From The Tribune staff reports
LEEDS — Over 80 people gathered on Thursday, Dec. 15, for the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Celebration at Leeds First Methodist Church. Katering 101 catered a delicious lunch, and select community leaders were recognized for their outstanding performance with award presentations.
2022 Ambassador of the Year Award Recipient – Phillip Samuels
2022 Ambassador of the Year Phillip Samuels – America’s First Federal Credit Union pictured with 2022 Ambassador Chairman Randell Pickering – Mills Pharmacies. (Photo courtesy of Dona Bonnett)
The 2022 Ambassador of the Year Award was presented to Phillip Samuels with America’s First Federal Credit Union. Each year, a Corporate Ambassador is chosen for the coveted Ambassador of the Year Award, who has exhibited outstanding performance in promoting and supporting the Chamber and its programs. Our Corporate Ambassadors meet monthly in a round table setting to build professional relationships and work on chamber and community projects and events. These Ambassadors work in the capacity as a junior board member under the direction of our Board of Directors, sharing ideas, working on chamber committees, and are instrumental in molding a positive direction for our Chamber of commerce. Not only does Phillip attend most any Chamber or community event, he is willing to help in any way with any task at hand. He is a great team player and welcome addition over the last year to the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Corporate Ambassador team. Phillip will be serving on the 2023 Chamber Board of Directors.
2022 Civic Award Recipient – Stephanie Yarber
2022 Civic Award Recipient Stephanie Yarber pictured with LHS Chamber Diplomat Caden Vance. (Photo courtesy of Dona Bonnett)
The 2022 Civic Award was presented to Stephanie Yarber with Red Diamond SweetRide. The Civic Award is designed to recognize an exemplary individual. Stephanie is willing to work at any event that the Chamber and community hosts and always delivers with a smile. She definitely goes over and beyond, and the Chamber appreciates the job she has done in coordination with the Chamber Events Team this year on all events.
2022 Volunteer of the Year Award Recipient – Ken Harrell
2022 Volunteer of the Year Award Recipient Ken Harrell pictured with LHS Chamber Diplomat Cayleigh Vance. (Photo courtesy of Dona Bonnett)
The 2022 Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Ken Harrell with Leeds Water Works Board. The Volunteer Award is given to someone that has shown a willingness to volunteer their time and energy to help with chamber events. Ken shows up any time he is asked to lend a helping hand by setting up and tearing down of our luncheon tables and chairs, working in their spare time to provide security all night at our Creek Bank Festival. While Leeds Water Works employees are always willing to help, Ken Harrell goes above and beyond.
2022 President’s Award Recipient – Mae Hinton
2022 President’s Award Recipient Mae Hinton. (Photo courtesy of Dona Bonnett)
The 2022 President’s Award was presented to Mae Hinton. This award is chosen by the outgoing President and given to someone who goes above and beyond expectations during his or her tenure. This award has not been given every year; however, Chamber President Bill Morris has watched this person at work this past year. Mae is someone who is always willingly helpful in organizing the food and tables for chamber luncheons wherever this organization is meeting, whether at Leeds First Methodist Church or at Leeds First Baptist Church. Mae is just notified where the meeting will be held, and she takes it from there, taking necessary supplies back and forth as well as making coffee and transporting it if needed. In addition, she picks up supplies such as drinks, desserts, or paper products whenever needed. She makes sure, along with the ladies who help her each month, that the tables have seasonal centerpieces and everything is ready to sit down and enjoy the lunch and meeting.
2023 Non-Profit of the Year Award Recipient – Knights of Columbus Leeds Council #5597
2022 Non-Profit of the Year Recipient Knights of Columbus Leeds Council #5597 with Dr. Bill Watkins, Don Tice, LHS Chamber Diplomat Caden Vance and Keith Kennedy. (Photo courtesy of Dona Bonnett)
Knights of Columbus Leeds Council #5597 was the recipient of the 2022 Non-Profit of the Year Award. This award is presented each year to a non-profit organization that serves the Leeds area community in a caring manner through their time, talents, and services to the citizens of Leeds. With more than 75 men in this Metro Leeds faith-based, non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to serving those in need, their central objectives are charity, unity, and patriotism, and they meet monthly at Leeds Civic Center. Their annual charity fundraiser for persons with intellectual disabilities (also known as the Tootsie Roll Drive) benefits special education teachers at our local schools. Other fundraisers that you are familiar with include Friday night Bingo events throughout the year and the annual Beach Getaway that help fund their charity work. Their work is far-reaching and includes donations to Backpack Buddies, Leeds Outreach, Ann’s New Life Center, The Red Barn, many Catholic charities, meeting local community needs, and so much more. In addition, the Leeds Council hosts the annual Veterans Day and Memorial Day events at Leeds Memorial Park to recognize and honor Veterans. One of their most recent endeavors is to offer American Flags to Leeds area businesses. These businesses submit names of Veterans affiliated with the business owner and staff, which are read at the time the flag is placed at the business, as well as added to the list of names to be read on Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
2022 Business of the Year Recipient – The Wooden Anchor
Business of the Year 2022 The Wooden Anchor – Leslie & Steve Rutledge – Owners pictured with LHS Chamber Diplomat Cayleigh Vance. (Photo courtesy of Dona Bonnett)
The 2022 Business of the Year Award was presented to The Wooden Anchor. This coveted award recognizes an organization that has demonstrated a consistent and genuine commitment to strong business ethics and who has served the Leeds area in a special and caring manner. The Wooden Anchor sells home decor and gift items and builds beautiful farmhouse furniture. Many of their items are handmade, and they offer holiday items galore. Steve and Leslie Rutledge, a custom furniture builder and an artist, chose Leeds as their first storefront business and opened just one year ago. They hit the ground running and plugged into the community while building relationships and serving customers. When you stop in their store, you will find Steve designing or building furniture while Leslie customizes a gift item with a warm, friendly smile. Soon after a new business start-up, they fell in love with the Leeds community and decided to make it their home and only live a few blocks from their downtown shop.
Chamber Board Member Recognition and Installation
2023 Chamber Board of Directors Being Sworn In. (Photo courtesy of Dona Bonnett)
Mayor David Miller recognized Bill Morris for serving as the 2022 Chamber President. In addition, Miller installed the incoming 2023 chamber board as follows: President – Tiffiany Ward – Millennial Bank, 1st Vice-President – Jeannie Cole – The Outlet Shops of Grand River, 2nd Vice-President – Steven Weems – First Baptist Church Leeds, Treasurer – Steve Karr – Leeds Arts Council, Immediate Past President – Bill Morris – Leeds Water Works Board, Kayla Jones – Exit Realty, Alicia Wilson – Chick-fil-A, Debbie Watkins – Watkins Realty, Rachel Borrello – Workout Anytime Leeds, Phillip Samuels – America’s First Federal Credit Union, Telra Rocker – Alabama Power, Vickie Hemphill – Kinetic by Windstream, Christy Smith – Cadence Bank, John Moore – Leeds City Schools Superintendent and Sandra McGuire, Chamber Executive Director. 2022 Board Members rolling off the Board are 2022 Immediate Past President Dona Bonnett – adr Business & Marketing Strategies, Fred Britt – Power Composites, Chris Savage – Kinetic by Windstream, and Linda Miller – Guardian Systems, Inc.
2022 Corporate Sponsor Recognition
Outgoing President Bill Morris pictured with Mayor David Miller and LHS Chamber Diplomat Tripp Bishop. (Photo courtesy of Dona Bonnett)
President Bill Morris recognized corporate partners and sponsors: Presenting Sponsor – City of Leeds, Corporate Partner – Lehigh Cement, Gold Sponsors – Brunson, Barnett & Sherrer, P.C., Hubbell Power Systems, Silver Sponsors – Great Beginnings Learning Center, LLC, Leeds Water Works, Millennial Bank, and UAB Leeds, Bronze Sponsors – adr Business & Marketing Strategies, Alabama Power Company, AMAC Design Builders, America’s First Federal Credit Union, Buc-ee’s, Cadence Bank, Guardian Systems, Inc., IKG USA, Kinetic by Windstream, M & M Tax Accounting, Power Composites and The Outlet Shops of Grand River.
The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce provides many programs and services to serve the Leeds community and support local businesses. Monthly Chamber luncheons are held on the third Thursday of each month at Leeds First Methodist Church Family Life Center. The Chamber wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
For more information about the annual awards celebration and the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.LeedsAreaChamber.com.
