San Angelo Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 100 Years

Thursday night was a time of remembrance and of honoring the people of the past, present and future who have helped make San Angelo a place citizens can be proud of during the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce’s 100^th Annual Banquet held at the McNease Convention Center.

“As we celebrate 100 years of service, we celebrate this great walk of love,” said outgoing 2015 Chamber of Commerce Chairman Jeff DeLoach. DeLoach is also the publisher of the San Angelo Standard-Times, our competitor.

DeLoach, the primary speaker of the evening, spent time honoring people and businesses that have made an impact on the economic well-being of San Angelo. More than 400 people gathered to witness and be a part of that honor.

“Tonight and in the many years to come, may we recognize, reflect, and celebrate 100 years of great people, dedicated relationships, and monumental achievements of our very own San Angelo Chamber of Commerce,” said 2016 Chairwoman Jamie Akin to toast the 100 years of service.

Throughout the evening, the Chamber recognized the following businesses and individuals: 

• Spirit of San Angelo Award: San Angelo Support for Veterans, Inc.
• Innovation Award: TimeClock Plus
• Special Merit Award For An Organization: House of Faith
• Special Recognition Award for an Individual: Dr. Ross Dawkins
• Outstanding Committee Chairman Award: Blake Burchard, Chairman of the Craig Partusch Memorial Showdown in San Angelo Drag Boat Race
• Chairman’s Award: Fred Hernandez
• Past Chairman’s Award: 2015 Chairman Jeff DeLoach
• Retiring Directors—Service Awards (for 3-years service 2012-2015): Blake Burchard, AEP, Texas; John Fuentes, Fuentes Downtown; Debbie Mackey, Performant; Brian Thomma, A-B Distributing Co.; Rick Mantooth, Foster Communications (Rick served 5 years and was the 2014 Chairman of the Board)
• 2016 Citizen of the Year: Mike Boyd

In addition, to honoring the businesses and people of recent times, a presentation was put together that highlighted the last 100 years of the Chamber’s history through a video. McLaughlin Advertising, Phil Neighbors and Rick Mantooth made the video possible.

“The San Angelo Chamber is as strong as it’s ever been,” narrated Mantooth in the video.

He went on to highlight that the industrious and friendly people of San Angelo is what has helped make the Chamber so successful. The Chamber’s oldest record dates back from 1908, and through efforts and relationships, the city economy continued to grow and develop. Mantooth also reiterated that the Chamber is in the top 3 percent of chambers of commerce nationwide, and it’s a Four-Star Accredited chamber, which was part of the 100 Years Strong theme of the event. 

“It’s all about relationships, and there’s no one that knows that best than the Chamber,” Mantooth said.

Mantooth also highlighted the first female Chamber member, the late Deanna Mayfield to lead the board of directors. Mayfield led the way for women like Akin.

Akin, during her speech, said she was proud to be “standing here, where one of my greatest role models, and a woman who I greatly admire, Deanna Mayfield, once stood.”

Akin also told the crowd that the 2016 Board of Directors are focused on the future, and pledged to grow the Chamber by 100 more members this year.

“As you probably read, we will be asking for your help in this initiative,” she said. “This is an opportunity, and it’s an opportunity I’m honored to be a part of. It’s something that’s been a part of me for some time.”

As for the main honor of the night, Dr. Carol Ann Bonds, last year’s Citizen of the Year Award recipient, spent a bit of time telling the story of Mike Boyd.

In her introduction, Bonds said, “Few people are able to live lives that are exemplary in every aspect through each phase of life. Our Citizen of the Year has consistently excelled in each area of his life, including his personal life, his military service, his profession career, his faith-based dedication and his community service. Without a doubt, his life stands as an inspiration to people of all ages.”

After Bonds told the many stories about Boyd's life, the honoree, his wife Treva and their family made the way up to the stage. With tears in his eyes and strong emotion in his voice, Boyd said, “I’d like to meet that guy she was talking about. Forty years ago, Treva and I got an opportunity to come to San Angelo and work at a bank in San Angelo. They were nice enough to give us a job. We chose San Angelo because we had family here; we wanted a better career. And it’s worked out great.”

Boyd also thanked his mentors in the audience who gave him an opportunity to serve the community for 40 years.

“I challenge the ones [who] are out there in the audience to come participate for another 40 years,” he said. “We need to help.”

Boyd also gave credit to his father who he said was looking down from above on his accomplishments.

“With his 34.5 years in the service, he taught me that, in today’s world, if you take care of your men and women, they’ll take care of you,” he said.

Boyd also graciously thanked his family at the bank.

“I’ve got to thank the individuals at the bank for letting me do what I do these past years," he credited. "And they took up all the slack and never missed a beat; so, I salute you.”

Boyd also gave credit to his kids and wife.

“They had a lot of patience growing up. By patience, I was gone a lot,” he said of having to travel during his military career. As for his wife, he said, “She’s been my rock. She raised these boys while I was gone.”

Boyd also thanked the citizens of San Angelo in his final statement.

“Thank you all for accepting us as part of San Angelo and letting us be a part of this big group,” he said. “God Bless you.”