Bill Robinson
Phyllis Adams, long-time president of the Richmond Little League and director Head Start for Kentucky River Foothills since 1976, was presented the Richmond Chamber of Commerce’s Wallace G. Maffett Award for Public Service on Thursday night.
Adams also serves on the Madison County Children’s Champions board, the Safe Kids Network and Communities That Care as well as the Child Development and Family Life Committees.
In an acceptance speech punctuated with emotion, Adams said she was blessed to have two wonderful parents and family of her own. Her father received a similar award from the Hazard Chamber of Commerce more than 30 years earlier, she said.
Her community and professional work is motivated by her desire to see all children have the same advantages she had and then be able to provide those opportunities to their children.
Industry of the Year
The Industry of the Year Award went to the Blue Grass Army Depot.
The second largest employer in Madison County accounts for $195 million of the local economy, according to the depot’s nomination. In recent years, the depot has gone through unprecedented expansion of its capabilities, projects and mission, while adding 300 employees. The depot also provides numerous internships and cooperative learning opportunities to college students.
Col. Joseph Tirone, depot commander, said maintenance and destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile is a crucial depot mission, but the facility plays a large role in providing supplies to American military personnel around the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan.
Business of the Year
Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center was named business of the year.
The hospital, founded in 1892, completed renovation of its third and fourth floors in October to increase in-patient safety, privacy and comfort. Pattie A. Clay is the only facility in the area to have newly-built, rather than converted, single patient rooms, according to the nomination.
Also in October, Pattie A. Clay opened a facility in Garrard County that houses a specialty clinic, outpatient laboratory and two internal medicine practices. It also partnered with the Madison County School District to establish “Learn-Well Clinics” that provide episodic care to all school children countywide.
Small Business of the Year
Surge, a promotions firm, won the Small Business of the Year Award.
Owners Matt Browning and Devon Price involved their business in numerous chamber and community events, according to their nomination, including the city’s Halloween Hoe-Down, Christmas Parade and City Fest as well as the chamber’s Ambassador program and several golf scrambles. In June, Surge relocated to a 2,800 square-foot facility on Jason Drive. Despite a general economic downturn, Surge saw its business increase 75 percent in the past year and went from three to nine employees.
Minority Business of the Year
Luxury Pet Services, owned by LaDonna Sizemore and Harriet Spivey, was named Minority Business of the Year.
In addition to contributing its services to raise money for the Humane Society, Luxury Pet Services provides free grooming for rescued pets and helps place homeless dogs. The business also organized a pet fair that included 4-H Dog Clubs and other local pet service businesses. Luxury Pet’s employees volunteer at the Compassionate Care Center of Hospice Care Plus and provide free care for the center’s therapy dog.
Educator of the Year
Madison County Schools Superintendent Tommy Floyd received the Educator of the Year Award.
Floyd came to Madison County in 2006 to be the district’s chief academic officers and in 2008 was named superintendent, succeeding the late B. Michael Caudill. Floyd was cited for bringing several new programs to the district, including Student Voice organizations and Chinese language classes in both high schools, literacy awareness and child development training in the homes of 2- to 5 -year-olds and African-American mentoring. He also has created several community partnerships, such as the Learn-Well Clinics.
Lexington TV newswoman and Eastern Kentucky University graduate Amber Kennoy, who helped emcee the program with Dan McBride, said she has many friends who teach in Madison County.
“They love teaching in this district” and appreciate having a supportive superintendent such as Floyd, she said. “I also have friends who teach in other districts and they can’t say the same about their work.”
Bernease Beautification Awards
Beautification Awards went to Walt Ecton and Ed Worley.
Ecton renovated Richmond’s historic bus station on Water Street, which now houses his law office. His work led to the building being included on the National Register of Historic Places and listed by the Bluegrass Trust for Historic Preservation.
Worley renovated the former Domino’s Pizza building on Collins Street, which now houses the offices of two of his businesses. Worley said he believes in downtown Richmond and to let it “crumble would do irreparable damage” to Richmond’s image. He pledged to continue investing in downtown buildings.
Community Service Awards
Scott Johnson, who serves on the boards of eight community organizations, including the chamber, the Red Cross and Madison United Soccer, received a community service award. He also chaired the chamber’s ambassador committee this past year and attended every chamber ribbon cutting.
Bechtel Parsons Bluegrass, the civilian contractor for the chemical weapons destruction plant at the Blue Grass Army Depot, also received a community service award. The firm and its employees have contributed more than $500,000 to local charitable, educational and health causes since it came to Madison County six years ago. It was named EKU’s employer of the year because of the many internships and cooperative education opportunities it offers students.
Other awards
Jim Dause, who has farmed for 43 years and manages the Bluegrass Stockyards, won the agriculture award. The Howard and Neal Colyer Dedication Award went to Pat Olds. Adam Poff received the Doris Manno Ambassador of the Year Award. The 110 Percent Award was presented to Jerian Shaw.
Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 624-6622.
