Former Catoosa County sheriff Phil Summers was named Citizen of the Year at the annual chamber event. (Catoosa News photo/Natasha Colbaugh)
Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce president Roger Forgey welcomes some of the county’s elite individuals and business owners to the Starry Night Gala amid the sparkling lights and tranquil atmosphere. (Catoosa News photo/Natasha Colbaugh)
A musical performance by The Beaters brought many of the guests out to the large dance floor, where they danced beneath the stars. (Catoosa News photo/Natasha Colbaugh)
State Rep. Tom Weldon of Ringgold and his wife Wendy were among the guests attending the event. (Catoosa News photo/Natasha Colbaugh)
The event brought many prominent individuals and business leaders together for the beautiful event hosted by the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce.
“This is a real celebration of the business community,” chamber president Martha Eaker said. “We have survived the hard times and this is a chance for the members to come out and enjoy themselves.”
Chamber chairman Roger Forgey, CEO of Hutcheson Medical Center, welcomed the group and introduced event speaker Jason Taylor, president of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Taylor announced the 2012 nominees and winners in each category. Each of the businesses is a member of the chamber, said Eaker.
The Best Small Business award went to JB Millworks of Ringgold; Best Medium Business went to Rosewood Assisted Living of Fort Oglethorpe; and Best Large Business was Chattanooga Allergy Clinic of Fort Oglethorpe. The Best Non-profit for 2012 was Primary Health Care Center in Walker County. The nominees in each category were also recognized as having excelled in performance.
“I appreciate all the nominees,” said Eaker. “They are all wonderful and are dedicated to this community. This award has become very prestigious, to know out of all the businesses your size you are selected as the best. We are recognizing the wonderful things they do for our community.”
In addition to acknowledging businesses, the chamber also gives the Citizen of the Year and Chairman’s awards. Prior chamber chairman Steve Anglea with Georgia Power chose and presented the Chairman Award to Paul Webb. The Chairman Award is presented annually to an individual going above and beyond in their dedication to the community.
Former Catoosa County sheriff Phil Summers was presented with the 2012 Citizen of the Year award. Summers was described as very involved, setting a good example and having a open-door policy both personally and professionally. The 2011 recipient, Mary Carpenter, presented the award to Summers.
Chamber representatives and individuals in the community submit all the nominees, except for the Chairman’s Award. Interviews are conducted with each of the nominees. The chamber board of directors votes on the nominees and votes are tallied to get the winner.
“This is a big deal for our community and businesses to win these awards,” Forgey said after all the winners were named.
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