Chamber announces Pacesetter Awards

Representatives of local businesses nominated for the Wayne Neal Business Award stand for a photo during the Nevada/Vernon County Area Chamber of Commerce's Pacesetter Awards luncheon held in the Service Edge Cafe on the north campus of the Nevada Regional Technical Center on Friday, March 11, 2011. The Barone Alzheimer Care Center was honored with this year's business award. Left to right: David Harms; Barone Administrator, Gene Payne and Curtis Harger of Max Motors, Jason Claspill; Nevada Lions Club President, Kayla Yohe and Kristi Richetts of Thorco, George Hold; Floors and More and Gene Dearing of Thorco.

Representatives of the organizations nominated for the Nevada/Vernon County Area Chamber of Commerce Community Betterment Award gather for a photo at the awards luncheon held at the Service Edge Café on Friday. Front Row; left to right: Denise Nelson of The Nevada R-5 School District, Jennifer Gundy of On My Own Inc. and Susan Liter of the United Way of Vernon County. Back row, left to right: Adam Dean of the United Way, Jason Claspill of the Nevada Lions Club, Mike Harbit of KNEM/KNMO Radio, chamber president Dave Millam and Peggy Tedlock of the United Way. Due to a tie in the voting, Denise Nelson of the Nevada R-5 School District and Jason Claspill of the Lions Club both accepted awards in the category.

submitted photos Nominees for the Nevada/Vernon County Area Chamber of Commerce Individual Pacesetter's Award join the winner, State Representative Barney Fisher, for a photograph during the awards luncheon held in the Service Edge Café on Friday, March 11. Nominees, left to right: Dennis Painter, Bob Beaver, Dave Millam, Fisher, and Charles Nash, representing Ginny Nash.

Once again, the Nevada/Vernon County Area Chamber of Commerce has recognized area businesses and individuals for outstanding contributions to the community. During the annual Pacesetter Awards luncheon, held Friday, March 11, at the Service Edge Café inside the Bowman Building, awards were presented in three categories.

Members of the chamber and its board of directors selected finalists and then awarded a winner in each of category. Dr. Ron Schowengerdt, a member of the events committee, helped put this year's program together and discussed the meaning of the awards before turning the presentations over to three new board members, who also were members of the committee.

Board member Sabrina Johnson presented Wayne Neal Business Award to Barone Alzheimer's Care Center of Nevada because it has been in the forefront of care since 1991. The care center is a free-standing skilled nursing facility specializing in the care of Alzheimer's Disease and other dementia- related disorders. The facility is a primary resource for the community and conducts monthly caregiver's support meetings, which are open to the public. Nomination information says Barone's compassionate, patient caregivers focus on resident centered care in a secure, home-like environment. Other nominees were Floors & More, Max Motors, Thorco and Northern Missouri Pecan Growers.

Denise Nelson of the Nevada R-5 School District and the Nevada Lions Club tied fror the Community Betterment Awards, which were presented by board member Aimee Meyer. Nelson was chosen, in part, for her efforts to initiate several programs at the school. CPR for Schools, the Girl emPOWERment Club and a diabetic student support group are just a few of the things Nelson has done at the school. She also introduced the Miles for Smiles Dental Van, was instrumental in the realization of the new Smiles Clinic and is active on the Vernon County Youth Task Force.

The Nevada Lions Club has been in town since 1924, and during that time the club has done a tremendous amount of good for the community. This group has taken on or contributed to many community projects, and a short list of them would include an eye laser treatment room at NRMC, lights and a shelter house at Walton Park, the concession stand at the fairgrounds and funds toward the YMCA. They are also active in rodeo and youth fair concession stands, Pancake Days, Bunco for Blindness and other community events that promote the principles of good government and good citizenship, nomination forms said. Other nominees in the Community Betterment category were KNEM/KNMO Radio, On My Own Inc. and the United Way of Vernon County.

The Individual Pacesetter of the Year award was presented to Barney Fisher by new board member Vince Caswell. Fisher is a Nevada native and a four-term State Representative for the 125th District of Missouri.

Fisher was recognized for his public service, which along with the political experience, includes 10 years as a teacher.

Fisher also served as a United States Marine Corps fighter pilot for 21 years. He is on numerous committees, and has been the recipient of awards from the Missouri Farm Bureau and other organizations. Fisher is also a member of many civic groups. The Vietnam Veterans of America, the National Rifle Association and the Parents as Teachers groups are but a partial listing of his many activities.

Other nominees were Dennis Painter, Ginny Nash and Bob Beaver. Winners received an engraved plaque from the Chamber of Commerce.