The Easley Chamber of Commerce held its 60th Annual Awards Banquet & Jester Fest at the Clyde V. Madren Conference Center Ballroom at Clemson University. The awards dinner was well attended by Easley Chamber members representing businesses in the community.
#1 Picture: Rusty Bynum (right) accepted the 2007 Ambassador of the Year Award from Kent Dykes
#2 Picture: Special Recognition went to Dr. David Spittal (left) and Gerald Sweitzer (right) for co-chairing Pickens County Vision 2025
#3 Picture: From the left Michael Dent presented awards to the present outgoing 2007 Directors Ben Hooker, Wes Bryant and Robyn Moore. Robyn Moore was also given the Director of the Year award.
#4 Picture: Gary Durkee, (left) Outback Steakhouse, accepted the 2007 Business of the Year Award from the 2006 winner John Wrenn, Chick-fil-A
#5 Picture: Emily DeRoberts presented Duke Citizenship and Service Award to former Mayor Chris Christopherson
#6 Picture: Chairman of the Board 2007, Michael Dent (left), passes the gavel to Chairman of the Board 2008, Jeff Willis
The welcome was given by Kent Dykes, President of the Easley Chamber, and Jack Ragsdale, the first President of the Chartered Easley Chamber in 1947. Dr. David Spittal, President of Southern Wesleyan University, gave the invocation. Special Recognition went to Co-Chairmen Gerald Sweitzer and Dr. David Spittal for their leadership in facilitating the vision plan for Pickens County Vision 2025.
Other speakers presenting awards were as follows: Michael Dent-Allstate Insurance, recapped 2007 achievements; John Wrenn-Chick-fil-A, presented Business of the Year Award to Outback Steakhouse-Gary Durkee Managing Partner; Emily DeRoberts-Duke Energy Customer Relations Manager; Garnet Barnes-2006 Duke Citizenship and Service Award recipient, presented the 2007 Duke Citizenship and Service award to Chris Christopherson, former Mayor of Easley.
Recognized also were the Board of Directors and the outgoing Board members who had given of their time and service for the last 3 years. They were Ben Hooker, Wes Bryant, Robyn Moore, Chris Brown, and Carol Walsh. Robyn Moore was presented the 2007 Director of the Year Award. Rusty Bynum was given the award of 2007 Ambassador of the Year.
Jeff Willis, One Tree Hill, was inducted as the new 2008 Chairman of the Board of Directors. The traditional “Passing the Gavel” to Jeff Willis was made by Michael Dent, 2007 Chairman of the Board.
