Duncan Chamber announces award nominees

Tamara Gregor, The Duncan Banner, Okla.
·3 min read

Mar. 9—The Duncan Chamber of Commerce released its list of award nominees for the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet, set for 6:30 p.m. March 30 at the Simmons Center in Duncan.

The theme of the night is The Greatest Show on Earth and the banquet will celebrate Duncan's best accomplishments during 2022.

Nominees were announced for the Duncan Chamber of Commerce Awards during the Chamber's monthly breakfast at the Simmons Center.

The Duncan Chamber of Commerce hosted its monthly breakfast to bring community and business members together and share happenings in Duncan.

Duncan Chamber President and CEO Chris Deal said they have nominations for awards including the lifetime achievement, woman of the year, man of the year, community improvement, Al Hinshaw Community Spirit and non-profit of the year.

"We have the nominations for our different awards that are given at the chamber to chamber members for their excellence in things they did in 2022, except of the first group, the Lifetime Achievement Award," he said.

Deal continued to read the nominations for each group.

The Lifetime Achievement Award will recognize a person whose outstanding civic contributions and leadership have been in the pursuit of an improved quality of life in Duncan during their lifetime. Nominees include Gary Criswell, Gene Brown, Martha Burger, Marilyn Hugon and LaWayne Jones.

The Woman of the Year Award will recognize a woman whose outstanding community contributions and leadership have been in the pursuit of an improved quality of life in Duncan. These nominees include Dr. Channa Byerly, LoisDawn Jones, Dr. Kimberly Weaver MD, Sharon Burum and Julie Stockton.

The Man of the Year Award will recognize a man whose outstanding community contributions and leadership have been in the pursuit of an improved quality of life in Duncan. Those nominate include Jimmy Tilley, Marcus McEntire, Tony Lopez, Mike Conn and Craig Taliaferro.

The Community Improvement Award will recognize a business establishment that has made a significant improvement to the physical appearance of their property. These nominees are McCoy's, Duncan Tower, Duncan Sports Park and Activity Center (DSPAC), The Snow Parlor and Heartbeat Dance Studio.

The Free Enterprise Award will recognize and honor individuals or organizations that have strengthened and fostered the development of free enterprise. These nominees include Duncan Public Schools Pathways to Future Careers, 5B Aviation, Dream Team Prosthetics, Family Dollar and Solitaire Homes.

The Al Hinshaw Community Spirit Award will recognize individuals who exemplify the enthusiastic "can do" spirit of Duncan through their volunteer efforts to accomplish great challenges for the benefit of the community. These nominees are JD Taylor, PGM Processing LLC, Patti Holman Whitaker, Michael Harris, Cindy Parks, Brad and Kelly Wilkerson.

The Non-Profit of the Year Award will recognize and honor a non-profit organization that has strengthened the quality of life in Duncan. These nominees include Think Ability Inc., Duncan Chisholm Trail Kiwanis Club, Stephens County Humane Society, One True Light Inc. and The Safe Center.

For more information about the Duncan Chamber of Commerce, contact Sandy Stewart at 580-255-3644 or email duncancc@duncanchamber.com.