Story, photos by Steve Nash – Special Contributor to BrownwoodNews.com

With a theme of “120 Years of Impact,” the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet Thursday night at the Brownwood Event Center.

Stephen Haynes served as emcee as the chamber celebrated the community’s businesses, leaders and people and gave awards in numerous categories. Haynes noted that the chamber, which was founded in 1906, has served the community for 120 years.

Award winners were:

Groner Pitts Lifetime Achievement Award — Tom Munson

Man of the Year Award — Draco Miller Jr.

Woman of the Year Award — Dee Dee Lee

Stuart Coleman Good Neighbor Award — Cullen Sliger

State Farm Good Neighbor Award — Micah Jaynes

Volunteer of the Year Award — Jesse Mendoza

Small Business of the Year Award — Wendlee Broadcasting

Medium Business of the Year Award — Pioneer Tap House

Large Business of the Year Award — Howard Payne University

Community Partner of the Year Award — Good Samaritan Ministries

Professional of the Year Award — Tammy Fisher

Young Professional of the Year Award — Conner Faught

Animal Lover of the Year Award — Dr. Fritz Speck

Chamber Board Member of the Year Award — Dana Prochaska (not present)

Chamber Ambassador of the Year Award — Raquel Mata (not present)