has dedicated his life to the service of others. He is an active member of the Lakeview Wesleyan Church, has served on the board of the Wesleyan Investment Foundation for 35 years, and the Board of Trustees of Indiana Wesleyan University for nearly 35 years. Additionally, he has served on the boards of World Gospel Mission, Marion General Hospital, the Kiwanis Club of Gas City, and has served on numerous other boards and committees of church, civic, professional and educational organizations. John and his wife, Joy, are the parents of J. Mark Storey II and daughter-in-law Molly Storey, and daughter Beth Driscoll and son-in-law Dr. Dan Driscoll. They are blessed with 6 grandchildren.

Award Sponsor: Salin Bank and Trust Company

President's Award

The President's Award is given each year to an individual or group of individuals that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the communities they serve. The chamber recognized this recipient as possessing the qualities representative of the leadership in the Chamber (exemplary commitment to business ethics and excellence, volunteerism, etc.). This year, the President chose to present this award to: Karen Niverson, CVB Director.

Karen is a native of Grant County, born and raised in Fairmount and returned to her hometown with her husband, Charles, and two daughters in tow. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Ball State in 1983, and has been the Director of the Grant County Convention & Visitors Bureau for two years. She serves on the board of St. Martins, Walton Center Arts Society and the 2007 United Way Fund Drive. She is the Secretary of the Association of Indiana Convention & Visitor Bureaus and a past President of the Marion Rotary Club. Karen is an ambassador for the entire county and carries our message and welcome nationally.

Award Co-Sponsors: Edward Jones and Mutual Federal Savings Bank