Forney, Texas – The Forney Chamber of Commerce announced their yearly community and business awards at their 27th Annual Chamber Meeting and Banquet on Wednesday afternoon, February 5, 2014, at Forney's First United Methodist Church.
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This year, two chamber awards ended in a tie vote – the Helping Hands award and the Business of the Year award for businesses with six to 15 employees. Receiving the 2013 Helping Hands awards were Phyllis Lyons and Warren Middle School's Impact Change 360 program.
City Bank Vice President Tisha Sims nominated and presented Lyons with the 2013 Helping Hands award. Sims made the nomination because of Lyons' involvement with the Chamber of Commerce, senior citizens, Forney Fire Department's selection committee, and her support for the Forney Food Pantry. “She has a heart of gold,” said Sims.
Forney Mayor Darren Rozell nominated and presented two student representatives of the Impact Change 360 program their 2013 Helping Hands award. Warren Middle School Principal Kenneth Pearce and Assistant Principal Robyn Grossnicklaus joined the students in accepting the award.
The Impact Change 360 program most recently restored the 4-acre Prairie View Cemetery last November. “This is the type of situation where now the community is saying 'hey you guys are doing what is right',” said Pearce. “Work on that cemetery was just the right thing to do.”
Forney Independent School District Board of Trustees Vice President Gregg Pharris then presented Forney ISD Superintendent Michael Holland with the 2013 Citizen of the Year award for his contributions in restoring the district's financial state.
“I just did my job,” said Holland after receiving the award. “There are so many other people out here that deserve to be citizen of the year who do so much for our community. This award is for the entire community. This award is for our school district.”
The Forney Messenger's Assistant Editor Jennie Moore then presented the 2013 Business of the Year awards for three categories, businesses with one to five employees, six to 15, and 16 or more employees.
For businesses with one to six employees, the 2013 Business of the Year award was presented to Simply Great Catering. Owner Sheri Garza and her family accepted the award. The other tied vote award, the 2013 Business of the Year award for businesses with six to 15 employees, was presented to Alfredo's Steakhouse and Madre's Cocina.
The 2013 Business of the Year award for businesses with 16 or more employees was presented to Forney's Best Western Plus Christopher Inn & Suites and their Director of Sales, Kennian Short, accepted the award.
City Bank Vice President Tisha Sims nominated and presented Lyons with the 2013 Helping Hands award. Sims made the nomination because of Lyons' involvement with the Chamber of Commerce, senior citizens, Forney Fire Department's selection committee, and her support for the Forney Food Pantry. “She has a heart of gold,” said Sims.
Forney Mayor Darren Rozell nominated and presented two student representatives of the Impact Change 360 program their 2013 Helping Hands award. Warren Middle School Principal Kenneth Pearce and Assistant Principal Robyn Grossnicklaus joined the students in accepting the award.
The Impact Change 360 program most recently restored the 4-acre Prairie View Cemetery last November. “This is the type of situation where now the community is saying 'hey you guys are doing what is right',” said Pearce. “Work on that cemetery was just the right thing to do.”
Forney Independent School District Board of Trustees Vice President Gregg Pharris then presented Forney ISD Superintendent Michael Holland with the 2013 Citizen of the Year award for his contributions in restoring the district's financial state.
“I just did my job,” said Holland after receiving the award. “There are so many other people out here that deserve to be citizen of the year who do so much for our community. This award is for the entire community. This award is for our school district.”
The Forney Messenger's Assistant Editor Jennie Moore then presented the 2013 Business of the Year awards for three categories, businesses with one to five employees, six to 15, and 16 or more employees.
For businesses with one to six employees, the 2013 Business of the Year award was presented to Simply Great Catering. Owner Sheri Garza and her family accepted the award. The other tied vote award, the 2013 Business of the Year award for businesses with six to 15 employees, was presented to Alfredo's Steakhouse and Madre's Cocina.
The 2013 Business of the Year award for businesses with 16 or more employees was presented to Forney's Best Western Plus Christopher Inn & Suites and their Director of Sales, Kennian Short, accepted the award.