Award Winner Archive

Each year, the Marion Chamber of Commerce holds its Auction & Awards Banquet. During the well-attended, formal event, awards are given to individuals, businesses and industries who have inspired us in a major way. To nominate an individual, please visit this link or call or visit the Marion Chamber of Commerce office to receive the nomination form.

Guidelines

  • Distinguished Business: Recognizes a business that has given significant service to the Marion Chamber of Commerce and its mission. The recipient of this award must be a member business of the Marion Chamber of Commerce.
  • Distinguished Member: Recognizes a Chamber member who has given significant service to the Marion Chamber of Commerce and its mission. This person demonstrates personal and professional leadership in the community.
  • Citizen of the Year: Recognizes an individual who has shown significant contribution to our community and who has excelled in a field outside of the Chamber.
  • Young Professional Leadership: An individual who demonstrates excellence and initiative in their business or profession and is under the age of 40.
  • Lifetime Achievement: An individual who has demonstrated dedication and achievement in their chosen profession for thirty (30) years or more.

PAST WINNERS

Mayor’s Service Award

1996 – Elflora Aikman
1997 – Robert Bradley
1998 – Aileen Motsinger
1999 – Garry Allen
2000 – Marless Doughty
2001 – Suzanne McAlpin
2002 – Yolonde Peterson
2003 – LC & Marlyn Cavaness
2004 – Louetta M. Butler
2005 – Ivan & Wanda Zwick
2006 – Charlie Prater
2007 – Tickie Miller
2008 – VFW/American Legion Ritual Team
2009 – Bernard Paul
2010 – Ed Davis
2011 – Claire Travelstead Giles
2012 – Glenn Clarida
2013 – Dr. Beth Butler
2014 – Doug Bradley & Lynn Holmes
2015 – John Goss
​2016 – Clarence Bagby Jr.
2017 – Mike Pinto
2018 – Harry Boyd
2019 – Rev. Larry & Lady Tryphosia Lee; David & Peggy Maragni
2020 – Marion United
2021 – Healthcare Heroes of Heartland
2022 – Tom Logan
2023 – Sam Lattuca
2024 – Marion Connects
2025 – Freedom Sings/Heroes United and MHS Building Trades Program

 

Lifetime Achievement

1985 – August L. Fowler
1986 – Dr. Alonzo Baker

  • Virgil Bowman

​1987 – Paul Houghton
1988 – Cliff Storme
1990 – Raymond Allen

  • Dr. R.D. Morgan

​1991 – Les Stilley

  • ​George Dodds
  • Charles Winters

​1992 – Loren Carter

  • ​Harold Chase
  • Kenny Powless

​1993 – Herman Bearden​

  • Ray Reynolds

​1994 – Cleta Whitacre
1995 – Sam Stotlar

  • Evelyn Patterson

​1996 – Orval Leukering

  • ​Dr. Joe McAlpin, DDS

​1997 – Ron and Mabel Albright

  • ​Wilson Giles

1998 – Mason Absher

  • Bob Bradley
  • William Novick

​1999 – Gordon Lambert

  • ​Charles Monroe
  • Raymond McCormick

​2000 – Dennis “Dutch” Doelitzsch

  • Dr. John Kaeser

2001 – Captain Robert W. Duncan
2002 – Gene Norman
2003 – Mayor Robert L. Butler
2004 – Ray Hancock
2005 – Tom Oates

  • ​Jim Parker
  • Bob Campbell

​2006 – John Goss

  • ​Earl Parks
  • Guy “Pete” Peterson

​2007 – James B. Bleyer

  • ​Glenn Clarida
  • Father Richard Mohr

​2008 – Charlie Miller

  • ​Dr. M.T. Joseph

​2009 – Don Bett

  • ​Curtis Palmer
  • J. David Thompson

​2010 – George Sheppard

  • ​Gene Watson

​2011 – L.C. Cavaness

  • ​Walter Nieds, Jr.
  • Robert L. Mees

​2012 – Henry Mitchell
2013 – Ike Eigenrauch
2014 – Bernie Paul
2015 – Dr. John O’Keefe
2016:

  • Ray Altmix
  • Bill Nielsen

2017:

  • Admiral Nancy Brown
  • Fred Monroe

2018:

  • Jim & Linda Byassee
  • Cathy Moehring

2019:

  • Keith Dickens
  • Vicki Griffin
  • Scott Murrie

2020:

  • Joe & Toni Hayes
  • Tom Logan

2021

  • John Markley
  • Hill Printing

2022

  • Kathy Lively
  • Wayland Sims

2023

  • Harry L Crisp II
  • Vernell Sellars

2024

  • Glenn Clarida
  • Cindy Gibbons

2025

  • Hayden Gardiner
  • Fellowship Lodge #89
  • Deborah Hogg

 

Citizen of the Year

1970 – Clara Boatright
1971 – Florence McDonald
1972 – Powell Barnett
1973 – Citizens of Marion
1974 – Thomas J. Redickas
1975 – Leroy Anderson
1976 – Rudolph Noleen
1977 – Harrel Lerch
1978 – Robert H. Campbell
1979 – Women of Achievement

  • Marie Schafale
  • Yolonde Peterson
  • Jewell Grimes
  • Cleta Whitacre
  • Emma Lou Garrison
  • Belle Elizabeth
  • Helen Longbons

​1980 – Dr. Joseph McAlpin
1981 – Bob Bradley
1982 – Lu Queen
1983 – Mr. & Mrs. Ed Soldner
1984 – Women of Achievement

  • Ella Mae Allen
  • Suzanne McAlpin
  • Elizabeth Noleen
  • Elileen Rea
  • Lillian Zoller

​1985 – Otilia Lynch
1986 – Harold “Boots” Biggs
1987 – Rev. Joseph Van Roekel
1988 – L.C. Cavaness
1989 – Women of Achievement

  • Kathleen Pape
  • Elsie White
  • Ann Knewitz
  • Ida Welborn
  • Betty Boatright​

1990 – Glenn Clarida
1991 – Tom Logan
1992 – George Sims
1993 – Dr. John Kaeser
1994 – Dorothy Chamness
1995 – Ernie Rinella
1996 – Rev. Shirley and Dorena Milner
1997 – Marilyn Cavaness
1998 – Linda Byassee
1999 – J. Lawrence Sanders
2000 – Rosemary Crisp
2001 – Sarah Bethel
2002 – James & Marless Doughty
2003 – Marion City Council

  • Robert “Dog” Connell
  • Jimmy Stewart
  • Gary Turnbull
  • Bob Boyt

​2004 – Roberta Blankenship
2005 – Citizens of Marion – Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts
2006 – Dr. Jack Keller
2007 – Marjorie Wright
2008 – Elaine Melby
2009 – Citizens of Williamson County – May 8th Storm Efforts
2010 – “STAR” Award

  • State Representative John Bradley
  • STAR Bond Developer Bruce Holland

2012 – Doug Peebles
2013 – Jon Cavaness
2014 – Gail West
2015 – Mike Absher
​2016 – Dave Clark
2017 – Beau Detrick
2018 – John Holst
2019 – Megan Jones-Zeller
2020 – Amanda Throgmorton
2021 – Jeremy Pinkston
2022 – Kerry Martin
2023 – Dale Fowler
2024 – Aur Beck
2025 – Jessica Farmer

Additional awards

Star Award

2010 – Millennium Project – In recognition of efforts and forward thinking of the developer, business community and public officials

Award of Excellence

1994 – Leo Dingrando – Award of Excellence in Service to Youth
1996 – Gene Lang – Award of Excellence in Service to Youth and Community
1997 – Dorothy Brush – Award of Excellence for Outstanding Service to The Greater Marion Area Chamber of Commerce and Community
2000 – Judy Broemmel and Harlean Kay Miller – Award of Excellence in Service to Health Care
2002 – Ron Seal – Award of Excellence in Service to the Regional Medical Community
2004 – Yolonde Peterson
2007 – Seiichi “Steve” Takahashi – Award of Excellence in Service to the Industrial/Manufacturing Community
For a most significant and unselfish contribution to the betterment of our community
2014 – Doug Peebles & Dr. James Parker – Award of Excellence in Service to Marion High School Grad Spree
2015 – the late Steve McNeill – Award of Excellence in Philanthropy
2016 – Jesse Barge – Award of Excellence in Golf
2017 – Mayor Robert L. Butler – Award of Excellence in service as Mayor to Marion
2018 – Rick Richert and Thanet Natisri
2019 – Volunteers of Veterans Flight of Southern Illinois
2020 – Laborers’ Local Union 773, Shaun Vincelette, and Karen Mullins
2021 – Cornerstone Church & Southern Illinois Miners
2022 – Marilyn Jones Strizel
2023 – Southern Illinois Chili Cookoff & Patricia Odum
2024 – Jon Wofford & Connect 360
2025 – Jennifer Mick and Steve Miller

 

Distinguished Business

2018 – Golden Eagle Distributing, LLC
2019 – Anderson Warehouse Furniture
2020 – Fowler Heating & Cooling
2021 – Pepsi MidAmerica
2022 – The Pavilion
2023 – SIU Credit Union
2024 – Interstate Tire Pros Auto Service
2025 – James Arthur Design Company

Young Professional Leader Award

2010 – Meredith Ashe
2011 – Tiffanny Sievers
2013 – Steve Lunn
2014 – Tim Arseneau
​2015 – Matt Monchino
​2016:

  • Toni Perkins
  • Erica Pancoast

​2017 – Ashlee Church
2018 – Cam McCurdy
2019 – Tyler Young
2020 – Dalus Downs
2021 – Maci McCurdy
2022 – Laura Chairez
2023 – Rachel Stroud
2024 – Cody Moake
2025 – Bailey Lowes

Distinguished Chamber Member

1959 – Dr. James Felts
1960 – Oscar Schafale
1961 – Dr. Martin May
1962 – Gene Cox
1963 – Oldham Paisley
1964 – J. “Pat” Malone
1965 – James W. Sanders
1966 – Orland Stanley
1967 – William S. Giles
1968 – W. Everett Lynch
1969 – Harry L. Crisp
1970 – Harold Chase
1971 – Melvin Felts
1972 – Harry W. Beneke
1973 – Honorable Robert L. Butler, Mayor of Marion
1974 – Jesse W. Childers
1975 – Olie L. Musgrave
1976 – James Redden
1977 – Homer M. Butler
1978 – Bill Bowlby
1979 – Women of Achievement
1980 – Larry Hughes
1981 – Harry L. Crisp II
1982 – Loren Carter
1983 – Ervin N. Baker
1984 – Women of Achievement
1985 – Carl Goodwin
1986 – Mary Lou Roberts
1987 – J. David Thompson
1988 – Dutch Doelitzsch
1989 – Women of Achievement
1990 – Ben Bruce
1991 – Mike Malone

*This Award was “Man of the Year” from 1959 to 1992. In 1992 is was renamed and called “Distinguished Member”.

1992 – Dorothea Hill-Hope
1993 – Dodie Logan
1994 – James Doughty
1995 – Pat Wiese
1996 – Dave Thompson
1997 – Stephen R. Coale
1998 – Charolette Russell
1999 – Jim Brandt
2000 – Cindy Gibbons
2001 – Don Bett
2002 – Hayden Gardiner
2003 – Bill Nielsen
2004 – Mary Jo McCurdy
2005 – Bank of Marion – Ray Altmix
​Marion Ford – Don Fisher
​2006 – Darren Pulley – John A. Logan Center for Business & Industry
2007 – John & Lynn Hill – Bennie’s Italian Foods
2008 – Gail Lannom – Extra Help Payroll Services
2009 – Steve Lappin – Banterra Bank
2010 – Heartland Regional Medical Center
2011 – Banterra Bank
2012 – Brian Ziegler
2013 – Deborah Hogg
2014 – Kimberly Walker
2015 – Tracey Glenn
2016 – Amber Ciochetto
​2017 – Mindy Reid
2018 – Ashley Gott
2019 – Jared Garrison
2020 – Brian McHugh
2021 – Janet Jensen
2022 – Matt Carnaghi
2023 – Jeff Mayer
2024 – Melise Oakley
2025 – Michael ‘Cru’ Rounsaville

Business/Industry of the Year

1963 GTE (General Telephone)
1964 CIPS (Central Illinois Public Service)
1965 Giles Electric
1966 Area Appreciation
1968 GTE
1969 Fabick Machinery
1970 Marion Pepsi Cola Bottling
1971 Marion Daily Republican
1973 USP – Marion (Federal Prison)
1975 Williamson County Airport Authority
1976 Women’s Auxiliary – Marion Memorial Hospital
1977 Olin Corporation
1978 Past Presidents
1979 Real Estate
1980 Women of Achievement
1981 Coal Industry
1982 Small Business
1983 WDDD
1984 V.A. Medical Center
1985 Women of Achievement
1986 Blue Cross/Blue Shield
1987 Financial Institutions
1988 Pennzoil Products
1989 Community School District #2
1990 John A. Logan College
1991 Marion New Car Dealers

  • E. N. Baker Cadillac / Chevrolet
  • Marion Ford
  • Marion Toyota
  • Absher Automotive Center
  • Foley-Sweitzer Motors

1992 – Rail Transportation

  • Crab Orchard & Egyptian Railroad
  • Union Pacific
  • Burlington Northern
  • Transload of Illinois

1993 – Perma Treat1994

  • Marion Memorial

1995 – UPS (United Parcel Service)
1996 – Cree Development (Henry Mitchell)
1997 – Excel Mining Systems
1998 – Timberline Fisheries, Inc.
1999 – Wisconsin Physicians Services
2000 – Circuit City
2001 – Marion Pepsi Cola Bottling Company
2002 – Aisin Manufacturing Illinois, LLC
2003 – Franklin – Williamson Human Services, Inc.
2004 – Southern Pride
2005 – Heartland Regional Medical Center
2006 – Southern Illinois Power Cooperative
2007 – Southern Illinois Miners Baseball Organization
2008 – Marion Heights, LLC – “The Hill Development Corp”
2009 – Black Diamond Hartley-Davidson
2010 – Green Grass Group (Kokopelli Golf Club)
2011 – Extra Help, Inc.
2012 – TCT Network Television
2013 – Diagraph, MSP
2014 – AISIN Light Metals
2015 – Ike Family Dealerships
2016 – Hospice of Southern Illinois
2017 – Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois
2018 – Marion Park District
2019 – Marion Chamber of Commerce
2020 – COVID 19 First Responders
2021 – visitSI
2022 – Local Educators