Each year at the Chamber’s Annual Gala, recognition is given to Chamber members who have donated much time and energy for the greater good of the Chamber and the community. These members attend as many events as possible, are always available when needed and include the Chamber as a part of their lives on a frequent basis.
• The 2017 Mentor of the Year award goes to Jeffrey Williams with Heritage Companies. His larger than life personality is part of what makes Jeffrey a great mentor. He’s constantly willing to take on new members and go the extra mile to make them feel welcome in the Chamber. Williams has been an active Chamber member for several years, participating in the Business Development Council, Health & Human Services Committee, Board of Directors and last, but certainly not least, as a caddy at the Cocktails & Caddies golf event.
• The 2017 Volunteer of the Year is Vicky Cundiff with Weed Man. Cundiff is an extremely involved member who can be found at nearly every Chamber event, big or small. She serves on the Oktoberfest and Governmental Relations committees, Annual Gala & Golf Task Forces and also served on the Executive Committee for several years, including as Chair of the Board in 2016. More than that, she’s behind the scenes helping with the dirty work and heavy lifting at events, and with a smile on her face. She is a huge advocate of the Chamber, and our community as a whole.
• The Bob Glaser Ambassador of the Year award goes to a member of the Chamber Ambassador committee who recruited the most new members. Julia Hampton recruited 7.5 new members in 2017, also gaining her a spot in the 2017 Chairman’s Club. She has been a member since 2002 with her accounting firm Julia E. Hampton, CPA which won the 2014 Business of the Year award in the five or less employees category. She participates on multiple Chamber committees, including the Ambassadors and Truly the Best Task Force. Hampton also is a member of the Leadership Lee’s Summit Class of 2018.
• The 2017 Steve Gouldsmith New Member of the Year is Alyssa Sharp, a CPA with Mize Houser & Co., who joined the Chamber and jumped right in, taking full advantage of her membership. Sharp devotes time attending Membership Committee meetings and working to retain current members, as well as serving as a mentor to new members. She attends many Chamber events, including Chamber Young Professionals, monthly networking events and ribbon cuttings where she has also served as emcee.
• The Chamber’s Lifetime Member award goes to someone who has been involved for many years and shown great support to the organization. The 2017 recipient is Roby Little, the retired director of Lee’s Summit CARES, a local nonprofit serving Lee’s Summit youth. Under Roby’s leadership, Lee’s Summit CARES proved to be a great partner of the Chamber by donating not only time and energy, but also by sponsoring events and playing a key role in a number of community initiatives. She served on the Chamber’s Visitors Council for many years and also chaired the 2018 Gala Task Force.
In 2006, the Chamber established an annual Hall of Fame Award. The criteria for this award includes being a member of the Lee’s Summit Chamber for a minimum of 10 years, showing continuous active involvement through financial and volunteer support and being respected throughout the community. Each recipient has had a significant positive impact and has consistently exemplified the philosophy, value and mission of the Chamber.
This year, the Chamber welcomes the Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport. The airport has been a member of the Chamber since 1981. In addition to being a huge community asset, the airport has supported the Chamber in a number of ways. Airport Manager John Ohrazda is an active member and former chair of the Lee’s Summit Visitors Council, and can be found at Oktoberfest all-weekend long serving as tent manager on SE Main St., as well as on the Oktoberfest committee. The Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport also has been an avid supporter of Chamber publications and the Community Marketing Program. John’s hard work has recently paid off with the addition of new hangars and extended runways, and it seems that more growth is on the horizon for the airport in the coming years.
The Lee’s Summit Chamber was incorporated in 1968 and is a member-supported organization of businesses dedicated to creating opportunities for business success through networking, advocacy, and business and professional development. For additional information, call the Chamber at 816-524-2424.
