6-24-2021 9:42pm

Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce announces 2021 award winners, new board members

Rick Amburgey Neighbor

Representatives from Carlisle Manor with their award. Photo Contributed.

Continuing a tradition begun in 1957, the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce recently announced its annual award winners, who were honored at the Chamber's annual meeting and election of officers on June 22.

Carlisle Manor was named Business of the Year and Premier Health Atrium Medical Center was named Industry of the Year; both are given for long-term service to the community. The Perry Maxwell Award for fostering community goodwill was awarded to Craig and Kim Harris of Carlisle. The Thirkield Award for commercial property renovation was given to Michael and Savannah Kilpatrick of The Farm on Central. The President's Award for service to the chamber or the community was given to co-winners, Franklin City Schools and Carlisle Local Schools. The Eldridge Award for historic preservation was given to Mike and Dawn McKinney of Carlisle..

The chamber's most prestigious award is Citizen of the Year; this award is not announced until the ceremony. "This year's Citizen of the Year is Franklin City Manager Jonathan Westendorf," said Peggy Darragh-Jeromos, executive director of the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce, "He has received multiple nominations and is incredibly deserving of this award."

The chamber also elected a new board president, Franklin City Schools superintendent Dr. Mike Sander, and seven new board members. " We ordinarily elect 3 or 4 board members in any given year, but due to the pandemic and board member job changes, we had seven positions to fill," said Darragh-Jeromos. New board members are Lori Etmans from Premier Health and Tom Wiggershaus from Wesbanco, who were both elected to 3-year terms. Kim Gates, Warren County Career Center; Kristyn Yascavage, Atlas Roofing; and Josh Meyers, Edward Jones were all elected to 2-year terms. Tony Mendez, Pfizer, and Jen Crosby, Berkshire Hathaway Professional Realty HomeServices, were both elected to one-year terms. Their terms officially begin on July 1. In addition to Sander, the remainder of the Chamber's board includes Neyssa Garcia, Centerpoint Health; Traci Stivers, Franklin Township; Dr. David Vail; Carlisle Local Schools; Julie Duffy, Municipality of Carlisle; and Jonathan Westendorf; City of Franklin.

The Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1947; its 210 members are primarily from the 45005 zip code, but include members from Springboro, Lebanon, Dayton, Cincinnati, Middletown, Germantown, and other communities. The chamber's goals are to assist members in making connections, getting noticed, and saving money so they can grow and thrive. For more information, call (937) 746-8457.

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This story was written by Franklin Area Chamber Of Commerce staff.