The Daviess County Chamber of Commerce annual banquet went virtual this year. The Annual Banquet recognizes local business & community leaders with several awards highlighting leadership, impact on the community, promoting tourism, commitment to economic development, making a difference in the community, rising stars, and the “Business of the Year”. Several awards were given out throughout the event. To view the full video, visit the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau’s social media platforms and its affiliates.
Full list of recipient/awards:
“The Hagel Award” – Joe Wellman (past Mayor of Washington) – Presenter: Dr. Daniel Roach, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors & Superintendent of Washington Community Schools
The Hagel Award was established by the Hagel Family to be presented annually at the Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet to the person who’s gone above and beyond, to promote the business community; while providing leadership in their profession. This year’s “Hagel Award” recipient has done just that and more. Having served our business community in a myriad of ways and has shown his community leadership as the past Mayor of Washington, this year’s recipient represents this award in every category.
Daviess County “Impact” Award – Daviess County Health Department – Presenter: Cara Veale, President Elect, Daviess County Chamber of Commerce & CEO of the Indiana Rural Health Association
The Daviess County “Impact” Award is a new award recognizing an individual or organization that has had the most positive impact on the wellbeing & quality of life of the citizens in the Daviess County community. This year’s “Impact Award” recipient showed tremendous leadership this year during the COVID19 pandemic. They spent countless hours serving and managing the health & wellbeing of our citizens in Daviess County.
“Dillon Tourism Award” – Jameson Hibbs (West Boggs) – Presenter: Marylyn McCullough, Daviess County Tourism Commission & Insurance Professional at Thompson Insurance
The “Dillon Tourism” Award is an award recognizing an individual or organization that has had the most positive impact on promoting our Daviess County’s amenities through tourism throughout the year. This year’s “Dillon Tourism Award” recipient showed tremendous leadership; while promoting the amenities of Daviess County this year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their efforts have been noticed in the improvements & developments at West Boggs.
“Firestarter Award” – Zella Taylor (Daviess County United Way) – Presenter: Shanon O’Toole, President of the Chamber of Commerce & Sales Director at The Original Company, Inc.
The “Firestarter” Award is an award recognizing an individual Under 40 years old that has done something extraordinary in the Daviess County community. This year’s “Firestarter Award” recipient has shown extraordinary leadership; while serving the Daviess County community through grant assistance & financial support to those in need during this year’s COVID-19 pandemic. Their efforts have been noticed & recognized throughout the community.
“Outgoing President” Recognition – Shanon O’Toole -Presenter: Joseph Morris, Executive Director of the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
The “Outgoing President” Recognition Award recognizes the Chamber of Commerce “President” for their leadership, commitment to the success of our Chamber of Commerce and their time serving our business community as the President of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors throughout the year. This year’s “Outgoing President” recipient is just that…..an “outgoing person” with an energy & passion to see others succeed in life and our businesses thrive in our community.
Daviess County Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year” – Indiana Safety & Supply Co. – Joseph Morris, Executive Director of the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
The Daviess County “Business of the Year” Award is an award recognizing a business that has had the most positive impact on the business community, economic development, well being & quality of life of the citizens in the Daviess County community. This year’s “Business of the Year” recipient showed tremendous economic growth & leadership this year during the COVID-19 pandemic. They’ve spent countless hours & resources serving, managing & providing essential PPE products of health & well being for our employers, employees and the citizens of Daviess County, throughout the state, country and globally. All while expanding their operations & footprint throughout the country.
The Daviess County Economic Development Corp & Foundation “The Arthur R. Boddy Legacy Award” – Dave Cox – Presenter: Bryant Niehoff, Executive Director of the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation
Arthur R. Boddy, or Art as many of you would know him, was a true philanthropist and benefactor to many Daviess County improvements over the years. You could always count on Art to be a wonderful ambassador for anyone visiting Daviess County or those that were new to the community. A regular quote from Art was “always leave it better than you found it.” This quote wasn’t just something that Art said; he lived by it. The 2020 Arthur R. Boddy Legacy Award recipient is an individual that has been a steadfast champion for economic development and growth in Daviess County for many years. This individual was instrumental in landing many major economic development projects over the years, many of which have become longstanding corporate partners and created countless jobs in our community. It is with great pleasure – and although I didn’t know him, I am sure Art would be very pleased – that this year’s recipient was not only a business associate but also a very dear friend.
The Daviess County Community Foundation “The Make-A-Difference Where It Matters Award” – The Bertha D. Garten Ketcham Memorial Center – Presenter: Mary Smith, Regional Development Director of the Daviess County Community Foundation
The Bertha D. Garten Ketcham Memorial Center, a not-for-profit, community-owned facility has been serving the North Daviess community since 1971. The Center is unique, in that it is a 501c3 organization that formed following the generous gift of Bertha D. Garten Ketcham, an Odon resident (1875 -1961). It was her dream that residents could have long-term nursing care, close to home, without leaving their beloved community. For nearly half a century, the work of the facility, which most of us simply call “Ketcham,” has been one of quiet, compassionate care of many of our county’s oldest, and perhaps wisest, residents. The facility has grown and changed over the past years with such things as the addition of a rehab and wellness center and room and facility updates. Along the way, Ketcham has received many awards, including national recognition in 2013, 2014 and 2015 by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Top 5 nursing facilities in the state of Indiana, a 5-star community rating by Medicare.gov, and an Excellence in Service award by LeadingAge Indiana. But what happened at the facility this year is, in itself, attention-getting and perhaps the greatest demonstration of their strength and value to our county. With the start of the pandemic in March, Ketcham’s 2020 story began. By mid-April, a correspondent at the local newspaper called the facility, which by then had reported 17 deaths, the “eye of the perfect storm.” Ketcham faced the storm, secure in their foundation built on a love for others and our community.
This was evident in the Daviess County community leader calls as Ketcham Board president Darin Holder gave open and detailed updates about Ketcham’s work and through Administrator Kathy Wittmer’s frequent and open communications via newspaper and social media about the virus’ impact on the residents that they cared for. As those initial weeks with COVID-19 turned into months, the loss and tragedy experienced in March and April, brought a sense of calm as the facility adjusted and changed to what we are all beginning to know as a new normal. For Ketcham, that meant moving past the sorrow of March and April and continuing their important work. And they did. Their hard work and commitment to providing the community with additional care, amplifying the original dream of Bertha D. Garten Ketcham, came to fruition in early September with the opening of The Gardens of Ketcham and the new Doris Malone Rose House—a new small house residential model home for 10 residents. Ketcham’s reaction and response to the COVID-19 pandemic and their unwavering commitment to the completion of a new care concept, called a “small house” truly make them deserving of this year’s “Make a Difference Where It Matters” Award.