The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce’s (BACC) Annual Meeting and Gala was held on Friday, Jan. 26, at the Batesville Community Center.
According to a release from the chamber, around 500 guests gathered to celebrate outstanding area businesses and individuals in their “Impact Era.”
“Our presenting sponsor, First Community Bank, and our event partners, Bad Boy Mowers, FARCO Construction, Hampton Inn, Peco Foods, the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, and White River Health, were thrilled to partner in hosting our largest Annual Meeting yet,” said BACC COO Jamie Rayford. “They have not only been supporters of our work, but they understand the importance of building community momentum through this annual gathering.”
BACC recognized outstanding area businesses and individuals in their “Impact Era” at its Annual Meeting and Gala. Among those recognized were: FARCO (Excellence in Business); Batesville School District’s Community Schools Model Team (Community Collaboration);Hampton Inn (Excellence in Customer Focus); Kevin Rose (Leader in Health Care); Citizens Bank’s Bank in a School Program (Leader in Education); Secondhand Swank (New Member of the Year); and Eva Henriksen of Merchant and Planter’s Bank (Chamber Ambassador of the Year).
FARCO (Excellence in Business)
Batesville School District’s Community Schools Model Team (Community Collaboration)
Kevin Rose (Leader in Health Care)
Citizens Bank’s Bank in a School Program (Leader in Education)
Secondhand Swank (New Member of the Year)
Eva Henriksen of Merchant and Planter’s Bank (Chamber Ambassador of the Year)
The 2023 Leadership Batesville Class (pictured above) also graduated from the nine-month program Friday night. Graduates include Mike Arnold (Precise), Dillon Carpenter (Bad Boy), Chelsey Dockins (Citizens Bank), Mollie Hill (Batesville School District), Jasmine Hilliard (Citizens Bank), Jimmy Hodges (Southside School District), Stacey Lindsey (Batesville School District), Kyle Martin (FARCO), Brandt McDonald (First Community Bank), Courteney Muse (Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce), Bradley Rodgers (FutureFuel Chemical Company), Racheal Roofe (Intimidator Group), John Scarbrough (City of Batesville), Joe Smith (First Community Bank), Donna Smith (City of Batesville), Jordan Strecker (White River Health), Elizabeth Taylor (University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville), Erik Vaughn (Bad Boy), and Chelsea Winemiller (ARcare).
The chamber celebrated the People of IMPACT, who are in a distinct era of leadership in our community and whose contributions are noteworthy to our community’s development. The People of Impact were recognized in distinct categories: Catalysts, Shapers, Trailblazers, Titans, and Icons.
Catalysts ignite positive change and inspire others to participate. Carlene Morrison, Amanda Roberts, and Judge Kevin Jeffery were recognized as Catalysts.
Shapers are steadfast in molding and influencing the positive development of our community. Those recognized included Carly Dahl, Dustyn Bork, Dr. Sam Cooke, Ashley Engles, Reneé Martin, and Pam Palermo.
Trailblazers strategically navigate and endure challenges to pursue a vision for a more prosperous future. Trailblazers include Amy Finster, Wiley Osborn, Dr. Rachel Baker, and Dr. Lesley Milton.
Titans are a powerful force that used their strengths, whether through voice, influence, or philanthropy, to uphold crucial causes and drive impactful initiatives. Those recognized as Titans include Micah Beard, Landon Downing, Robert Christian, Scott Lancaster, Boris Dover, Cathy Drew, Kyle Gaither, Stacy Gunderman, Gary Paxson, Jody Smotherman, and Kevin Rose.
Icons were recognized for a lifetime dedicated to civic leadership, demonstrating unparalleled involvement and bringing about historic transformations that have shaped and elevated the community. Those recognized as Icons include Thomas Bryant, Dale Cole, Mayor Rick Elumbaugh, Ted Hall, Dianne Lamberth, Jan Smith, and the Honorable Bill Walmsley.
Read the honorees’ full biographies at batesvillearea.com/chamber/people-of-impact.
Lover (featured image), a Taylor Swift tribute band from Dallas, Tex., provided entertainment for the evening with a full Eras Tour experience.
A release from the chamber said, “…attendees experienced an enchanted night filled with a diverse range of music, paying tribute to different eras of community leaders’ impact as we honored outstanding businesses and individuals who never go out of style and have significantly contributed to developing our economy, philanthropic endeavors, corporate stewardship, and civic engagement at the event.”
Images provided by the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce
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