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Awards

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Chamber of the YearAs an organization, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce has been recognized across the nation for its work and its impact in the community. Most recently, the Chamber was named the Number 1 Chamber in the nation by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE).

Here are just a few of the other awards the Chamber has received.

  • Top 10 rankings for net gain in partner accounts, partner dollars and partner retention, according to ACCE's national survey results
  • An ACCE Award for Communication Excellence for www.bgchamber.com, the 2007 Annual Report and the Kentucky Transpark brochure
  • Excellent Awards from the Southern Economic Development Council, Inc. for the South Central Kentucky Brochure and the Kentucky Transpark Brochure
  • Merit Awards from the Southern Economic Development Council for the South Central Kentucky Marketing Portfolio, the iPod® Touch Treasure Hunt and the Automotive Business Case
  • The Excellence Award for Best Website and the Excellence Award for Outstanding Membership Retention from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce regularly recognizes community leaders for their contributions to the betterment of the Chamber, Bowling Green and South Central Kentucky. Click the bullets below to learn more about these awards and their winners.

ATHENA Award

ATHENA Award
ATHENA Young Professional Award
Martin Management Group

Chambers of commerce, women's organizations and universities present ATHENA Awards to those who exemplify the ATHENA Leadership Model each year. The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce presents the award, sponsored by Martin Automotive Group, to a Bowling Green professional each fall.

2008 Amy Milliken 2007 Regina Webb
2006 Heather Rogers 2005 Kim Thomas
2004 Ann Jewell 2003 Regina Parsley-Byrd
2002 Mary Cohron 2001 Ann Puckett
2000 Pearl Taylor 1999 Robin Hunt
1998 Dr. Georgia Childress 1997 Sandy Jones
1996 Deborah Williams 1995 Dr. Lynn Chism
1994 Sarah Glenn Grise 1993 Nancy Dixon
1992 Joyce Wilson 1991 Vickie Elrod
1990 Doris Thomas 1989 Ann Elliott
1988 Peggy Loafman 1987 Betty Lovenstein
1986 Romanza Johnson    

 

ATHENA Young Professional Award

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce first presented the ATHENA Young Professional Award in March 2008.

The individual receiving this award is an emerging leader who demonstrates excellence, provides provides valuable service to their business or profession and to the community, exhibits initiative and creativity, serves as a role model for young women personally and professionally, and is a partner of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce or employed by a partner.

Winners of the ATHENA Young Professional Award are

2009 Laura Simpson Goodman 2008 Jana Sublett

 

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Bart Hagerman Leadership Award

The Bart Hagerman LeadershipAward is presented to a member of the graduating Leadership Bowling Green class each year. The award named for Bart Hagerman who served as the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce’s chamber executive from 1983 to 1986. Hagerman initiated the first leadership program for Chamber members in Kentucky while he worked as the assistant chamber executive at the Ashland (Ky.) Chamber of Commerce; that program became known as Leadership Ashland. He brought the program to Bowling Green when he accepted the chamber executive position, and he selected the first Leadership Bowling Green class in 1984.

2008 Jason Rose 2007 Debby Peeples
2006 Bryan Finkbone 2005 Lisa Dunn
2004 Jay Lawless 2003 Doug Eberhart
2002 Sue Parrigin 2001 Leslie Watkins
2000 Kim Thomas 1999 Jennifer L. Wethington
1998 J. Rick Bard, Jr. 1997 Robbin M. Taylor
1996 Steve K. Cline 1995 John G. Deeb
1994 Gary P. West 1993 Ginger A. Cleary
1992 H.B. Clark, Jr. 1991 Dr. Lynn Chism
1990 Gene C. Crume 1989 Thomas A. Donnelly
1988 W.M. Biff Kummer 1987 James C. Barnett
1986 Joe Jakub    

 

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Industry Of The Year

Each year the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes a local industry for its commitment and contributions to the community. The industries that receive the Industry of the Year award are civic-minded, make a significant impact on the area's economy, provide consistent and quality employment opportunities for citizens of the community, exhibit management principles and ethics that are reflected in total quality operations and product integrity, and show continued growth and corporate investment in the community.

2009 Berry Plastics Corporation 2008 Kobe Aluminum Automotive Parts, LLC
2007 NASCO (NHK of American Suspension Components, Inc.) 2006 Stupp Bridge Company
2005 RC Components 2004 Houchens Industries, Inc.
2003 Southern Foods, Inc. 2002 Huish Detergents, Inc.
2001 SCA Incontinence Care 2000 Bando Manufacturing
1999 Fort James Corporation 1998 Hagis Lemmerz International
1997 TRACE Die Cast 1996 NASCO (NHK of America Suspension Components, Inc.)
1995 Hill's Pet Nutrition 1994 Turner Industries II, Ltd.
1993 LORD Corporation 1992 Williamette Industries
1991 Country Oven Bakery 1990 General Motors Corvette Plant
1989 Eaton Corporation 1988 DESA International
1987 Fruit of the Loom 1986 Holly Automotive

 

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Small Business Person Of The Year

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes a Small Business Person of the Year during Small Business Appreciation Week every year. The recipient must be a Chamber partner, be associated with a for-profit company that employs 100 or fewer full-time employees, own and operate a small business in which the nominee’s own money is invested in the enterprise, have experienced recent business growth, and be involved in the development and growth of our community.

2009 Joe Davies 2008 Carl Chaney
2007 Jim Smith 2006 David Chandler
2005 Chris Thompson 2004 Tim Earnhart
2003 Janet Henderson 2002 Jim Johnson
2001 Steve Sheldon 2000 Doug Gorman
1999 Curtis Sullivan 1998 David A. Bradford
1997 G. Michael Murphy 1996 Joe Natcher, Jr.
1995 Al Baker 1994 David Wiseman
1993 Rick Kelley 1992 Harold Brantley
1991 Michael Buchanon 1990 William J. Jackson
1989 Cornelius Martin 1988 B.J. Booth
1987 Carroll Hildreth 1986 Sandy Jones
1985 Johnny D. Webb    

 

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Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
710 College Street | P.O. Box 51
Bowling Green, KY 42102
Phone 270.781.3200
Toll Free 866.330.2422
Fax 270.843.0458