McKenzie Chamber Presents Banquet, Community Awards

McKENZIE (June 25) — McKenzie Chamber of Commerce held its third annual banquet on Tuesday, June 25 at Bethel University’s cafeteria. The food was provided by the food service at Bethel.

Approximately 200 attended the event, the largest number to attend the annual banquets.

Monica Heath, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, served as emcee.

The annual awards were presented.

Businessperson of the Year was Drew Beeler, owner of Hometown Hangout and McKenzie Nutrition. Beeler serves on the McKenzie City Council and is a member of McKenzie Rotary Club.

Business of the Year was awarded to Hometown Health Clinic, which has two clinics in McKenzie and others through the area.

Nonprofit of the Year was presented to Overflow Church for its community service and outreach. It provides a free carnival each year for area residents to enjoy.

Chamber Champion was presented to Tessa Kyle, who has volunteered her time to the Chamber throughout the year. Tessa is the Business Development Consultant with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. She is a resident of Gleason.

Lifetime Achievement Award was present to Phil Williams, owner of Williams Furniture. Williams has operated a furniture store in McKenzie for 48 years. He is retiring this year and closing the downtown business. Besides operating the store, along with family members and other employees, he is a lay minister and the longest-serving mayor in Tennessee. He is the mayor of McLemoresville. His tenure as mayor began in 1977 following a four-year term as councilman, which began in 1973. He has served the citizens of McLemoresville for fifty-one years.

Russ Huffstetler, CEO and Co-Founder of Dynamix Physical Therapy was the featured speaker.

The leadership for the 2023-24 Chamber year were: Jan Latimer, chairman; Jason Martin, vice-chairman; Myra Carlock, secretary-treasurer. Board members were: Shawna Fowler, Drew Beeler, Will Record, Christy Williams; Jay Phipps, Josh Crawford, and Joel Washburn-Industrial Board representative.

Latimer, Phipps, and Crawford rolled off the board for the 2024-25 year.

Incoming board members are: Matt Aird, Ashley Horn and Madison Endres. Jason Martin is the new chairman.

Also honored during the night were four former members of the McKenzie Industrial Board. Former chairman Gary Simmons had 30 years of service; Keith Priestley had eight years; Matt Merrick had 12 years; and Randy Webb had eight years.

The new appointees to the Industrial Board are: Chuck Sisson, John Wright, Mark Anderson, Jr., and Craig Hobson.

McKenzie Industrial Board is the main sponsor for the McKenzie Chamber of Commerce.

Other major sponsors for the Chamber are Allegion, Centennial Bank, Cachengo, Haven Steel, McKenzie Valve and Machining, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County, Carroll Bank and Trust, City of McKenzie, Hometown Health Clinic, McKenzie Banking Company, and Stafford Real Estate.

The Chamber has 106 members.