2010 XACC Awards Dinner
Monday, March 01 2010 @ 08:57 AM EST
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By Elizabeth Studebaker, Feature Writer for the Xenia Daily Gazette
Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce “rolled out the red carpet” at the Schindler Banquet Center Saturday night to celebrate the Chamber partnerships and pay tribute to four of the “best of the best” among members and in the area business community. The occasion was the Chamber’s 61st Annual Awards Dinner.
Dr. James A. Smith, retired Xenia Community Schools superintendent, is the Chamber’s 60th F. M. Torrence Award honoree. This lifetime achievement award, named for the first president of the Chamber Board of Directors, has honored outstanding individuals within the Xenia area since 1951. The recipient must have participated in volunteer services and activities promoting the business, cultural, educational, religious and civic life of the greater Xenia area without motive of personal gain. Dr. Smith has earned the respect and admiration of the entire community. He has “worn many hats” of leadership in the school system, the Chamber and community. This year’s award sponsored by Dodds Monuments Inc. was presented by Tim Sontag, XACC Board Chairman.
Other honorees are Tim Sontag, who received the Robert G. Babb Award; Bradley T. Montgomery, S.L. Stephan Volunteer Services Award; and 3F Coaching, the Russ Remick Retail/Service Industries Award.
Alan Liming, CEO and XACC president, welcomed the nearly 300 guests and introduced the Annual Dinner Committee: Denise Davis, Diane Dixon, Sandra Feix, Ron Folkerth, Gregg McGuire, Laura McGuire, Chrissy Roundtree, and Sontag. Emcee Jim Harworth applied his talents as a stand-up comic, actor and artist to his task. The lifelong Xenian has been associated with Detroit Tire 35 years. Bob Elliott of Legacy Industries, Inc. gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
David Williamson, a native Greene Countian and 1979 graduate of Xenia High School, as the entertainment for the evening, proved why he is considered one of the world’s best magicians. Much to everyone’s delight, he involved audience members in his trickery. Audience members were transfixed as he performed sleight of hand tricks with cards, ropes, a $20 dollar bill and a lemon!
Proclamations were presented to each honoree by Heather Hagerman, representing U. S. Congressman Steve Austria; Ohio State Senate/Sen. Chris Widener; Ohio House of Representatives/State Rep. Jarrod Martin and State Rep. Bob Hackett; and Greene County Board of Commissioners/Comms. Alan Anderson, Rick Perales and Marilyn Reid; and City of Xenia Mayor Marsha Bayless.
Past Torrence Award winners present at the banquet were recognized and welcomed Dr. Smith to their group. They included Robert T. Montgomery (1977); Harry G. Johns (1982); Catherine J. LeSourd (1987); John A. Finlay (1991); Russell L. Remick (1992); Richard H. LeSourd, Jr. (1994); Elizabeth A. Studebaker (2001); Dr. R. David Warner (2003); and Brian G. Liming (2007).
A reception honoring this year’s award winners was hosted by the Xenia Area Young Professionals (XAYP) at the Holiday Inn Xenia following the awards dinner.
Sontag, the Babb Award recipient, is owner of Xenia Shoe & Leather. Presented by Steve Weeks, retiring XACC Board chairman, the Babb Award was sponsored by File Sharpening Company. The award is presented to the outstanding volunteer who has made the most significant contribution to the past chairman of the board during his tenure. Denise Davis accepted the Russ Remick Award in behalf of her company 3F Coaching. Sponsored by Ron Folkerth of Keller Williams Realty, the award was presented by Lynn West and Richard Little of TNC Behavioral Health Services (last year’s recipient). This award is presented in recognition of distinguished leadership in the retail-service industry and civic involvement. Stephan Award honoree Bradley T. Montgomery has grown a successful business, Montgomery Insurance & Investments, and has been an active member of the XACC for 25+ years. Traditionally, the Stephan award is presented to individuals who exemplify unselfish volunteerism in promoting the XACC and the Xenia community for at least two-years. The award, presented by XACC President/CEO Alan Liming, in the absence of last year’s recipient, was sponsored by CBIZ Accounting, Tax & Advisory of Central Ohio.
The success of the annual event can be attributed the financial support from these sponsors: Greene Memorial Hospital/Kettering Health Network, Title Sponsor; Bob Evans Farms, Central State University, Downtown Café, Hidy Family of Cars, Hillside Assisted Living, IHS Pharmacy & Wellness Center, Inc., Montgomery Insurance & Investments, and Reichley Insurance, Diamond Sponsors; Greene Foundation, Home Site Title Agency, LeSourd & Company Insurance Agency, Peter D. Stephan, Attorney, St. Brigid Catholic Church, Wichman, Newell & Stephan, Xenia Shoe & Leather and 3F Coaching, Platinum Sponsors; Alan Besco Cars & Trucks, H & R Block and DP&L Energy, Gold Sponsors; and Bush & Associates CPA, Cedarville University, The Flower Stop, Geyer’s Office Supply, Greene County College Success Partnership, Holiday Inn Xenia, PNC Bank, ScreenPlay Printing, St. Brigid Catholic School, and Wicklines Florist, Garden Center & Landscaping, Inc., Silver Sponsors.
Left photo - Comedian/juggler David Williamson doing 'magic' with Chrissy Roundtree
Middle photo - The Torrence Award winners attending the Annual Dinner, left to right; Brian Liming, Dr. David Warner, Russ Remick, Harry Johns, Robert Montgomery, James A. Smith, Elizabeth Studebaker, John Finlay, Catherine LeSourd, Richard LeSourd
Right photo - Our emcee for the evening Jim Harworth
Left Photo - Annual Dinner Committee, front row, left to right; Laura McGuire, Chrissy Roundtree, Denise Davis. Back row, left to right; Gregg McGuire, Diane Dixon, Ron Folkerth, Tim Sontag, Alan Liming
All photos courtesy of Sherri Mash Photography
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