Awards
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As 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 Young Professional Award
- Bart Hagerman Leadership Award
- Industry of the Year Award
- Small Business Person of the Year Award
ATHENA Award
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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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
