Spinning basketballs and a challenge to be adopt a “glass half-full philosophy” underscored the 94^th Annual Dinner Meeting of the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce.  Billed as “An Evening Out: The Social Event of the Year,”  the  guests enjoyed mixing with the valley’s movers and shakers, visiting 30-plus business exhibits, dining on a wonderful meal prepared by Chef Walter Miller, listening to the smooth jazz sounds of Simply Ira and cheering the award winners!   

 

MACC Chairman of the Board Dave Archer shared highlights of 2008, commenting that our chamber was active in working with the city and county to revamp the building permit process, working in work force development on the Teen Career Awareness Initiative and coordinating a field trip to area industry so teachers could see first-hand local job opportunities.  Being recognized by the Ohio BWC as the #2 ranked safety council in the state Ohio was quite an achievement. 

 

Archer also reflected on the economy, saying, “As I look forward to this next year, I would like to share some  ideas: 2009 could be a banner year for Marietta and Washington County...let’s get together and refuse to participate in recessions, depressions or even downturns! 

 

No one at the Chamber is unaware of the crisis in our national economy.  And, yes, we are aware how the troubles on Wall Street, in the housing market and the automotive industry are impacting even our local businesses and industries.  But this is not the time to respond to a national crisis by retreating or continuing to do business the way we always have.  The buffalo left the Ohio Valley a long time ago and they’re not coming back.   We can not do business in 2009 like we did a long time ago. More than ever, businesses need to find new ways to operate and new markets to explore. I believe that the diversity of our businesses, the enduring pioneer spirit of perseverance inherited from our forefathers plus our ability to adapt and change will see us through this storm to a brighter day.” 

 

Keynote speaker was Greg White, Head Basketball Coach of the University of Charleston, Charleston WV.  Coach White shared his story and his tips to being a winner, not just on the basketball court, but also in life.  From not being accepted to the school basketball team for five years, White went on to be the 1977 WV Player of the Year.  With determination and lots ofpractive, White turned his love of basketball into a career coaching students.  He teaches more than basketball skills; he focuses on teaching the kids the skills needed to succeed in life.   His lessons work for adults as well as kids.

 

He summed up his recipe for being a winner with the 5 “C”s.  Communication – being able to convey tour message and being able to listen; costume – making a good first impression by dressing and behaving appropriately for the situation; character- doing the right things for the right reasons; challenge - having a goal to attain, not just drifting through life; and change - what once was is no longer and you need to ready to adapt as the world changes. 

 

“Tonight’s dinner is part of a long-standing tradition of people supporting the chamber and, more importantly, supporting each other as business people.  We are proud that each year our chamber hosts one of the top five largest chamber gatherings in Ohio.  It is a testimony to the strength of this community, of how we pull together and how our solidarity will pull us through these tough times,” commented Charlotte Keim, chamber president. 

 

Matt Hansell sang the National Anthem and later closed with a rendition of God Bless the USA, bringing the crowd of 530 to their feet.  Marty Hansell delivered the invocation and benediction.

 

The Washington County Council of Cooperatives Agriculture of the Year award recipient was Edward Harra. Presetner Kari Burkey noted that “Ed’s work has a major influence over the agriculture and business community in not only Washington County, but over several counties in the mid-Ohio valley.” 

 

Highlights of Ed’s Career: In 1973, he expanded his grain farming operation by renting a large farm from Chesterhill Stone and went on to rent several more farms in the Beverly area to grow corn, wheat, soybeans and hay.  In the late 1980s and early 1990s his crop farming operation had grown to over 600 acres of cash grain production.

 

In 1988 Ed took on the position of general manager at Washington Landmark, where he organized the consolidation of the local Washington Landmark business with the Rolling Hills Landmark and the newly formed Green Valley Co-op now serves over 12 counties in southeast Ohio and West Virginia.

 

Harra recently planned and had constructed southeast Ohio’s only new grain milling operation just south of Cambridge.  This multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art milling facility will offer scientifically formulated livestock feed rations to most of southeast Ohio and western West Virginia.  Congratulations!

 

The 36^th  Zonta Elizabeth L. Hadler Woman of the Year award was presented to Karen Kumpf, executive Director of Harvest of Hope.  In 2005, she began a grass roots campaign to feed the hungry in Washington County.  With the help of more than 100 volunteers, over 40,000 pounds of food were distributed in 2008 to Washington County food pantries and other feeding programs.

 

This was the inaugural year for the Young Emerging Leader of the Year honoree. The award was presented to Renee Steffen, who works as the AmeriCorps VISTA Campus-Community Collaboration Leader.

 

She has been active in the community working on ReStore Marietta’s Promotions Committee, is a graduate of the Telesis Community Leadership Program, and volunteers with Relay for Life, Coaches against Cancer, Habitat for Humanity, Christmas on Campus. 

 

David Haas was honored with the Gabe Zide Citizen of the Year Award.  This award recognizes an individual whose contribution have made this a better place.  Dave has been active with St. Mary’s Church, served on the YMCA Board of Directors for 6 years including a term as president, and worked on fund raising for the Allohak Council Boy Scouts of America for four years.

 

Economic development is a passion and he is on the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority Board, now serving as chairman.  Dave was also a board director with the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce for eight years serving as the vice chairs of Community development, Organizational affairs, and Economic development. 

 

Haas is also very active in the Morning Rotary Club, where he has served as club president, served as a Member of Rotary District 6690 operation Smile Committee, is a Rotary Foundation Benefactor, a four-time Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, which is a donation of $1000 to the Rotary Foundation for each Paul Harris Award, Recipient of 4 Avenues of Service Award, Recipient of Rotarian of the year award 2007 -2008, Assistant District Governor 99-2000, Foundation Committee Chairman and this year participated in an International service project in which he recently returned from for construction of water and Sanitation facilities for the Embera Drua Indian tribe in the Panama.

 

Haas also sits on the Local 168 Plumbers and Pipefitters Joint Apprenticeship Council and the local board of the Sheet Metal and Air conditioning Contractors National Association. 

 

Al Lang was honored as the 2009 Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year.  In presenting the award, John Matthews noted, “the vast majorities of his real accomplishments are completed very quietly without the need or desire for recognition. The true impact of his participation is felt throughout the entire community.”

 

Lang started his business twenty-seven years ago in Devola in the backyard of his rented home with one truck and a bobcat. This business has grown from its humble beginnings to become a significant area employer with a fleet of twenty-five trucks, fourteen trailers, twenty year-round employees and an additional thirty-five seasonal employees.

 

Some of the highlights of Lang’s service and business highlights include: