Lake Havasu Press Release
June 13, 2011
Chamber Gives Recognition
to Organization and Community Leaders
The Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce gave special
recognition to several Chamber and community leaders Friday evening during
its 38th
Annual Meeting and Celebration of Business. The event was held at the
Chamber of Commerce Community Stage.
Whelan Leadership
Award: Three years ago the Chamber added a new award to recognize the
graduates of Havasu Leadership Development. This program, a few years ago
dubbed the Jewel in the Chamber’s Crown, has graduated 237 local business
persons and residents from a 9-month training program and was named in honor
of Judy and the late Bob Whelan who always have supported this and other
Chamber programs. Graduates are encouraged to get involved in Lake Havasu
City – in their churches, schools, places of business, and in the many non
profit and charitable organizations within our borders. Our graduates have
not disappointed us and this year’s Whelan Leadership Awardee is someone who
takes leadership skills quietly, but also seriously. Tom Otero, owner of
Mohave Electric, is a graduate from the class of 2007 is no stranger to the
Chamber. He has been an active volunteer through the Ambassador Committee
for a number of years. He is a small business owner who has helped with
Winterfest since 2001. An animal lover, he is an active volunteer with the
Western Area Humane Society and during his Leadership year, led the class
project of building Friendship Park at the animal shelter.
Ambassador of the Year: This year’s Ambassador of the Year is Jennifer
Whetten, partner in Whettrods Ski Rentals. Jennifer is someone who really
enjoys the role of Ambassador and is one of the first every time to step to
the plate when needed. She participates in nearly every ribbon cutting and
grand opening, and was a huge part of the success of the recent National
Association of Chamber Ambassadors held here in May. Jennifer has an
infectious smile and she encounters. She’s great at recruiting new members
and she and her husband both have become regular volunteers at Chamber
functions.
Havasu Booster: The criteria for this award, which we brought back into the
mix this year at the membership’s request, is for someone – an individual, a
business or an organization, who has boosted the morale and community
development of Lake Havasu City during the past year. This year’s recipient
is the Havasu Foundation for Higher Education. This tireless group of
visionaries decided what Havasu needed was an organization that would not
only drive new and future economic development, but also enhance the higher
educational opportunities for Havasu and our surrounding communities. This
group has formed an amazing partnership with every educational and economic
stakeholder in the area and they’ve been working for several years to
achieve a goal of bringing a four year university campus in our town.
They’ve courted several institutions of higher learning but during these 12
months focused on Arizona State University.
Community Development and Improvement: This award recognizes the development
or improvement of real property in Lake Havasu City. This year’s recipient
is McDonald’s of Havasu. For years McDonald’s conducted business in a
building built in the 1980’s, much loved by locals and visitors alike. The
past 30 years took its toll on the building, and new technological
advancements along with a fresh look and better opportunities to serve
customers were needed. Even in the midst of these difficult economic times,
the owner believed in Lake Havasu City so much that he made a big
reinvestment in our community. Owner Abe Martinez razed the old building and
built a brand new, state of the art place where Ronald, the Grimace and the
Hamburgler have a new home and where new generations of our kids and adults
can enjoy a Big Mac or an Egg McMuffin.
Chamber Business of the Year: This award recognizes a business that has made
an outstanding contribution to the growth and stability of the Chamber of
Commerce in the past 12 months. This year’s recipient, Mohave State Bank,
has done all that, and then some. Team members from this business are
involved in the Ambassador Committee, in our Leadership program and on our
Board. This business was also the first to purchase “Just Like Living in
Paradise” tee shirts to wear on Chamber Fridays. A longtime partner in
providing financial guidance to the Chamber, the Chamber Business of the
Year sets a shining example in business and community for us all. This
year’s Business of the Year is Mohave State Bank.
Volunteer of the Year: Mike Schuler, co-owner of Sunbelt Appliance and
Repair, is the recipient. Mike exemplifies the meaning of volunteer, working
tirelessly to assist the chamber without seeking any recognition. He always
says yes which helps the Chamber be successful, but never asks for anything
in return. Mike truly understands the philosophy of giving back – there are
days when we know he needs to be running his own business but he still makes
time to work on a chamber project including using his own company’s vehicle
and fuel to haul props for an event around town; or to help us orient one of
the 100 new members we gained this year; or to co-chair a national
conference. Mike is a former board member and a recent inductee as a
lifetime member of the National Association of Chamber Ambassadors.
Citizen of the Year: The Citizen of the Year is a very special award as it
honors an individual who makes an outstanding contribution to the community
in service and leadership. In order for the Citizen to be properly
recognized by all of Lake Havasu City, the recipient is honored by becoming
the Grand Marshall of the London Days Parade in October. This year’s awardee
is Dr. Bill Ullery. One of our recipient’s nominators said he has worked
tirelessly to achieve a dream, and his passion and tenacity have made it
real. Another mentioned the thousands of hours he has spent in making
something wonderful happen for Havasu, using his own resources and his own
time when frankly, he could be laying by the pool enjoying his retirement.
Yet another said he is one of the few that understand the economic impact
and overall awareness a 4-year university will bring to Lake Havasu City. No
matter the opposition, he has been been at the forefront, championing our
cause, and staking a claim for our community. Due to his diligence, ASU at
Lake Havasu is now a reality.
For details or more information on this or any other Chamber of Commerce
program, please call 928-855-4115
Photos: Top Left: Volunteer of the Year Tom Otero
received congratulations from 2010-2011 Chair Elect Nancy Darrow. Top Right:
Recipients of the 2010-2011 Chamber of Commerce Celebration of Business
Awards are from left: Dr. Bill Ullery, Citizen of the Year; Steve Greeley,
Nello Ruscitti, both representing Havasu Foundation for Higher Education,
Havasu Booster Award; Brian Riley, Mohave State Bank, Chamber Business of
the Year; Mike Schuler, Sunbelt Appliance and Repair, Chamber Volunteer of
the Year; Stacie Wester, McDonald’s of Havasu, Community Development and
Improvement Award; Jennifer Whetten, Whettrods Ski Rentals, Ambassador of
the Year.
