Annual Dinner

2011 Award Recipients (presented February 2012)

Stephen Decatur Award – Edwin E Coil
Large Business Award – First Bank of Berne
Small Business Award– Custom Car Care
Environmental Service Award – Eric Mann

Chamber Holds Annual Meeting

The Decatur Chamber held its annual dinner on Thursday February 2, 2012 at the Knights of Columbus pavilion.  Over two hundred members and guests attended the meeting.

In addition to the presentation of the annual Chamber awards, this meeting also functions as the annual business meeting for the Chamber.  Jim Compton, master of ceremonies, introduced 2011 president Carl Stevens (Ameriprise Financial).  Carl recognized Mara Gerke (Energy Wellness Products) and Heather Eichhorn Cruse (Eichhorn Jewelry) both of whom left the board at the end of 2011.  He then recognized new board members Dean Fuelling (First Merchants Bank) and Brad Logan (Decatur Business Mall).  He then introduced the other board members in attendance. Carl then formally passed the president’s gavel to incoming Chamber president, Ron Storey (Decatur Daily Democrat).  Ron presented Carl with a plaque honoring his service as president for two terms.

Carl also presented the President’s Award to Mara Gerke.  The President’s Award is given to an individual who has given outstanding service to the Chamber.  Mara served two terms as president, and two years as past president.  She also served as chairman of the nominating committee.

The Chamber is a not-for-profit Indiana corporation governed by a twenty member board of directors.  The directors are nominated by the membership and elected annually by the board.  The entire list of board members is found on page two of this issue.

The Board meets on the third Monday of the month, at noon, at the Chamber office.  A six member executive committee is authorized to act on behalf of the board between meetings.  The board employees two professional staff, who operate the Chamber on a day-to-day basis.