Tag Archive for: #hvchamberbanquet

Edward Woodlief Named 2023 Citizen Of The Year At Chamber Banquet

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When you see Edward Woodlief out and about in the community, or see his name pop up on your phone screen, you can bet that: 1) he will greet you warmly and ask how you’re doing; 2) he will make you chuckle with a quip or witty observation; and 3) he’s got tickets to an upcoming fundraiser to share.

Whether it’s chicken plates, pork butts – with sauce! – or Vidalia onions, Woodlief usually has his eye on raising funds for one group or another.

He’s “that” person behind the scenes, quietly and effectively making things happen. But at Thursday’s Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce 86th annual meeting and banquet, Woodlief took center stage for a few moments to accept the 2023 Citizen of the Year award.

EDWARD WOODLIEF AND MARGIER WHITE, 2024 BOARD CHAIRPERSON

And then, N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon put Woodlief in the spotlight a second time to present him with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest state honor that a civilian can receive.

Woodlief said he started putting things together as 2022 Citizen of the Year recipient Jack Richardson began listing some details about this year’s awardee, including his work with his beloved Union Chapel Church, where is currently is the choir director and president of the men’s fellowship.

“Our citizen of the year was raised on a farm, where he learned that hard work is the key to getting things accomplished,” Richardson began. Woodlief has devoted himself to a variety of organizations through the years, including the Optimist Club, Kiwanis Club, American Legion Post 60, his church and the local Crime Stoppers.

“He’s a pillar of our community and we are so lucky to have him,” Richardson said in his remarks, adding that he is “so giving to friends, neighbors and strangers” alike.

A genuine example of a servant leader, Woodlief is someone who is happiest when he’s rolled up his sleeves to do good for those in need.

“I thank God for giving me a heart filled with love and compassion” for others, Woodlief said after receiving the award from Sossamon.

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At 80-something years “young,” Woodlief has outlived the Zeb Vance Ruritan Club, of which he was a member for four decades before it became inactive. But Woodlief continues one of the club’s service projects and single-handedly mows, weeds and tends the cemetery that the club had adopted.

And if you ever wondered how those flags “magically” appear on the graves of military veterans, well, it’s Woodlief.

“It’s been a pleasure,” Woodlief said as he accepted the award, which followed a warm, well-deserved round of applause.

He quickly mentioned all the others who work with him to make sure all these fundraisers and projects are successful – “We all work together to raise funds,” he said.

It comes as no surprise that Woodlief thanked his wife of 11 years, Velvet Satterwhite Woodlief, for being a faithful and supportive partner. WIZS listeners know that Velvet has been a weekend staple at the radio station for more than 20 years, from Country Grass on Saturday mornings, Choice Country Classics from 9 to noon and the Sunday afternoon Gospel Jamboree.

In his presentation, on behalf of Gov. Roy Cooper, Sossamon called Woodlief “a man of faith who loves Vance County.” His efforts come from his desire “to improve the quality of life to one and all,” he said.

“I think he was called,” Sossamon said, “to sell tickets.”

True to form, as the newest Citizen of the Year stood on the stage, he greeted the crowd, shared a light-hearted comment and then lowered the boom: There’s a chicken plate sale on Friday, Mar. 15. “All you have to do is see me afterwards.”

HENDERSON-VANCE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 86TH ANNUAL BANQUET ON THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2024

Jack Richardson 2022 Citizen of the Year; H-V Chamber Banquet

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Jack Richardson won 2022 Citizen of the Year honors at the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce membership meeting and banquet Thursday evening.

2021 Citizen of the Year Mark Hopper presented Richardson the award, noting the tremendous number of volunteer positions Richardson has held locally. He has been “an advocate for students and he has impacted so many lives,” Hopper said. Church, Area Christians Together in Service, the men’s homeless shelter were all described as areas Richardson has earned love and respect.

Hopper said Richardson has “been in every leadership role at his church (First Methodist) and he’s been on all the committees and has helped build handicap ramps and he’s done the live nativity scene of the church.”

He said Jack Richardson is “the epitome of what citizens should be doing to make our community better.”

Richardson was on stage as it began to sink in. He told WIZS afterwards, “I did not know.” He said, “It’s numbing almost.” He said he could not have dreamt this scenario.

Fifteen minutes earlier when he was on stage, he said it was very humbling. “I’m not sure I deserve this,” he said, but “I will gladly accept.” He said, “I enjoy working at the schools and the shelter and ACTS, and I’ve been doing these things for many years and I will hopefully be able to continue for many more. I thank you very much.”

L-R: H-V Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson; 2022 Citizen of the Year Jack Richardson; 2023 Chamber Board Chair Bert Long

Earlier in the evening, 2022 board chair Ronald Bennett provided a report to the 350 or so people in attendance, calling 2022 “A Year of Community.” Next, 2023 Chamber board chair Bert Long expanded on the present term as “A Year of Collaboration,” to the crowd inside the Vance-Granville Community College civic center.

Bennett said he saw 2022 as being about different “ships.” “Partnerships, relationships, friendships, friendships that last a lifetime,” he said.

Three hundred fifty members strong, Bennett said 2022 for the Chamber was “busy and quick.” He spoke of the strong financial position of the chamber and the staff. He said, “Most importantly we are strong because of you,” speaking about and directly to the member base. “We thank you for your support.”

Long, of HG Reynolds, spoke and said each chamber year has a theme. He spent some time pondering to help come up with this year’s theme, naming 2023 “A Year of Collaboration.”

The idea is to propel the business community forward, work together or cooperate.

Long said, “In the current environment, working together can go a long way. We need conflict, but hear me out. We need healthy conflict. We must have conversation and spend time to understand each other, and we can’t learn and grow without it.”

“How,” he asked. “It starts by listening. Sometimes business leadership is looked to for answers, but there also needs to be respect. Once we listen, we must respond in a respectful manner. The tone is important.”

Rather than saying “Yes, but…” Long said, “What if we could say ‘yes and.’”

That could make a difference because as Long noted, everyone has a unique perspective but may need to put themselves in the other person’s shoes because that person has also had defining experiences and perspective as well.

We must work at it, he said, and celebrate the success of others.

Long concluded, “Take some time to connect. Explore how you can collaborate. It could be with someone in this very room.”

H-V Chamber Logo

Highlights from the 80th Annual Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Banquet

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The 80th annual Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce banquet, presented by Duke Energy, was held Thursday, February 1 in the Civic Center of Vance-Granville Community College. Highlights included:

  • Kristen Boyd of Aycock Elementary School was recognized as Vance County Schools Principal of the Year.
  • Jacqueline Batchelor-Crosson of Pinkston Street and L.B. Yancey elementary schools was recognized as Assistant Principal of the Year.
  • Estelle Mang-gum of L.B. Yancey Elementary was recognized as Beginning Teacher of the Year.
  • Kedecia Stewart of Pinkston Street Elementary School was recognized as Vance County Schools’ Teacher of the Year.
  • Anthony Jackson, superintendent of Vance County Schools was recognized for being the recipient of the 2017 “Friday” Medal. This medal was awarded by the Friday Institute at N.C. State University for Educational Innovation in the North Carolina public school systems.
  • Stelfanie Williams, president of Vance-Granville Community College was recognized for being named the 2018 President of the Year by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges. She is the first VGCC president to receive this honor.

  • Pastor Abidan Shah and family and other church-family members

    This year’s Shining Moment Award recipient was Clearview Baptist Church. This award recognizes the most outstanding business, organization, church, civic or community group for the support of Vance County schools. Pastor Abidan Shah accepted the award on behalf of the church.

  • Past chairs, past presidents, elected Board of Directors, Ex-Officio Board of Directors, board officers, outgoing board members and chamber ambassadors stood and were recognized for their contributions.
  • Pam Norwood, of Magnolia Management, was presented with the 2017 Chamber Ambassador of the year award.
  • Duke Energy was recognized as the presenting sponsor. The gold, silver, bronze, contributing and advocate sponsors were also recognized.
  • Members of the Chamber Pinnacle Program, past citizens of the year, past Leadership Vance participants, chamber staff and special guests were recognized.
  • Henderson and Vance County first responders and veterans were recognized.

    Mel Manning and Susan Rogers

  • 2018 Board Chair Mel Manning presented 2017 Board Chair Susan Rogers with a plaque in recognition for her service to the community and shared his vision for the chamber for 2018.
  • Joe Dittmar, a survivor of the World Trade Center collapse on September 11, 2001, was introduced by Chamber President John Barnes as the keynote speaker. Dittmar spoke on his experiences that day and on the importance of sound decision-making skills.
  • Pete O’Geary, the 2016 Citizen of the Year, presented the 2017 Citizen of the Year award to Thomas “Tommy” Hester, Jr. Tommy’s various achievements and contributions to Henderson and Vance County were announced and his family joined him on stage to receive his honor.
  • Door prizes donated by Franklin Brothers Nursery and Greenhouses, MARS Petcare, Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, Schewels Furniture Company and W.W. Properties were awarded to lucky recipients.

 

Thomas “Tommy” Hester, Jr. Named 2017 Citizen of the Year

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By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer for Hire

Thomas Hester, Jr., lifelong Henderson native, Vance County Commissioner and local businessman, was named Citizen of the Year at the 80th annual Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce Banquet held in the Civic Center of Vance-Granville Community College on Feb 1.

The 2016 Citizen of the Year recipient Pete O’Geary presented the prestigious award, which honors an individual who has made a positive impact for the betterment of the community through personal involvement and contribution. “The Citizen of the Year Award is very special. The honor is earned by an individual who has made a significant contribution and demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of Henderson and Vance County,” said O’Geary.

An anonymous committee selects the honored citizen and the name of the recipient is closely guarded until announced at the chamber banquet.

Prior to announcing the name of the 2017 recipient, O’Geary gave a brief background of Hester’s life and service to his community. “As a product of our Vance County Schools, our recipient was very well-prepared for higher education. Driven by an instinctive passion for success and never satisfied with average, our recipient enlisted and successfully completed training in the Army Officer Candidate School. A love of country that was nurtured and fortified through upbringing, education and training, formed the foundation for a lifetime of civil service and a passion for giving-back to his beloved Vance County community,” said O’Geary.

O’Geary continued by listing several of Hester’s community achievements including:

  • Chairman of the Henderson Heart Fund Drive
  • Committee Chair of the Henderson Cancer Drive
  • Supporter of the Vance County Relay for Life
  • Chairman of the United Way Campaign
  • Member of the United Way’s Board of Directors
  • Advocate for the construction of the H Leslie Perry Memorial Library and Embassy Cultural Center Foundation
  • President of the Henderson Rotary Club
  • President of the KERR-TAR Council of Regional Government
  • District Chairperson of the Henderson-Vance Boy Scouts of America Fundraiser
  • President of the Henderson RBC Centura Bank Board of Advisors and Trustees
  • Board Director of the Vance County Public School Foundation

“Coupled with vast community involvement endeavors, our recipient is an influential change-agent for the advancement of economic development in Vance County and rural North Carolina. Some significant accomplishments involve the powerful use of relationship-building skills, which brought Mako Medical Services to Henderson; coordinating efforts that motivated the MR Williams, MARS Pet Food, and ProfiiForm corporations to expand their operations in Henderson and Vance County; and, relationship-building talents that helped attract 3HC Home Health and Hospice Care to Henderson,” O’Geary said of Hester.

Hester has also led the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Committee as its elected Board Chair and served on the North Carolina Golden Leaf Board of Directors and North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority. He was also recognized with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian award.

O’Geary concluded his speech by stating that the 2017 recipient “has selflessly given of his time, talent and treasure to make Henderson and Vance County a better place. Please join me in congratulating our Chamber of Commerce 2017 Citizen of the Year recipient, Tommy Hester.”

A visibly touched Hester and wife Jenny took the stage surrounded by their two children, family members and guests. “I’m caught without words, and that’s hard for a politician,” said Hester. Hester thanked his wife, his children and his long-time assistant for their support.

Hester also told the crowd that he feels the community has really moved into the 21st century and sees great things for the future. “John F. Kennedy said ‘ask not what your country can do for, ask what you can do for your country.’ I think we can paraphrase that to say ask not what your community can do for you, ask what you can do for your community,” said Hester.

John Barnes, president of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce concluded the presentation by saying, “Tommy, your contributions to make Henderson and Vance County a better place to live, work and play are equaled by few others. The membership of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize you as our 2017 Citizen of the Year.”

 

 

H-V Chamber Logo

H-V Chamber Banquet Feb. 1, 2018

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Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership Meeting and Banquet
February 1, 2018

Speaker: Joseph Dittmar, Sr
World Trade Center Survivor/Always Remember Initiative

Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center
Dinner will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets:
$35 per person; Reserved Tables of 10 are $320

Contact Melanie Mann for information or to purchase tickets info@henderesonvance.org

Presenting Sponsor: Duke Energy

Silver Sponsors: BB&T, MARS Petcare, Wake Electric Membership Cooperation, Walmart DC #6091

Bronze Sponsors: Express Employment Professionals, J.M. White Funeral Service

Contributing Sponsor: Vance County Economic Development Commission

If you are interested in being a sponsor, contact Jay Andrews, Director of Membership at jay@hendersonvance.org