By MARY BAILEY The Reporter

The Boaz Chamber of Commerce held its 2024 banquet last week and recognized individuals and business owners who have helped to make the city of Boaz prosper.

Kerry Mitchell gave the welcome and introductions to all guests of the banquet while a three-course meal was served.

Award Recipients:

2024 Volunteer of the Year: Will Brumbeloe

2024 Small Business of the Year: Don Julio – Julio and Nolesha Baeza

2024 Teacher of the Year: Rosa Roberts

2024 Emerging Business of the Year: State Farm – Kim Lee-Hammett

2024 Industry of the Year: Parallel33

2024 Parson Pride Award: Senator Clay Scofield

2024 Citizens of the Year: Dr. Joe Whitmore and wife, Janet Whitmore

2024 Business of the Year: Morgan House Delicatessen – Tiffany English

Each winner humbly spoke about the leadership and faith the City of Boaz has shown them as they were awarded their plaques.

“I wouldn’t be here today without you. All the ambassadors, y’all are my team. Y’all have been so supportive of me. You know, the word volunteer is self-sacrificing time for others. You don’t make volunteering hard, just because I get to see y’all at all the events. I consider y’all friends and and I consider y’all family. That’s where the deep roots of Boaz stand firm. Stands firm in the Lord and also stands firm in each other, the fellowship and also the family,” said Brumbeloe, winner of the Volunteer of the Year award.

Julio and Nolesha Baeza, winners of the Small Business of the Year for Don Julio restaurant, were very appreciative to have won their award.

“We appreciate the opportunity to be part of the banquet this year. Thank you to Ms. Jill for supporting us since we have came to Boaz. She has always been there and been attentive to our needs and giving us opportunities to get involved with the community.”

Teacher of the Year winner, Rosa Roberts of Boaz High School, held back tears during her acceptance speech.

“I’m telling you, all educators, from bus drivers to the teachers to the admin all the way to the central office we all play a big part in changing students lives. First, I want to give all honor and glory to God. Without him I would not be able to be here. Second, I would like to thank my family for always being there, they are my rock and my biggest fans. This award really belongs to all the students I serve and have served in the past. To my husband Fred, for being a sound board for me during the ups and downs.”

Kim Lee-Hammett, winner of Emerging Business of the Year, says she appreciates being welcomed to the community of Boaz.

“This is definitely a shock for us, but we are just so proud to be a part of the community. I feel like I have been here for so long. Although I didn’t grow up in Boaz, I feel like I did though. I have so many friends here that I know I could call if I needed to. You just don’t understand what you have here. It is truly amazing, you have a heart, you have a Godly worship in this town, and everyone just really wants the community to be the best it can be and we are so proud to be a part of it.”

Industry of the Year winner, Parallel33, says they are amazed to see how the City of Boaz truly works together.

“From the Mayor’s Office, to the City Council, to the college, the communities and then you have our Chamber of Commerce that ties everything in together. She keeps us active in our communities and we want to be active in our communities.”

Senator Clay Scofield, winner of the Parson Pride Award, was emotional after being presented the award by his good friend, Dr. Joe Whitmore, President of Snead State Community College.

“This is the first time I can’t get words out. Thank y’all for allowing me to serve you. It has been an absolute honor serving amazing people. Y’all made it easy. My family is here, and they can tell you, if you do it right, service is sacrifice. Sacrifice a lot of time and your business will eventually decline and you don’t see your family as much and you miss a lot of opportunities. But you all made it worth it. Seeing projects like the Workforce Center and the lights on the field, things I was able to be a part of because you allowed me to. I hope we can make a better future for the next generation and that’s what we focused on every single day for over 13 years. Helping Snead was easy and helping Snead made sense. But no organization would be exceptional without exceptional leadership and President Joe Whitmore is a phenomenal leader and a visionary.”

The next award was presented to Dr. Joe Whitmore and his wife, Janet, who were named the Citizens of the Year for the City of Boaz.

“First of all, thank you so much, for accepting us and allowing us to become part of your family. Boaz, as so many have said already, it’s not just a city where people come and go, it’s a place where people call home. You have allowed us to become part of your family, and we have been able to make this our home,” said Janet Whitmore of their award.

“Nothing I do or accomplish or nothing I am would be possible without this lady. I never would have thought when my mom used to drag me here to the outlets when I was a kid that I would be standing here with this type of opportunity. I believe in divine intervention; I don’t believe it was by accident that I came for a job interview here in Boaz said,” Dr. Whitmore. “It’s an honor to be here and we appreciate all the city has helped us be a part of.”

Tiffany English, Business of the Year winner for Morgan House Delicatessen, spoke of her dream that has been able to come to pass with her restaurant.

“I want to first and foremost thank my family. I put a lot of things on the backburner and I know I was tired so many more times than I have ever been in my life. It has been a long, long year and I never thought his would be possible. But this is what I prayed for. I cried out for it. A very important lesson, please be careful what you pray for because you may never sleep again.”

The evening also included highlights from the Chamber of Commerce, showing growth in membership and events.

Boaz Chamber of Commerce Statistics for 2023:

357 members

19 new members

2,289 swag bags

4,365 in-office visitors

399 email subscribers

13 ribbon cuttings

3,886 phone calls

20,000 website visits

39 calendar events

16 sponsored events

Boaz Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors recognized:

Sandra Smith, Renae Mosley, Pam Osborn, Will Brumbeloe, Sharon Roesner, Hannah Hanson, Angie Johnson, Rachel Hicks, Chayah Hodge, Gary Chumley, Calab Tarvin, Dawn Lackey Horton and Lori Rucks Smith.