Times staff
Monday, September 20, 2010
CLEARWATER — Dee Allison, Laverne Welch and Jim England earned special member recognition Friday at the 58th annual meeting of the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Commerce at Sheraton Sand Key Resort.
Allison, of Hampton Inn & Suites-Largo, was named Committee Chairman of the Year for her work as head of the Women in Business Council that included Women Inspire Awards Luncheon, Chamber Holiday Luncheon and the Women in Business Power Networking program.
Welch, of Sonnenberg Insurance, described as "a networking dynamo gifted with leadership savvy," received the Membership Award for her role in the success of the chamber's membership campaign and as vice chairman of the Ambassadors Committee that has become "the eyes and ears of the staff and board of directors."
England, of England Brothers Construction, received the Chairman's Award, an honor selected by each committee chairman for the person who has made important contributions to the organization during his or her term. England is on the board of directors and during the past year was co-chair of the chamber's Economic and Small Business Development Committee.
Also at Friday's meeting, Gene Evans of USAmeriBank was introduced and welcomed as the chamber's new chairman. His executive committee includes George Glover of Bay Star Hotel Group, treasurer; Laurie Bunce of Centratel Services, immediate past chairman; England, vice chairman; David Puckett of Allstate Insurance, chairman-elect; Debra Jones of Regions Bank; Richard Satcher, president and CEO of Largo Medical Center; and Dr. James Rivenbark of Diagnostic Clinic.
New and re-elected board directors, who will serve one- and two-year terms beginning Oct. 1, are Polly Bateman, Palms of Largo; England, England Brothers Construction; Christine Hayter, Morton Plant Mease/St. Anthony's Hospitals; Melody Hunter, Charles Ruttenberg Realty; Tracy Jackson, Jackson & Associates CPA; Lori LeGrow, Everest University; Daniel Maguire, Knology; Jimmie Nelson, Walmart Neighborhood Market; Luis Ordaz, Progress Energy; David Puckett, Allstate Insurance; Kathy Pabst Robshaw, Telephone Effectiveness; and Lars Wiren, Electronic Payments Inc.
