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 2012 Commerce Lexington Inc. Annual Dinner presented by Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance at Lexington Center on Thursday, February 9. This event gave a look back at 2011, highlighted some of the key goals of the organization, and recognized Commerce Lexington’s most involved members, volunteers, and community leaders.
ANNUAL DINNER VIDEO SPONSOR:
Outgoing Board Chair Harry Richart of PNC said, “In the same way that our region’s success depends on collaboration, Commerce Lexington’s efforts require collaboration for maximum effectiveness - from its advocacy efforts to its many small business programs to events like the Kentucky Regional Tour and D.C. Fly-In to its leadership development programs, to the implementation of its strategic plan and more.
Jeri Isbell of Lexmark International, who took the helm as 2012 Board Chair, is the fifth woman to lead the Commerce Lexington Inc. board. She said, “Commerce is one of the few organizations that can CONNECT, ENGAGE, and ACTIVATE our business community. Much of our community’s success in recent years is due in large part to a variety of public-private partnerships, and that’s a common trend among top cities throughout the United States.”
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, and the Public Policy Advocate of the Year. A list of award recipients follows.
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.
PLATINUM SPONSORS:
Kentucky Utilities Co.
Lexmark International, Inc.
PNC
GOLD SPONSORS: Central Bank & Trust Co. | Community Trust Bank | Frost Brown Todd LLC | GRW | Humana | Ingersoll Rand | Kentucky American Water | Powell-Walton-Milward | Stites and Harbison, PLLC | University of Kentucky | Westfield Insurance
SILVER SPONSOR: Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital | Kentucky Community & Technical College System
BRONZE SPONSORS: Anderson Communities | Audiology Associates | Blue Grass Airport | Fifth Third Bank | HDR Engineering, Inc. | Lexington Clinic | Saint Joseph Health System | Strand Associates, Inc.
VIDEO SPONSOR: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.
RECEPTION SPONSOR: Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP
AWARD SPONSORS: Bluegrass Community & Technical College | Frost Brown Todd LLC | Manpower of Central Kentucky | Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC
ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR: Wildcat Ford Lincoln
INVITATION & PROGRAM DESIGN: Stablemate Creative LLC
INVITATION & PROGRAM PRINTING: McEWEN CREATIVE Advertising & Marketing Solutions
SPECIAL THANKS: MSI Production Services | Michael Breeding Media
2011 Commerce Lexington Inc. Annual Dinner Recap
(Lexington, KY) – About 1,000 business professionals, community and regional leaders, and elected officials attended the 2011 Commerce Lexington Inc. Annual Dinner presented by Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance at Lexington Center on Thursday, February 10. This event gave a look back at 2010, highlighted some of the key goals of the organization, and recognized Commerce Lexington’s most involved members, volunteers, and community leaders.
ANNUAL DINNER "MOMENTUM" VIDEO SPONSORED BY:
Outgoing Board Chair Kim Menke of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, said, “Our 2010 theme of No Boundaries enabled Commerce Lexington to take that focal point to new heights. We not only welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Bluegrass for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, but we also hit the road as a group to places like Washington, D.C. for our DC Fly-In, Pittsburgh for our Leadership Expedition, and South Central Kentucky for our Kentucky Regional Tour.”
Harry Richart, regional president of PNC, took the helm as Board Chair for 2011. Richart said, “We’re at an interesting and pivotal point in the storied history of our community and region. The big question is how we sustain our momentum from the World Equestrian Games and leverage that success into even greater things for the Bluegrass. The Games showed us what success looks like for a community, and it’s our job to carry that success forward. I firmly believe that all of the solutions and creative ideas that we need to sustain our momentum are right here within our community.
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, Public Policy Advocate of the Year, and the W.T. Young Lifetime Achievement Award. A list of award recipients follows.
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.