MACC Awards Program Award Nomination Form
2006 MASON AREA CHAMBER AWARD WINNERS
Each year the Chamber recognizes excellence in the Mason area at their annual Awards Dinner. Awards are presented for Citizen of the Year, Excellence in Education, Excellence in Business, President’s Award, and Special Recognition.
Doug Williams was selected as the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2006 Citizen of the Year. This annual award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the community over several years through their caring and concern. Doug is commander of the American Legion Browne/Cavender Post #148 in Mason. He has been the driving force behind many important community events, significantly the Memorial Day parade and ceremonies, the Veterans Day observances, and the Pearl Harbor remembrances. Doug and the members of the American Legion Post #148 have also lent their skills as parade marshals to Mason’s Independence Day parade on July 4th and the Christmas Tree lighting and lighted parade on the day after Thanksgiving each year. Members of the American Legion Post #148 and local sponsors also make sure that our community flies the flag with pride on federal holidays by placing flags in front of area businesses.
Kathy Horton of Mason’s Alaiedon Elementary School was the recipient
of the Mason Area Chamber’s 2006 Excellence in Education award. This award
recognizes an educator who best exemplifies the qualities that inspire students
to learn and value education. Kathy has been serving Mason students at Alaiedon
for thirty years as a first and second grade teacher. She is a master teacher
with a vast repertoire of teaching strategies and skills. Her students
regularly score among the district’s highest on standardized tests. At the time
of her nomination, Wayne Edly, last year’s Alaiedon principal, said: “It is a
privilege to work alongside of Kathy because she brings the best out in everyone
she encounters. As a building principal, I often seek Kathy’s advice and
opinions on many issues. She is one of the reasons Alaiedon Elementary is a
great place for students to learn and for staff to work!”
Gestamp US Hardtech received the Mason Chamber’s 2006 Excellence in Business award. This award is presented to a business for innovation, risk and growth that represents the entrepreneurial spirit of business development. Gestamp US HardTech develops, manufactures and markets safety components for the automotive industry and is part of Gestamp Automocion based in Madrid, Spain. Sten Sjoberg is the president of the company which has been in expansion since they came to United States and Mason as SSAB HardTech almost ten years ago. They have expanded their Mason plant in recent years and expect to do that again soon. More importantly, they’ve expanded their customer list to include Ford, General Motors, Daimler-Chrysler, BMW, Mazda, Mercedes, and others. The company expects to add employees to the 170 already working as operators of production lines, toolmakers, logistics specialists, and in sales and marketing.
Arnold Short received the 2006 President’s Award. This award recognizes the contributions made by an individual to the Mason Area Chamber’s goals over the previous year. Arnold has been extremely helpful to the Chamber and the community by promoting the sale of tickets to the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Corvette raffle party, especially with sales of 103 tickets in 2005. Net proceeds from that licensed event (MLR80416) went to assist the Chamber in investing in the Mason area community in a variety of ways. Arnold has lived in Mason area with his wife Evelyn for over 50 years. He retired from General Motors in 1989 and is vice president and a founding member of the County Seat Old Car Club. “Support is essential to a nonprofit business association like the Chamber as we carry out our mission of community improvement and economic development. We are very fortunate and grateful to have Arnold volunteer his time to assist us in that effort each year,” Mason Area Chamber past president George Hayhoe said at the time of nomination.
The Mason Area Historical Society was selected for the Chamber’s 2006 Special Recognition award in appreciation for their leadership in preserving the history of the Mason area. In 2005, the Society produced a video on Mason area history called “Mason by the Sycamore.” The group is also among the newest partners in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. MAHS owns and operates two museums. One is the Pink School near Cedar Street Elementary which is open only by appointment. The other is the Mason Area Historical Museum at 200 E. Oak Street open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. “The Mason Area Historical Society is a valued cultural organization that serves our community well and makes the Mason area a great place to call home,” Mason Area Chamber past president George Hayhoe said at the time of nomination. The 2006 MACC Awards Dinner was generously supported by the Mason Community Health Center.