Elta Joyce Murphey McAfee Named 2017 Citizen of the Year

SAN ANGELO, TX — San Angelo’s business leaders honored Elta Joyce Murphey McAfee Thursday evening when they named her the 2017 San Angelo Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year.

The honor is prestigious in this part of Texas and a highly anticipated recognition made during the chamber’s annual banquet that was held Thursday evening. The 2016 Citizen of the Year Mike Boyd made the presentation. Joining Ms. McAfee on the stage to receive the honor was her daughter Lisa and son-in-law Scott Steger.

McAfee grew up in a ranching family southwest of here in Mertzon and Barnhart, but she graduated from San Angelo Central High School. Upon graduation she attended the University of Texas and graduated from Hardin Simmons University.

McAfee lived all of her life in the Concho Valley, and is known for her generosity to the community and a steadfast supporter of education of our children, especially in the performing arts.

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Above: The 2016 Citizen of the Year Mike Boyd congratulates the 2017 winner. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde)

Mike Boyd said she was once a stage actor but soon after, early in her career, was an elementary school teacher.

McAfee is a committed sponsor of:

• The San Angelo Symphony,
• The rehabilitation of the City Auditorium, which will be named in her honor, and
• She endowed the nationally recognized San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts En Plein Air Texas juried art competition held here annually. She is also a founding member of the museum.

McAfee joined the San Angelo Symphony Board in 1964, and then the San Angelo Symphony Guild in 1967. She became its president in 1973-74 and again in 1992-93. In 1996 she was named a member of the symphony’s Circle of Honor. She still serves as a board member for the symphony.

Significantly, she was the chair of the fundraising effort in 1983 to introduce ballet to San Angelo. It was then that the first production of the Nutcracker was introduced in San Angelo. Today, the organization she played a critical role in creating is called Ballet San Angelo.

She is also a past president of the San Angelo Civic Theater.

McAfee made San Angelo a more delightful place to live through a life-long dedication to the arts.

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Above: Outgoing chamber chairman Jamie Akin walks away as 2017 chairman Chuck Shore assumes the position for 2017. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde)

Also at Thursday evening’s banquet, Chuck Shore assumed leadership of the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from outgoing chairwoman Jamie Akin. Shore is also an executive vice president for First Financial Bank, San Angelo.

Shore listed his priorities for his term as board chairman. First and foremost, Shore said he would invigorate the chamber’s communications, particularly online. The chamber website is over a decade old.

Shore said the chamber will support the annual boat races, The Showdown in San Angelo, and wants it to succeed. The chamber was the founding organization that brought the boat races to San Angelo. Now the production company, Lucas Oil, has decided to put on the event without the chamber’s direct involvement.

Without the direct responsibility of the boat races, Shore promised to adopt other citywide projects that will have an economic impact. He mentioned ideas such as enhancing the use of the world-class sports complex and building infrastructure downtown, like sidewalk lights.

Shore also said the chamber will implement a strategy to recruit and help grow women- and minority-owned businesses.

Also honored at Thursday night’s event were:

Spirit of San Angelo Award: The late Phil Neighbors, past president. Phil’s wife Susan accepted the award.

Outstanding Chairman Award: Alvin New

Special Merit Award: San Angelo Police Chief Frank Carter

Innovation Award: Principal LED

Special Recognition Award: Sandy Jameson

Special Recognition Award: Mike Martin

Special Recognition Award: Lt. Gen. Ronnie Hawkins (USAF-Retired)

Outstanding Member Award: Harry Thomas

Chairman’s Award: Peggy Arnold

Time Clock Plus, Shannon Medical Center, and First Financial Bank sponsored the banquet. It was held at the McNease Convention Center.