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Community leaders honored at annual chamber dinner

| April 10, 2017
Bill Brown - Coshoctonian

Bill Brown – Coshoctonian

Dustin Haywood - Employee of the Year

Dustin Haywood – Employee of the Year

Terry Guilliams – Employee of the Year

Terry Guilliams – Employee of the Year

Emily Adams – Young Leader of the Year

Emily Adams – Young Leader of the Year

Ray Worthington - First Responder of the Year

Ray Worthington – First Responder of the Year

Erwin’s Family Eye Care - Small Business of the Year

Erwin’s Family Eye Care – Small Business of the Year

COSHOCTON – Bill Brown was honored and humbled to have his name added to the list of Coshoctonians.

“I’m a little embarrassed,” he said. “It’s such an honor to have my name mentioned in the same paragraph as the others who have received this award.”

Brown was one of several people who received awards at the annual Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce Dinner held April 7 at Lake Park Pavilion. He started working at GE in 1963 and moved to Coshocton in 1969. Brown’s love of Thunderbirds led him to open CASCO, which won the small business of the year award in 1996. In the community he has been an active member of Rotary, been an advocate in the local developmental disabilities world, been active with Boy Scouts and was on stage when the community theater was located at the fairgrounds.

“GE brought me to Coshocton, but I fell in love with the people here,” Brown said. “I could live anywhere but this is where I want to live.”

The Coshoctonian award recognizes an individual’s “long term contribution to the well-being and economic climate of the community,” and it was presented to Brown by Kirby Hasseman who had the pleasure of introducing him to attendees of the dinner.

Another award handed out at the dinner was the employee of the year award. Rotary President Valerie Miller had the pleasure of presenting this award to both Terry Guilliams and Dustin Haywood.

Guilliams has worked in education for 37 years. He teaches social studies at Ridgewood Middle School and is a big supporter of the National Geography Bee. Guilliams also runs the chess club for students.

“It’s easy to want to go to school and do my job because I have great leaders in Mr. Masloski and Mrs. Claxon,” Guilliams said.

Haywood is the media technology professional for Hasseman Marketing. His nominators said he is always learning and adapting to new technology, takes pride in his work and is open to feedback.

“I was not given a heads up (about this award) so I don’t have anything prepared to say,” Haywood said. “Those who know me though know I’m a man of few words. Thank you.”

Lyn Mizer, president of Kiwanis, announced that Erwin’s Family Eye Care was selected to receive the small business of the year award.

The Erwins started their optometry practice in Coshocton in 1978. They have been active in many areas of the community including educating children about eye health, working on a variety of levies, dedicating time to Lake Park and Hopewell and were instrumental in helping Coshocton High School get its new track and updated tennis courts.

“Thank you Coshocton for supporting us over the years,” said Dr. David Erwin. “Operating a small business is challenging but rewarding. I can’t think of a better place to do it though than Coshocton. It’s a dream come true.”

David’s wife Diane agreed with him.

“I think anyone that takes the initiative to start a small business deserves an award,” she said.

Their daughter Dr. Danielle Erwin Ellis, who joined the practice six years ago, was honored by the award.

“Everyone has worked hard over the years and given time to serve the community,” she said.

A new award added to the list this year was the first responder of the year. It was presented by Coshocton County Commissioner Dane Shryock. He and the rest of the board of commissioners sponsored the award.

“We have a really great staff and we encourage them to offer their opinions and suggestions for ways we can better serve the community,” Shryock said.

When it was brought to the commissioners’ attention that an award might be missing from this annual celebration of leadership and service to our community they agreed that those who work or volunteer their time in the fire, EMS and law enforcement area needed to be honored. The first person selected to receive this award was Ray Worthington from the Conesville Volunteer Fire Department. His nominators said he lives his life to the highest moral and ethical standards and has been a mentor to many people.

“I’m humbled to stand up here when there are so many others more deserving than I,” he said. “Thank you to everyone who serves the community and helps save lives and protect property.”

COTC President Dr. Bonnie Coe presented Emily Adams with the young leader of the year award. Adams, the OSU Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources County Extension Director for Coshocton County, was active in 4-H and FFA as a youth in Coshocton County and earned degrees in food science from The Ohio State University. In addition to providing education programs to farmers, she also empowers women in agriculture and has been active in community organizations like United Way.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Adams said. “I love this place and this county. My hope is that God continues to use all of us to make this the best community we possibly can.”

 

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About the Author ()

I started my journalism career in 2002 with a daily newspaper chain. After various stops with them, I am happy to be back home! I graduated from Coshocton High School in 1998 and received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 2002 from Walsh University. I also earned several awards while working for daily papers, including being honored by Coshocton County’s veterans for the stories I wrote about them. I am honored and ready to once again shine a positive light on Coshocton County. I also am the proud mother of a little girl named Sophia!

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