MT. VERNON, IL — The Small Business Person of the Year in Jefferson County will be named at the Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet on May 27th. The Chamber announced this year’s nominees for that award as well as the recipients of all other categories at a recent press conference.
Executive Director of the Chamber Mike Beard says of the three nominees, the shortest tenured time each business has been open is 35 years.
The other awards included Young Professional Ben Sperry – owner of Joe’s Pizza and most recently Dee Bee’s.
Tina Suarez was an active Ambassador of the chamber and recently lost her battle with cancer. Her best friend Karen Broadway received a Grand Ambassador plaque on behalf of the Chamber in her honor.
(Grand Ambassador: Jamie Storey & Karen Broadway accepting the award on behalf of Tina Suarez)
The Mount Vernon Convention and Visitor’s Bureau was rewarded this year’s Friend of the Chamber.
(Lana Buck, Angela Schrum, and Victoria Nesbitt)
Mary Burgan accepted the President’s award on behalf of her late father Gino Federici.
(President’s Award: Gino Federici’s Family)
Caption for display picture: [L to R: Cathleen Shoemaker (Carl’s), Mario Hodge (Parkway Shoe), and Jay Tate (Harlow Moving)]