Winners accepted plaques at the 2022 Spring River Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Feb. 21 at the Highland Elks Lodge.

A huge crowd of local business owners and dignitaries made their way to The Elks Lodge in Highland for the 2022 Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Feb. 21. 

Chamber President Lauren Sibert welcomed the crowd to the event. 

The night’s guest speaker was Randy Zook, Melbourne native and CEO and President of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas,

The most prestigious award to be bestowed upon a person in the area is the E.Wilson Green Community Service Award. The award recognizes a community member known for giving their time to make the community a better place to live. 

For the first time in the Chamber’s history the award was a tie. Julia Aldridge, director of the Mission of Hope in Hardy and Pastor Chris Clem of the Highland Assembly of God, shared the honor. 

Jessie Friend was named Volunteer of the Year, The President’s Award went to Fred Holzhauer. NonProfit of the year was the Ash Flat Library; Outstanding Individual Award was bestowed upon Cherokee Village Mayor Russell Stokes, and the Future Leader Award was given to Briana Aviles. 

Business of the Year awards were given in four categories.FNBC, Platinum; Gold, Sharp Office Supply; Silver, Fronteir Lanes and Hometown Radio took home the Bronze award. 

Dianne Dennis was awarded the Photo of the Year,  her photo will be featured on the Spring River Chamber Guide.

People’s Choice photo went to Ilene Walton.