West Orange Chamber Of Commerce Receives The FACP 2009 Chamber Of The Year Award

October 14, 2009….The West Orange Chamber of Commerce recently returned triumphant from the annual Florida Association of Chamber Professional’s/Florida Chamber of Commerce Conference that was held at the Disney Yacht & Beach Club.  The most prestigious award of the evening, “2009 Chamber of the Year” was presented to WOCC during the Florida Chamber of Commerce Annual Award Dinner. 

This is the third consecutive year that the Chamber has won an FACP Award. Last year, the West Orange Chamber was awarded the FACP 2008 Communications Award for the Chamber’s 2008 promotional campaigns; Best Fest “The Taste of West Orange” created by Alarie Design Associates, Inc and “The Big Orange Ball…A Dance Off” created by Blue Sky Partners, Inc. At the 2007 conference, the Chamber won an award for their Marketing campaign “JOIN.MEET. GROW.” also created by Alarie Design Associates, Inc.

The Chamber of the Year Award recognizes the accomplishments of WOCC on a wide-range of achievements including advocacy, programming and financial stability.  “I’m elated,” said Stina D’Uva, President/CEO of the West Orange Chamber. “For the last several years, we have been fortunate to have received Communication and Marketing awards, yet Chamber of the Year is the one towards which we have strived. The entire Chamber deserves this award and I am so very proud of this honor.”

West Orange Chamber Prestigious Awards

The Chamber annually recognizes outstanding Chamber members and their businesses for exemplary contributions to the West Orange Community.

WOCC CHAIRMAN’S AWARD
This award honors individuals who have given exceptional service to the chamber and the community during the previous year.
Previous winners:
2010 - David Billsborough
2009 - June Engineering
2008 - Chesta Hembrooke
2007 - Shelly Weidenhamer
2006 - Progress Energy
2005 - Dianne Southwell & Bob Hennen
2004 - Michael Waldrop
2003 - Julie Bateman & Pamela Gould
2002 - Diane Trees and Neal Harris
2001 - Gary Allington, Bell South
2000 - Russ Salerno & Neal Harris

BUSINESS MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD
This award is given to a member business which has worked to enhance the business climate within the West Orange Community and has exceeded expectations in volunteer assignments.
Previous winners:
2010 - Bright Future Electric
2009 - University of Central Florida
2008 - DRB Benefits Group
2007 - Regions Bank
2006 - Sign Farm
2005 - Veranda Partners
2004 - Florida Auto Auction
2003 - Alarie Design Associates, Inc.
2002 - The West Orange Times
2001 - Ken Cone, Florida Power
2000 - Walt Disney World Company

THE MARY VANDEVENTER AWARD, “THE SPIRIT OF WEST ORANGE”
This award is given to a woman who demonstrates excellence in her profession and inspires other women to succeed.  She must contribute time and talent for the betterment of the West Orange community.
Previous winners:
2010 - Lisa Richards
2009 - Mary Anne Swickerath
2008 - Deb Linden
2007 - Pam Gould
2006 - Judy Black

THE SAM HOVSEPIAN AWARD
This is given in memory of one of West Orange’s outstanding citizens the award goes to a man who “stands head and shoulders above the crowd” for contributions, service and leadership to the community.
Previous winners:
2010 - David Sylvester
2009 - Michael Waldrop
2008 - Rob Maphis
2007 - Neal Harris
2006 - A. Kurt Ardaman
2005 - Walter Toole
2004 - Derek Blakeslee
2003 - Preben Olesen
2002 - Ted DeWitt
2001 - Richard Irwin, Health Central
2000 - Jon VanderLey

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
This award is given in recognition of endless dedication, energy and service to the West Orange Chamber of Commerce.
Previous winners:
2010 - Jaclyn Whiddon
2009 - Cara Hennen
2008 - Joan Bailey
2007 - JoAnne Quarles
2006 - Chesta Hembrooke
2005 - Pat Gleason
2004 - Rev. Tom Rutherford
2003 - Ruth Grafton

GEORGE BAILEY AWARD
This award is given in recognition of demonstrated excellence in fostering partnerships for the benefit of the local community.
Previous winners:
2010 - Orange County Commissioner Scott Boyd
2009 - Robert Holston
2008 - Bill Criswell
2007 - Paul McGarigal
2006 - Jerry Van Dyke
2005 - Jim Thomas & Jack Amon

JERRY CHICONE AWARD
This award is given in recognition of establishing a philanthropic legacy for enhancing and improving our community.
Previous winners:
2010 - Darrell Gardner
2009 - Gavin & Annette Ford/Covelli Enterprises
2008 - Walt Disney World
2007 - Derek Blakeslee with the Bond Foundation
2006 - The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation
2005 - West Orange Junior Service League

BERT ROPER AWARD
This award is given in recognition as a champion who has improved the well-being and quality of life of our community.
Previous winners:
2010 - Lori Burshan
2009 - The Johnny Damon Foundation
2008 - Bill Barnes
2007 - Randy June
2006 - Dan Petro
2005 - Richard Irwin

LIFETIME DIRECTOR
The executive committee of the chamber upon due consideration of a board member’s accomplishments on behalf of the chamber, may recommend a board member in good-standing for a lifetime director award.  A lifetime director receives complimentary membership for his/her lifetime, a plaque, his/her name added to the perpetual plaque, and is granted attendance to all board meetings, however is not permitted to vote.  This does not preclude a lifetime director from being appointed to a voting seat on the board, but it shall not increase the set number of board seats as described in the by-laws.
Lifetime Directors:
Neal Harris
Kay Behrens
Jim Neumayer
Russ Salerno
Julie Kleffel
Diane Trees

LIFETIME MEMBER
The executive committee of the chamber upon due consideration of a chamber member’s accomplishments on behalf of the chamber, may recommend a chamber member in good-standing for a lifetime member award.  A lifetime member receives complimentary membership for his/her lifetime, a plaque, and his/her name added to the perpetual plaque.
Lifetime Members:
West Orange Times (Bailey family)
Neal Harris
Asher Neal
William “Bill” Breeze
Mervin Lee
Lucille Hovsepian
James A. “Alton” Julian

LIFETIME AMBASSADOR
The ambassador committee of the chamber upon due consideration of a chamber ambassador’s accomplishments on behalf of the chamber, may recommend to the chamber’s executive committee, an ambassador in good-standing for a lifetime ambassador award.  A lifetime ambassador receives complimentary membership for his/her lifetime, a plaque, and his/her name added to the perpetual plaque.
Lifetime Ambassadors:
Ruth Grafton
Marie Williams
Donna Leigaber