Orange Park, FL – October 21, 2009

The Clay County Chamber of Commerce recognized visionary leaders in Clay County at their annual awards & installation event on Tuesday, October 20, 2009.  The Clay County Chamber introduced the Louis L. Huntley Pacesetter Award in 2006.  This annual award is given to a Clay County resident who has shown true vision for the betterment of the county.  This year’s recipient was Marvin E. Wilhite.  In addition, The Chamber honored several members last night.  Art Shuster (Shake’s Frozen Custards) received the Clay Today/Clay County Chamber of Commerce “Business Person of the Year” Award.  Catherine Yanuchi received the award for Ambassador of the Year.  Outgoing Chairman Theresa M. Smith (Jacksonville Jaguars) gave the Chairman’s Award to Kathryn Middleton (Hilton Garden Inn) for going above and beyond to accommodate the Chamber and its members with meeting space and exceptional hospitality.  In addition, the Clay County Chamber of Commerce recognized YMCA of Florida’s First Coast as the 2009 Business Education Partner of the Year. 

During the evening, outgoing chairman, Theresa M. Smith, administered the oath of office to Ron Coleman (Baronco Management Consultants, Inc.) as the new Chairman of the Board.  Other members of the 2009/20010 Board of Directors include Marge Hutton (Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute - Orange Park, Chairman Elect; Theresa M. Smith, Immediate Past Chair; Byron Allmond (VyStar Credit Union), Chair of Finance; Russell Buck (VyStar Credit Union) Chair of the Economic Development Advisory Board; Dr. Carlton Robinson (Human Capital Management, LLC.), Chair of the Business Development Advisory Board; Tim McLane (John  Hancock Insurance), Chair of Government Affairs; Elaine Umbaugh (Atlantic Coast Bank) Chair of Members & Investors Relations; Heidi Hanes, Chair of Workforce/Education; Kathryn Middleton (Hilton Garden Inn), Chair of Marketing & Communications; Gordon Jesperson (Kopelousos & Bradley), General Counsel; Thomas Pentz (Orange Park Medical Center), At-Large; Marsha Fields (DuVal Fields Consulting), At-Large; Nancy Alberts (Alberts Education Center), At- Large; Art Shuster (Shake’s Frozen Custard), At-Large; Terry Lewis (TLC Enterprises), Business Council Connection Representative  & Kellie Jo Kilberg, IOM, CCE (Clay County Chamber of Commerce), President.