GAMBIER—More than 500 people celebrated when the Knox County Chamber of Commerce bestowed Teresa Bemiller with the Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual dinner Friday night.
The chamber’s highest award is given to someone who contributes significantly to the Knox County community and makes a difference in people’s lives. Through her 42 years of public service, Bemiller has done that.
Starting in 1979 when she joined the Clerk of Courts office, Bemiller has exemplified what a public servant is. At the state level, she served as president of the Ohio Clerk of Courts Association and customer services manager in former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft’s administration.
Locally, Bemiller served as executive director of Knox Metropolitan Housing, helped guide the county through the 2008 recession, and served as president of the Knox County Board of DD.
While on the DD board, Bemiller led the fight to give individuals a choice by privatizing adult care. The Ohio Association of County Boards of DD honored her with the Distinguished Service Award in 2014.
Bemiller has been county commissioner since 2008 and is a member of the Area Development Foundation Board of Directors and the OneOhio opioid board.
Bemiller was instrumental in forming the Knox County Land Bank and helped coordinate the consolidation of the city and county 911 centers.
“She has always said she would be a full-time commissioner and immersed herself in service,” COTC President John Berry said in presenting Bemiller the award.
“I am very honored to be on the list of people who came before me,” Bemiller said.
She thanked her husband, Greg, who she said has always understood the time she wanted to devote to serving.
“Most of all, thank you to the voters who put their trust in me,” she said. “It’s been a privilege.”
Other chamber awards
The chamber held its premiere event at Kenyon College’s Lowry Center. In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award, the chamber recognized others who made significant contributions to the community in 2023:
•Environmental Sustainability Award: Kokosing Nature Preserve
•Heart Award: New Directions
•Quality of Life: Hospice of North Central Ohio
•Volunteer of the Year: Anissa Treen, eMerge Real Estate
•Investor in the Future: MTVarts
•Women in Business Leadership: Cindy Cunningham, Kidwell & Cunningham
•Leadership Knox Alumni: Wendi Fowler, Park National Bank
•Entrepreneur Spirit: Road Hog Willy’s
•Small Business of the Year: North Main Cafe
•Large Business of the Year: Kokosing Construction Co.
Outgoing Board President Bethany Celmar, director of Knox Area Transit, said 2023 was a banner year with 31 new ambassadors and 53 new members.
Incoming Board President Steve Oster of Knox DD said the chamber enables industry, nonprofits, education, municipalities, and elected officials to work together toward common goals.
In accepting their awards, recipients acknowledged their staff members, co-workers, and mentors, underscoring the team effort that’s involved with community contributions.
Michele Engelbach, CEO of the Ohio Eastern Star Home, served as Mistress of Ceremonies. She noted the significance of long-term involvement by highlighting long-standing chamber members:
•26 businesses have been members between 50 and 99 years
•6 have been members for more than 100 years
•9 have been members for more than 125 years
