Chamber announces new award recipients

Area businesses and individuals will receive recognition at the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce 65th annual awards banquet later this month. The chamber will honor seven businesses and individuals on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at Kent State Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center beginning at 5 p.m.

Wayne Garage Door Sales & Service is the recipient of the Large Business of the Year for organizations with more than 50 employees while SSB Community Bank of Strasburg was selected for Small Business of the Year.

Wayne Garage Door Sales & Service has served Tuscarawas County and the surrounding area for more than 50 years. The company’s dedication to the community is evident by its sponsorships and donations to schools, athletics and 4-H programs.

SSB Community Bank at Strasburg is celebrating its 100th year of operation. Having grown to more than $200 million in assets, the bank is focused on customer service, community commitment and providing opportunities for college students to gain experience through summer internships. Bank management encourages its employees to become active participants with many community organizations and events.

Access Tusc of New Philadelphia will receive the Organization of the Year. The group was nominated by Robin Waltz of the United Way of Tuscarawas County. In her submission letter, Waltz said, “Access Tusc provides a valuable community service by actively collaborating, educating and coordinating social and health services to Tuscarawas and surrounding counties.”

Aaron Davis of the Indian Valley Local Schools has been chosen to receive this year’s Educator of the Year. His nomination was submitted by Superintendent Dr. Ira Wentworth of the Indian Valley Local Schools. He said, “In his 13 years of serving the Indian Valley district, Aaron has become Mr. Everything.”

Wentworth cited Davis as someone who puts others before himself as he spends countless hours serving as the adviser for Braves Nation Communications and handling the duties of percussion instructor and winter pep band adviser.

Lisa Keim of Comfort Inn & Suites was selected as the Volunteer of the Year. She participated in various events including the annual golf outing, monthly Business After Hours, Tips Club and legislative luncheons.

Scott Gerber of Belden Brick is the Citizen of the Year. He is being recognized for providing a decade of leadership to the Ohio Swiss Festival and for serving as president of the Arts Council of Sugarcreek. He recently added another role as a chamber board member to his list of community service.

The chamber Hall of Fame recipient is Trent B. Troyer of New Philadelphia. Troyer is the current president/CEO of First Federal Community Bank in Dover. Troyer is a former board chair and volunteer for the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce. That is only part of his list of community activities, which include the Quaker Foundation and many others.

Sponsors for the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce event include Baker Florist, Buckeye Career Center, Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital, Dover Hydraulics, First Federal Community Bank, First National Bank of Dennison, Huntington National Bank, Kent State University at Tuscarawas, Kimble Companies, McInturf Realty, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, Neidenthal & Co., ProVia, Schauer Group Inc., SpringVale Health Centers, Starlight Enterprises Inc., State Sen. Al and Debby Lands, The Commercial & Savings Bank, Trinity Health Systems Twin City Medical Center, Triple “S” Energy Management LLC, Tuscarawas County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Tuscarawas Valley Safety Council, Unified Bank, Wayne Garage Door Sales & Service, WM Commercial Roofing, and WTUZ Radio.

Call the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce at 330-343-4474.

Kent State Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center is located at 330 University Drive NE in New Philadelphia.