by Marty Trese, KnoxPages.com Managing Editor
GAMBIER – More than 300 attendees gathered Friday evening for the 99th annual Knox County Chamber of Commerce dinner and awards ceremony at Kenyon College’s Peirce Hall. 2014 board chair Pat McLarnan reported the Chamber has a current membership of 394 area businesses and an 89% retention rate of membership investor, which is higher than the national average of 85%. McLarnan passed the gavel to 2015 Board Chair Vickie Sant who outlined plans for the coming year including ambassador blitz days, communicating benefits of being a chamber member, and partnering chamber members together to provide solutions to needs or problems.
The Chamber bestowed the Lifetime Achievement award to Sam Barone. The award is bestowed upon a member of the community who is known for making significant contributions to Knox County and has demonstrated a long-term commitment that has had a positive impact on our lives. The award was presented by Central Ohio Technical College President Dr. Bonnie Coe.
Barone currently serrves as executive director of the Community Foundation of Mount Vernon and Knox County and is a member of Mount Vernon City Council. Barone was born in Sandusky, Ohio and graduated from Kenyon College in 1972. Following graduation he served the College as News and Sports Information Director and Public Relations Director. He has received several accolates including:
- Executive of the Year, 1982, Veleda Chapter of the National Secretaries Association
- Ten public relations awards, by Council for the Advancement & Support of Education, 1976-1983
- The Knox County Mover & Shaker Award in 1991
- The Ohio Transit Manager of the Year, 1995
- The Community Leadership “Bell” Award, Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival Board, 2010
Barone serves of Vice Chair of Foundation Park Conservancy, Vice Chair of Mount Vernon B & O Depot Restoration Committee, he’s active in Saint Vincent de Paul Church, 15 year member and secretary of Knox Community Hospital Board of Trustees, and has served the Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon since 1995.
Barone’s volunteer record includes service with Knox County Park District, Knox County Board of Elections, Knox County Private Industry Concil and Partners in Employment Board, Mount Vernon Girls Softball, Mount Vernon Soccer Association, YMCA Youth basketball and soccer and Past Democratic Party Chair.
Upon accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award Barone acknowledged his wife, Paula, whose “love, support, and confidence in me and three children are our most important lifetime achievements.” He thanked those who have preceded him and said “When I look at this award in t he years ahead I will be reminded of all the generous, creative and good hearted Knox County people I’ve been privileged to work with over the past five decades and though I wish I felt more worthy of this recognition I could not possibly be more appreciative of it.”
Other awards presented include:
Chairman’s Award – Jeffrey Scott, Knox Community Hospital
Judy Klavins Ambassador of the Year – Dr. Margie Bennett, MVNU
Environmental Sustainability – Habitat for Humanity
Heart Award – Lasater Funeral Home and Family Center
Quality of Life – Community Foundation of Mount Venron & Knox County
Paul Slaughter Volunteer of the Year – Michael Percy
Investor in the Future – SPI Spot Science Play-Space Initiative
Woman in Business Leadership – Kelly Brenneman
Small Business of the Year – The Alcove Restaurant
Business of the Year – Lanning’s Foods
Chamber honorees from left, front row, Rachel Garcia, SPI Spot Play-Space Initiative, Investor in the Future; Dr. Margie Bennett, MVNU, Judy Klavins Ambassador of the Year; Linda Michaels, Habitat for Humanity, Environmental Sustainability; Kelly Brenneman, Woman in Business Leadership; Kim Lenkei, The Alcove Restaurant, Small Business of the Year; Gloria Lasater, Laster Funeral Home and Family Center, Heart Award. Back row, from left Steven Gilardi, Lanning’s Foods, Business of the Year; Kim Rose, Community Foundation of Mount Vernon & Knox County, Quality of Life; Jim Dye, Lanning’s Foods; Michael Percy, Griffin Insurance, Paul Slaughter Volunteer of the Year; Jeffrey Scott, Knox Community Hospital, Chairman’s Award; Sam Barone, Lifetime Achievement Award; Brent Lasater, Laster Funeral Home and Family Center. – KnoxPages.com photo by Marty Trese
