Chamber awards ceremony honors community members
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
By Lucille Rice
Jackson Hole, Wyo--The Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards presentation and
membership social Thursday at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. Business
suits and ties mingled with cowboy boots and Wranglers during the
cocktail hour preceding dinner and the awards ceremony.
Every seat in the joint, bar stool saddles included, were filled with
Chamber members ready to chow down on their platefuls of buffet food.
The ceremony began with the State of the Chamber address by Board
President T.R. Pierce. True to his personal style, Pierce kept the
speech short and sweet, citing the successful history of the chamber
and the impressive lineage of presidents as sources of pride for him.
Chamber presidents have one-year terms and current Vice President Jim
Auge will take over the presidency in July, the beginning of the
chamber’s fiscal year.
Without further ado, the awards ceremony commenced. Jackson Town Mayor
Mark Barron presented the Citizen of the Year Award to the Kemmerer
family. Connie Kemmerer accepted the award.
“Both my brother and I were honored to be considered and to be given
the award, especially because as the owners of the Jackson Hole
Mountain Resort, we get quite a bit of suggestions and criticism. So to
be acknowledged in the community not only for the ski corporation but
for the other things we have committed to was wonderful, gratifying and
surprising,” Kemmerer later told
the Planet.
The Citizen of the Year Award is based on community activities or
actions that benefit the greatest number of people in the area, a
singular accomplishment, or continuing service to the community over
time. For Tim O’Donoghue, a first timer on the selection committee and
executive director of the Chamber, the choice was a no brainer.
The
Kemmerers, who moved to Jackson Hole 15 years ago, have contributed
over $100 million to Teton Village developments, St. John’s Medical
Center, the Dubois Medical Clinic, the Jackson Community Recycling
Center, the Center for the Arts, the Teton Wellness Festival – the list
goes on.
Superintendent Pam Shea presented the Meritorious Service Award to Joe
and Jane Giovanini. The award is presented for exceptional service to
the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce or its interests. Since their
arrival in Jackson Hole 11 years ago, the Giovaninis have contributed
over $500,000 to the valley’s youth. Stewards for higher education,
they started the Giovanini Scholarship program to assist Teton County
students financially in reaching their dreams for higher education.
“They are wonderful people, fine citizens and are two of the many
unsung heroes that make this community a special place to live,” stated
a nomination ballot. Jeff Fueschel accepted the award for the
Giovaninis, who could not attend the event.
The Distinguished Service Award went to Rick Hollingsworth, who created
a quintessential Jackson t-shirt company, growing from meager
beginnings in his basement to a successful business on the Town Square.
The Virginian, a landmark in Jackson Hole, received the Howdy Pardners
Western Hospitality Award. The Chamber selected them as recipients for
their integrity in the community and for being the Jackson Hole Snow
Devils’ headquarters, home to Soroptomist International events and many
more hospitable activities.
Just as the crowd began to turn its attention to the ensuing party, the
Chamber staff presented a surprise award to O’Donoghue, noting that he
was their definition of excellence.
Once the cheering subsided, O’Donoghue introduced Harold Turner and
Babe Humphrey for story time. The natural born storytellers took the
stage, turning the Cowboy Bar into a campsite fire pit. Turning back
the hands time, Turner and Humphrey told stories about the Chamber’s
early days and tales of fun on the ranch.
Although tourists
might have been the butt of many jokes on Thursday, Chamber members
know very well that tourism helps keep the town afloat.Chamber members,
volunteers and staff danced the night away and rejoiced in yet another
successful year.
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Chamber awards ceremony honors community members | Planet JH News Article: Business
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