The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce held its 116th Annual Membership Banquet on Friday night.  In a change of venue and format, the event began with a reception inside the Depot (sponsored by Hometown Liquor), where the crowd was entertained by the Flying Ivories Dueling Pianos. 

This year’s Leadership Brownwood graduates were recognized at the reception.

Then the crowd moved outdoors to the Margaret and Stuart Coleman Plaza, where the dinner was served by the Diamond R Store and Cafe.  After dinner the community awards for this year were presented.  The top award each year is the “Groner Pitts Citizen of the Year” award, this year sponsored by Texas Clean.  This year’s winner of the award is Jessie Hamilton, owner of Hamilton’s clothing store in downtown Brownwood.  Ms. Hamilton was out of town and unable to accept her award in person.

Other awards presented were:

Man of the Year (Sponsored by Brown County Abstract Co.):  Draco Miller

Woman of the Year (Sponsored by Auto Glass Magic):  Vicki Firth

Community Partner of the Year (Sponsored by Farmer’s Insurance Lenzi Agency):  Accel Health

Professional of the Year (Sponsored by United Supermarkets):  Marshall McIntosh

Ambassador of the Year (Sponsored by Roberson Rent-All):  Jeanice Padilla

Volunteer of the Year (Sponsored by Aldersgate Enrichment Center):  Lisa Caldwell

Stuart Coleman Good Neighbor Awards

Sponsored by Andy’s Pest Troopers:  Mica Allgood

Sponsored by Mike Hall – State Farm Insurance:  Jonathan Harvey

Sponsored by Ann Jones Real Estate:  Martha Faetche (not pictured)

Small Business of the Year (Sponsored by Painter and Johnson Financial):  The Hen House

Medium Business of the Year (Sponsored by TSTC Foundation):  Teddy’s Brewhaus

Large Business of the Year (Sponsored by Strong Business Solutions LLC):  United Supermarkets

Agriculture Business of the Year (Sponsored by Texas Farm Bureau Co.):  Sliger’s Hometown Market

Presenting sponsor for the Membership Banquet was 3M.  Gold sponsors were Accel Health and Citizens National Bank.  VIP Sponsors were Ann Jones Real Estate, Chick-Fil-A, Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood, Smile Doctors, and United Supermarkets.