The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual Banquet Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Black River Coliseum, and honored Poplar Bluff citizens who have worked tirelessly toward the benefit of the community.
Each banquet brings speculation about the identity of the Chamber’s Citizen of the Year, its highest award. Kati Ray introduced the 2021 Citizen of the Year as a hardworking family man who stands out for his success in business and contributions to the community.
“He isn’t your typical suited businessman. He’d rather be working with his hands, shaking the hand of a customer or friend, welcoming newcomers to town or offering the guy on the street corner a job,” Ray said.
With that, she presented Larry Hillis, of the Larry Hillis Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat dealership, with the award.
“It’s amazing, it really is. I wasn’t expecting it by any means. It’s quite an honor,” Hillis said. “I just worked hard and tried to do the right thing.”
Chamber president Steve Halter said competition was stiff but in the end, the choice for Citizen of the Year was a clear one.
“He’s a great businessman who has invested a lot of capital into our community,” Halter said. Hillis has supported projects like the entry on the north side of the city and has employed hundreds of people through his dealership.
He added that Hillis’ generosity never came with the expectation of recognition, and “In my opinion, this award for him is long overdue.”
The 2021 Ambassador of the Year award went to Morgan McIntosh, director of Downtown Poplar Bluff, Inc. The organization is dedicated to restoring downtown Poplar Bluff by encouraging economic growth and historical preservation.
“Ambassadors are a vital part of the Chamber of Commerce team. They’re volunteers who serve as an extension of the chamber staff and board of directors. They assist with recruiting prospective members, monthly networking events, and play a supportive role in membership retention. Morgan was an obvious choice for us this year, as she has gone far above and beyond the call of duty this year,” said Jeannette Townsend, director of marketing and membership for the Poplar Bluff chamber.
The Chamber of Commerce also recognized graduates of its Gateway to Leadership program, which equips up-and-coming community and business leaders with knowledge of Poplar Bluff’s opportunities and challenges, and a network of other business owners and managers. The graduates are:
Amy Seegraves, Starting USA
Branden Smith, People’s Community Bank
Callie Welker, SoutheastHEALTH
Cindy Lou Morgan, Legacy Marketing
Jason Thurlow, Wil Fischer Distributing
Jonathon Breithaupt, U.S. Forest Service
Justin Parker, Mozark Realty
Justin Rines, Wil Fischer Distributing
Laurie Burkhead, Southern Bank
Levi McNeal, Bank of Missouri
Mandy Moore, Starting USA
Nicole Reese, Revere Plastics
Paul Jarrell, Smart Marketing
Sean Carlton, Holiday Inn
Terri McCormick, Boys & Girls Club of the Heartland
Outgoing members of the Board of Directors were also recognized. They were 2021 board chair Danielle Berry of Health Partners Management Group and Charles Dunlap of Revere Plastics. Berry welcomed incoming board members Zack Stricker of First Missouri State Bank and Megan Leist of Southern Bank.