Rolla businessman Nick Barrack received the distinguished Edmund Bishop Award on Saturday night during the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce’s 89th Annual Banquet at Matt’s Steakhouse.
Other recipients include Dr. Susan Bowles, who received the Spirit of Rolla Award, Terry Harris, who received the Ambassador of the Year Award, and Scott Caron, who received the Annual Achievement Award. An estimated 200 Chamber members, spouses and friends attended the banquet.
“I just do what I like doing,” a humbled Barrack said as he accepted the award. “Lots of other people are involved. It’s a community effort. Thank you,” he said.
Chamber Executive Director Stevie Kearse called Barrack “a very humble person. Nick is always the first to volunteer, and he never says no.”
Barrack is owner of Central Security and Electric Co. in Rolla and USA Tours. He also is an 1976 graduate of the University of Missouri-Rolla, now Missouri S&T, with a degree in electrical engineering.
Barrack, who annually shares the chairmanship of the Summerfest activities with Dawn Smith, follows James Fiscus, as the 2008 award winner. Other past winners include Drs. Delbert Day, Terry Brewer, John Park and Bob McKune and Charlotte Wiggins.
Last year’s recipient of the Spirit of Rolla winner Claudia Sands of Embarq presented Dr. Bowles, the principal at Wyman Elementary School the 2009 Spirit of Rolla Award for her achievements indicative in the spirit of Rolla. The award, which is given annually to a woman is sponsored by Kent Bagnall at Kent’s Jewelry.
Caron, the director of The Centre, received the Annual Achievement Award for his ongoing efforts to bring the Tour of Missouri through Rolla. Caron chaired the Local Organizing Committee and is leading the efforts for an encore performance in 2009.
Investment broker Terry Harris was presented the Ambassador of the Year Award for his relentless commitment to the Chamber of Commerce, attending nearly every ribbon-cutting and event sponsored by the Chamber.
The evening also witnessed the installation of new Chamber of Commerce officers in which Caroleen Ferrell accepted the gavel as president from outgoing president Pat Leaders and saw the installation of Barry White as president-elect, David Duncan as treasurer, and installation of board members Bagnall, Crystal Bahr, Shad Becker, Sue Brown, Caron, Angel Johnson, Maria Sachs, Glen Sapaugh, Jr., and Greg Stratman.
Ferrell welcomed the new board with optimism.
“The media wants to tell us it’s all bad,” Ferrell began. “People, it isn’t that bad. We’ve got it good here in Rolla. We have a wonderful city and a wonderful staff.
“We’ve opened many doors in 2008, and we want to open more and keep those doors open,” she said.
“Our slogan for 2009 is ... Your business is our business ...,” she said.
“I’ve had challenges in my life, and we’ll have challenges. When you’re feeling stressed, just turn that word around ... it spells desserts. So, eat chocolate and get over it,” she told Chamber members.
Past Chamber presidents who attended were recognized. They include Larry Thomas (1991), Bill Stoltz (1982-’83), Lonna Sowers (2001), Ward Merrell (2002), Sands (2005), Floyd Ferrell (1980), Maria Kardon (2006), Bill Jenks (1984, ‘85 and 2004), Pat Leaders (2008) and Steve Bowles (1990, 2000).
Entertainment for the evening was provided by Paper Slip Theatre, a St. Louis-based improvisational group. The group acted out three humorous skits, the first worked into a comedy routine phrases taken from the audience, the second involving a historical event selected by the audience — President George Washington crossing the Delaware — and the third in which participants acted to solve a murder mystery.
The improvisations provided humor and a chance to see Chamber members in a most whimsical and different light.
Sponsors for the 89th annual dinner include: Platinum: Mo-Sci, Phelps County Regional Medical Center and Town & Country Bank; Gold: Embarq and Mercy Health Plans; Silver: First Community Bank, Jenks/Long Insurance, Mid Missouri Credit Union, Pepsi, Phelps County Bank, Regions Bank, Presbyterian Manor; Award Sponsor: Kent Jewelry; Honorable Mention: The Frame Shop and Miller Glass, and an In-Kind Sponsor was Celebrations Catering.
The Banquet Committee includes: Sue Brown, Renae Hammon, Lori Moss, Kathy Oliver and Sue Stoltz.