David Lowe named Citizen of the Year

​The Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce 2017 Citizen of the Year is David Lowe.  David was nominated by the Rotary Club of Pulaski County.  (Bio can be found here.)

The Chamber had 155 in attendance at the Community Leadership Awards Banquet held at the ARK Community & Sports Center.  

The 2017 Chamber Organization of the Year, the Sustainable Ozarks Partnership; through their efforts our region has seen many successes in 2017.  Some of those successes include, Increased Basic Combat Training mission load at Fort Leonard Wood, Planned Military Construction Funding for a replacement hospital on Fort Leonard Wood, Strengthened partnerships within our communities, our state and Fort Leonard Wood, Enhanced focus on commercial air transportation access to the region, Sustained rigor and high performance in our public school districts, A comprehensive analysis of the economic impacts of personnel reductions at Fort Leonard Wood and the identification of mitigation strategies to offset those impacts.  The highlight of the year came when the Department of the Army formally recognized the significance of the Sustainable Ozarks Partnerships local, regional and state support for Fort Leonard Wood by presenting the FLW-SOP partnership initiative with the 2017 Army Community Partnership Award. This award officially acknowledged their commitment to national defense through their partnerships with the Army aimed at lowering operational costs, improving mission training and readiness, expanding capabilities and creating efficiencies.

The 2017 Volunteer of the Year, Sean Wilson, was recognized for his dedication and passion to the youth in Pulaski County by presenting the CHOICES program to area eighth graders as well as teaching other youth within the school districts professional development skills.  Sean has brought his knowledge of leadership development to the current Leadership Pulaski County class and the Alumni Association.  He is the chairperson for the Governmental and Military Affairs Committee, where his passion for our Armed Forces and those who have served has played a role in helping to coordinate the Veterans’ Day Ceremony and Parade. Last but not least, Sean was an instrumental part in creating the ‘Speak Your Peace’ Civility Project which focuses on three main topics to educate people on how to “Be Informed, Be Empowered, and Be the Difference,” while using Social Media.

At any Chamber function you’re sure to see the bright blue jackets worn by the members of the Chamber’s Ambassador Club.  They are the Chamber’s army of volunteers, and it is a special privilege to honor them for their dedicated service.  The 2017 Ambassadors of the Year is Laura Schoephorster.  The Ambassador of the Year is determined by attendance at Chamber functions throughout the year.  Laura attended 67 out of 102 Chamber events during 2017, earning 169 points.  

You can read more from an article published in the Waynesville Daily Guide, found here.