The Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry had a very success year and is looking forward to an even better 2020.
“At the end of 2019, we had 334 members,” said Executive Director Tracy Becker March 7 during the chamber’s annual awards dinner. “We had 23 new members not counted into that calculation. We also have five new members so far in 2020.”
Becker said that was a retention rate of 93 percent, which was well above the national average of 78 to 86 percent.
“We greatly appreciate all the input that we receive from our members,” said Becker. “We all need to continue to work together in order to grow our community and to continue to make it a great place to live and work.”
Outgoing chamber president Jennifer Keth thanked the board and staff for their efforts over the past three years.
Kimberly Titley, the incoming board president outlined several events that will be held in 2020. Those events include a job and education fair, the annual spring and fall legislative breakfast, two chamber mixers, the annual Cheers and Beers Walk, the “I Love Clarion” days, the chamber’s golf outing, Women in Business Expo, the Small Business Saturday and the 67th Annual Autumn Leaf Festival.
“Our goal at the chamber has remained the same, serve our members, promote our community and the continued promotion of encouraging everyone to shop and support local throughout the year,” she said.
Titley introduced the 2020 board of directors: Melissa Blose, Amy Campbell, Jennifer Keth, Jim McConnell, Lyn Nesbitt, Ben Pfeufer, Tricia Pezzuti, Carol Porter, Cynthia Pruitt and Jill Rend.
Newly elected to the board are Kyle Cathcart, Shay Cyphert, Denis George, Courtney Herzine, Robert Walter and Stephanie Ginnery.
Titley announced Keth is the chairwoman for the 67th Annual Autumn Leaf Festival. This year the festival will run from Sept. 26 through Oct. 4.
Business Education Partner of the Year
The Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry recognized Clarion Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center as the 2019 Business Education Partner of the Year.
Clarion Chamber president Jennifer Keth said the business and education partnership is when schools and businesses, industry and governments or community organizations come together to establish goals for students and to construct and implement a plan of action for achieving those goals.
Keth said the Clarion Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center maintains a partnership with Clarion Hospital to give intern students experience in doing rounds at the facility and providing critical and valuable hands-on education.
“They host a quarterly community education series for both the public as well as for the Clarion University nursing students,” said Keth. “Many of these programs are part of the ongoing community awareness of the unique change associated with aging and how to navigate the short term and long term care system.”
Keth said Clarion Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center has a continuing partnership with the Clarion Area schools.
The program gives students a place to volunteer their time and provide job shadowing opportunities year around.
Accepting the award were Tracy Rapp and Laura Miller.
Economic development
The Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry honored the Clarion County YMCA with the award for economic development.
Keth said the YMCA has increased the number of people employed by the center from 25 to 63 since the new facility opened.
Keth said membership at the YMCA has increased from 1,850 to the current level of 5,278.
“This growth of 200 percent is unheard of in the YMCA community,” said Keth.
Keth said in one year 515 kids learned how to swim at the YMCA, senior membership rose doubled in 12 months to about 1,000 members. Currently there are 76 children in daycare at the Y and 76 in the before and after school programs.
There are 20 seventh grade students who are receiving free memberships due to scholarships.
YMCA director Jesse Kelley accepted the award. He thanked his family, staff and volunteers for the YMCA’s success.
Volunteers of the Year
The Douglas L. Sharrar volunteer of the year award is normally presented to a community member who has contributed significant time and talents to the chamber.
This year the award was presented to not one individual but a couple, Donna and Tim Cochran, of Knox.
“This year we have the honor of bestowing the award to two individuals who have been volunteering their time and talent to the chamber, especially for the Autumn Leaf Festival for many years,” said Keth.
Oil City native Donna Cochran has served as the parade marshal for the Tournament of Leaves parade for the past 16 years.
Tim Cochran has been the parade’s co-marshal for the past 10 years.
“They are always willing to lend a hand when needed, both with the Autumn Leaf and with other events throughout the year,” said Keth. “Our award recipients volunteered during the night to and wee hours of the morning to help mark the streets and set up the craft vendors who attended the Farmers and Crafters Day event.”
Keth said the Cochrans also serve on the Knox Horsethief Parade Committee and volunteer in an accounting capacity for the Knox Volunteer Fire Department.
“This is a recognition they did not ask for but deserve,” said Keth. “It is long overdue.”
Lifetime achievement
The chamber presented its lifetime achievement award posthumously to the late Randall Stom.
Stom was involved in suicide prevention and helped the county obtain a $20,000 grant from the state Department of Health to establish a quick response team to assist families and first responders in the case of a suicide. He was also involved with addiction treatment efforts.
“His love of music touched too many to count,” said Keth.
Stom was a member of the Chancel Choir at First United Methodist Church and the Clarion Community Choir.
Stom was the president of the Clarion Kiwanis Club. He started the BUG (Bring Up Grades) program and served on the board of directors of Pennies From Heaven and was an advocate for domestic violence victims.
“He had a deep for helping others, for his family, for his friends, for hic community,” said Keth. “He loved and he loved and he loved fiercely.”
Stom was elected to serve as the Clarion County Coroner in 2017. Stom passed away in November of 2019.
Citizen of the Year
The chamber honored a “model citizen” as the Citizen of the Year.
Keth said Matt Kaye was a “model citizen who has contributed to the economy of the community in many ways.”
Kaye and his wife, Coast Guard veteran Stacie Kaye, purchased the former Laurel Oaks Cabins in 2007 (now the Fair Winds in the Forest Cabins and Lodge) and the Whispering Oaks Cabins in 2011 which they renamed Cook Riverside Cabins in 2016.
He also purchased the Pale Whale canoe rental, Cooksburg Caf and the Cooksburg Dry Goods gift shop, which is now the Fair Winds Cabins. The various facilities employ 45 people.
“Our citizen of the year is always working behind the scenes to better others and our community,” said Keth. “He is an excellent businessman who believes in promoting other businesses, even competitors, to help strengthen our local economy.”
Kaye recently stepped in to oversee the operations of the Cook Forest Sawmill Center for the Arts. He has put in so many hours cleaning out buildings, organizing the summer programs and volunteers at may festivals.
“He has donated time, money and materials all with the hope of keeping Verna Leith’s dream alive,” said Keth. “Cook Forest Sawmill Center is on solid ground due to his dedication and hard work.”
Kaye said, “People ask why I do this and I tell them it is all worth it when you see the smile on a child’s face.”