Business community, regional leaders gather for Commerce Lexington Inc. Annual Dinner at Lexington Center
About 1,000 business professionals, community and regional leaders, and elected officials attended the 2013 Commerce Lexington Inc. Annual Dinner presented by Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance at Lexington Center on Thursday, February 7. This event gave a look back at 2012, highlighted the history of the organization and some of the key goals of the organization, and recognized Commerce Lexington’s most involved members, volunteers, and community leaders.
Outgoing Board Chair Jeri Isbell of Lexmark International said, “The highlight of 2012 was the announcement that international law firm Bingham McCutchen had selected Lexington from among some 350 cities for its new global services center, bringing with it 250 jobs. More than 100 community leaders and business professionals worked on the project, which is yet another feather in the cap of the Bluegrass Business Development Partnership.”
Danny Murphy of the University of Kentucky College of Law, who took the helm as 2013 Board Chair, said, “Because our community has a history of turning visions into realities and achieving success in the face of challenges, we believe and expect that we will continue to do so. And, Commerce Lexington Inc. will be there every step of the way. We’ll lead when necessary, assist when appropriate, and facilitate when requested to address the issues and goals now before the community.”
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During the Annual Dinner, several awards were presented to recognize outstanding community leaders and volunteers, such as the Commerce Lexington Inc. Ambassador of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Leadership Lexington Adult and Youth Distinguished Leaders, the Public Policy Advocate of the Year, and the W.T. Young Lifetime Achievement Award. A list of award recipients follows.
2012 Ambassador of the Year: Mark Wiemer, Republic Bank & Trust Co.
Representatives of the highly selective Ambassadors Committee meet on a monthly basis, assist at events, are visible at ribbon cuttings and grand openings, and call on existing member companies to ensure that they are getting the most out of their membership.
2012 Volunteer of the Year: Laura Boison, U.S. Bank
The Volunteer of the Year Award is given annually to the person who best demonstrates the volunteer spirit, in both their participation and the effectiveness and outcome of their effort.
Leadership Lexington 2012 Distinguished Leader Award: Ken Gish, Stites & Harbison
This honor recognizes the class member who demonstrates strong principles and dedication to the concept of community service and embodies the spirit of Leadership Lexington and has a keen understanding of community dynamics and public issues.
Leadership Lexington Youth Program 2012 Distinguished Leader Award: Roshnee Raithatha, Henry Clay High School
Using the same criteria used for the adult program, the Leadership Lexington Youth Distinguished Leader Award is nominated by class members and selected by the Leadership Lexington Youth Steering Committee members.
2012 Public Policy Advocate of the Year: Barry Mayfield, East Kentucky Power Cooperative
The Commerce Lexington Inc. Public Policy Award honors those individuals and organizations that have made a lasting impact on Commerce Lexington and its member companies in the public policy area.
2012 W.T. Young Lifetime Achievement Award: Warren W. Rosenthal
Named for a truly exceptional community leader, this honor is presented to the person who, over an extended period of time, has achieved unparalleled success in business and who has made significant other contributions to the public well-being in Lexington and the state of Kentucky.
PLATINUM SPONSORS:
Kentucky Utilities Co.
Lexmark International
PNC Bank
EVENT DESIGN SPONSOR:
ADEX International
RECEPTION SPONSOR:
Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP
VIDEO SPONSOR:
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.
GOLD SPONSORS:
Beam, Inc.
Central Bank & Trust Co.
Community Trust Bank
Frost Brown Todd LLC
Humana
Ingersoll Rand
Kentucky American Water
Powell-Walton-Milward, a Division of J. Lanier & Co.
Saint Joseph Hospital - Part of Kentucky One Health
Stites and Harbison, PLLC University of Kentucky
Westfield Insurance
SILVER SPONSORS:
Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital
Congleton-Hacker Co.
Kentucky Community & Technical College System
BRONZE SPONSORS:
Anderson Communities
Blue Grass Airport
Child Care Council of Kentucky, Inc.
Fifth Third Bank
GRW, Inc.
Lexington Clinic
AWARD SPONSORS:
Bluegrass Community & Technical College
Frost Brown Todd LLC
Manpower of Central Kentucky
Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC
INVITATION & PROGRAM DESIGN SPONSOR:
Stablemate Creative LLC
2011 Commerce Lexington Inc. Award Winners
2011 Ambassador of the Year
Brandy Veillion, ARC Central CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO ABOUT BRANDY
Representatives of the highly selective Ambassadors Committee meet on a monthly basis, assist at events, are visible at ribbon cuttings and grand openings, and call on existing member companies to ensure that they are getting the most out of their membership.
2011 Volunteer of the Year
Warren Rogers, W. Rogers Co. CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO ABOUT WARREN
The Volunteer of the Year Award is given annually to the person who best demonstrates the volunteer spirit, in both their participation and the effectiveness and outcome of their effort.
Leadership Lexington 2011 Distinguished Leader Award
Kim Sweazy, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO ABOUT KIM
This honor recognizes the class member who demonstrates strong principles and dedication to the concept of community service and embodies the spirit of Leadership Lexington and has a keen understanding of community dynamics and public issues.
Leadership Lexington Youth Program 2011 Distinguished Leader Award
Nate White, Bryan Station High School CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO ABOUT NATE
Using the same criteria used for the adult program, the Leadership Lexington Youth Distinguished Leader Award is nominated by class members and selected by the Leadership Lexington Youth Steering Committee members.
2011 Public Policy Advocate of the Year
Darby Turner, Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO ABOUT DARBY
The Commerce Lexington Inc. Public Policy Award honors those individuals and organizations that have made a lasting impact on Commerce Lexington and its member companies in the public policy area.
2010 Commerce Lexington Inc. Award Winners
2010 Ambassador of the Year
Amanda Holifield, Manpower of Central Kentucky
Representatives of the highly selective Ambassadors Committee meet on a monthly basis, assist at events, are visible at ribbon cuttings and grand openings, and call on existing member companies to ensure that they are getting the most out of their membership. VIEW A VIDEO ABOUT AMANDA HOLIFIELD HERE
2010 Volunteer of the Year
Keith Preston, Central Bank & Trust Co.
The Volunteer of the Year Award is given annually to the person who best demonstrates the volunteer spirit, in both their participation and the effectiveness and outcome of their effort. VIEW A VIDEO ABOUT KEITH PRESTON HERE
Leadership Lexington 2010 Distinguished Leader Award
Van Meter Pettit, Town Branch Trail, Inc. & Kentucky Housing Corporation
This honor recognizes the class member who demonstrates strong principles and dedication to the concept of community service and embodies the spirit of Leadership Lexington and has a keen understanding of community dynamics and public issues. VIEW A VIDEO ABOUT VAN METER PETTIT HERE
Leadership Lexington Youth Program 2010 Distinguished Leader Award
Miles Christian Jones Clark, Henry Clay High School
Using the same criteria used for the adult program, the Leadership Lexington Youth Distinguished Leader Award recipient is nominated by class members and ultimately selected by the youth program's Steering Committee. VIEW A VIDEO ABOUT MILES CHRISTIAN JONES CLARK HERE
2010 Public Policy Advocate of the Year
Woodford Webb, The Webb Companies
The Commerce Lexington Inc. Public Policy Award honors those individuals and organizations that have made a lasting impact on Commerce Lexington and its member companies in the public policy area. Woodford Webb was honored not only for his assistance in advocacy, but also for his leadership in creating the Kentucky Regional Tour, which has positively impacted the organization’s public policy efforts. VIEW A VIEW ABOUT WOODFORD WEBB HERE
W.T. Young Lifetime Achievement Award
Don and Mira Ball, Ball Homes
Named for a truly exceptional community leader, this honor is presented to the person who, over an extended period of time, has achieved unparalleled success in business and who has made significant other contributions to the public well-being in Lexington and the state of Kentucky. VIEW A VIDEO ABOUT DON AND MIRA BALL HERE
Commerce Lexington Inc. plans, hosts, and supports a variety of events throughout the year, from networking and educational seminars to professional development opportunities to events bringing you up close and personal with key community and elected leaders. It’s our way of providing you with the tools and connections you need to make your business a success.
Here, you’ll be able to view a month-by-month calendar of Commerce Lexington Inc. events and see detailed information about upcoming events. That way, you’ll never miss another Business Link, or Public Affairs Luncheon, or Breakfast Club – or whatever.