HUTH & BOOTH PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOS
Ambassador of the Year Glenna Tanner, of glennaonthego.com, left, shares the spotlight with Lynne Conlan, executive director of the SCC Area Chamber of Commerce
Sun City Area Chamber recognizes its own
By LOIS KINDLE
About 130 members of the Sun City Center Area Chamber of Commerce gathered at Club Renaissance Jan. 18 for the biggest networking event of the year. The evening was filled with laughter, awards and the formal swearing-in of board members by the Hon. Bob A. Bauman.
Outgoing Chairwoman Connie Huber gave parting remarks and passed the gavel of leadership to incoming Chairwoman Jeanne Burkeson, who welcomed new board members, Glenna Tanner, of glennaonthego.com, Chris Brown, of Century 21 Beggins Enterprises and Brad Herremans of Suncoast Community Health Centers. Outgoing board members Fran Fabbro, Steve Scuiga, Bryce Bowden and Marcille Buzbee were thanked for their service.
Then it was on to the awards.
Ambassador of the Year — Glenna Tanner (second year running)
Business of the Year — Send Out Cards (Jerry Meeks)
Community Leader of the Year — Jim Haney
Chairman’s Award — Hal Jeffrey
New Member of the Year — Cristina Cieslik, NextStage Moving Services
Nonprofit of the Year — Beth-El Farmworker Ministry
Volunteer of the Year — Evelyn Prather
“I was very surprised,” said Prather, who couldn’t attend the event, but was nevertheless honored. “I don’t know what I did to deserve it, but I certainly appreciate the recognition.”
Lynne Conlan, the chamber’s executive director, also recognized volunteers Dee Williams, Barbara Brown, Allen Berkov and Ruth Brigant for their assistance during the event.
“It was a wonderful evening, and I look forward to working with Jean and the rest of the 2019 board,” Conlan said.
Bill Eades accepts the Nonprofit of the Year Award on behalf of Beth-El Farmworker Ministry from Debbie Caneen, of Sun Towers.
Cristina Cieslik, of NextStage Moving Services, accepts the New Member of the Year Award from Hal Jeffrey.
Hal Jeffrey, of Imagineering, receives the special Chairman’s Award from outgoing Chairwoman Connie Huber.
Incoming chamber Chairwoman Jeanne Burkeson, of Square 1 Inspection Service, left, accepts the leadership gavel from outgoing Chairwoman Connie Huber, of Physician Partners of America.
Jerry Meeks, of Send Out Cards, accepts the Business of the Year Award from last year’s recipient, Cheryl DeLeon, of D&L Insurance.
Community Leader of the Year Ret. Marine Corps Maj. Jim Haney, MOWW commander, with last year’s winner, HCSO Deputy Jeff Merry.
