The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet tonight with a full house at the Brownwood Coliseum.  The audience heard remarks from outgoing Chamber President Cory Howard, of Bruner Auto Group, and incoming President Dustin Larremore, of Farmers Insurance.  Larremore announced the hiring of a new Executive Director, Nathan Smith, who will begin his duties at the Chamber on July 14.

The highlight of the banquet every year is the announcing of annual awards.  They are as follows:

Ambassador of the Year

This award goes to the leading member of the Chamber Ambassadors group.  This year’s award went to Vikki Firth.  She has spent countless hours helping Chamber functions such as the Business Expo, Annual Banquet, Corks and Caps, Christmas Under the Stars, Professional Women’s Summit, monthly luncheons, and ribbon cuttings.

Stuart Coleman “Good Neighbor” Award

This award goes to unsung heroes in our community who volunteer his or her time and talents to make Brownwood an outstanding place to live through service, community, charitable, church, or other organizations.  This year has three recipients.

Tara Newton.  Graduate of Brownwood High School, attended TSTC where she graduated as an EMT-paramedic.  Since then she has served Brown and Coleman county EMS.  In addition she has volunteered and donated to Relay for Life and the Ronald McDonald house for many years.

Carol Jarvis Deal.  After spending 30 years with State Farm Insurance, Deal retired and began her second career as a full-time volunteer.  She has volunteered her time with her church, Southside Baptist, as well as with the Central Texas Pregnancy Care Center, Good Samaritan Ministries, the Salvation Army, and Court Appointed Special Advocates.

Travis Curry.  A native of Brownwood, Curry received his CNA license and worked in the medical field for eight years.  He later attended Ranger College and received his cosmetology license, and has practiced in that field for 25 years.  He is Vice President of the Brownwood Arts Council and Vice President of the Corrine T. Smith Animal Center Board.  He currently serves on the Brown County Child Welfare Board and volunteers with the Salvation Army.  Earlier this year he served as director of the Cinco de Mayo event in downtown Brownwood.

Small Business of the Year

Intermission Book Shop.  Intermission is located in downtown Brownwood, in a renovated building that housed the Queen Theater in the 1940’s.  The book shop opened in August 2020 and features new books and gently used books.  Intermission supports local organizations and uses social media to engage a new generation of readers.

Medium Business of the Year

Hill Country Home Care.  Hill Country opened their doors in 2018 and is now licensed in eleven counties.  Their services include sitter/companion services, light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders, laundry, running errands, pet care, transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, bathing, dressing, grooming, and hygiene care.

Large Business of the Year

Performance Pipe.  Formerly known as Phillips Driscopipe, it has been in operation in Brownwood for 59 years and has 70 employees.  They produce polyethylene pipe in sizes 2-inches through 54-inches, and ship their product all across the country and internationally.  In Christmas of 2020, the Brownwood Performance Pipe plant helped give presents to children in kinship placement homes. 

Community Partner of the Year

Howard Payne University.  HPU was founded in Brownwood in 1889.  Today students at HPU can choose from more than 100 majors, minors, and pre-professional programs in seven schools:  Business, Christian Studies, Education, Humanities, Music and Fine Arts, Nursing, and Science and Mathematics.  Over 17,000 students have graduated from Howard Payne University since 1889.  Howard Payne University is committed to the Brown County community, striving to be a good neighbor to the citizens and local businesses of the county.

Volunteer of the Year

Lindy Mason.  Mason moved to Brownwood in 2012 with her husband and five children.  She has given countless volunteer hours with the Chamber, The Ark, Center for Life Resources, Kiwanis Club, and the Brown County Child Welfare Board.

Professional of the Year

Sunni Modawell.  Modawell is a native of Brown County, a graduate of Early High School, and a former student at Howard Payne and Tarleton State University.  For the past 14  years she has worked for the Brownwood Are Chamber of Commerce, the last three as Executive Director, retiring in June of this year.  Under her leadership Chamber membership reached a record number of 575, and the Total Resource Campaign this year raised $157,000, also a record.  In addition to her service at the Chamber, Modawell has served on the board for the Parks and Recreation Department, the Lehnis Railroad Museum, Keep Brownwood Beautiful, the Texas Forts Trail Board, and the Penatuhkah Comanche Indian Trail steering committee.

Woman of the Year

Nancy Kay Bishop King.  King is a 1963 graduate of Brownwood High School and a 1972 graduate of Howard Payne University.  She also earned a Masters degree in Education from Tarleton State University.  King spent 27 years in public education, serving in the head start program, elementary education, special education, and as an educational diagnostician.  After retiring from public education, King worked with the Girl Scouts, Latch Key, and the Boys and Girls Club.  She also volunteered with vacation bible school and the Red Cross swim program. 

Man of the Year

Larry Mathis.  A native of Andrews, Texas, Mathis moved to Brownwood in 1974 and taught drama, speech, and debate for over 30 years.  In his career in Brownwood his students brought home more than 2,000 medals and trophies, and won over 100 Sweepstakes trophies.  He was also the public address announcer at Gordon Wood Stadium for 25 years.  After retiring from teaching, Mathis got involved with the Lyric Theatre, directing 15 plays, acting in six, and designed sets for most Lyric productions.  He also volunteered for The Ark, served on the Boards of the Gordon Wood Hall of Champions and the Brownwood Education Foundation.  Mathis also served on the Brownwood City Council for more than two terms. 

Groner Pitts “Lifetime of Service” Award

Awarded posthumously to Dr. Dale Wheelis.  Wheelis was a graduate of Brownwood High School and the University of Texas School of Dentistry.  He practiced dentistry in Brownwood for over 30 years, retiring in 2007.  Wheelis was President of the Friends of the Library in 1971-72.  He served on the Brownwood ISD Board of Trustees 1977-82.  He was named Outstanding Man of the Year by the Chamber in 2001.  Wheelis volunteered with the Pecan Valley Arts Festival and the Stars of Texas Art Exhibit for 22 years.  Wheelis was instrumental in the renovation and operation of the Lyric Theatre.  As Vice President in charge of facilities he oversaw the renovation of the theatre into a modern performing arts facility.  He also served on the Lyric Board for many years.  Wheelis was a long-time member of the Brownwood Rotary Club, serving as President more than once.  Wheelis also volunteered with Good Samaritan Ministries and Brown County Home Solutions.