CHAPEL HILL -- Twelve community heroes were recognized recently at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce's Salute to Community Heroes and Year-End Awards Gala.
The event honored the UNC Public Safety officer of the year, as well as Carrboro and Chapel Hill firefighters and police officers of the year, Orange County deputy sheriff of the year, and Orange County Emergency Services employee of the year. The Chamber also presented the Jim Gibson volunteer of the year, town and gown, Irene Briggaman lifetime achievement, and citizen of the year awards.
More than 150 Chamber and community members attended the event in appreciation of these local community heroes:
- James F. Ellis is the UNC Public Safety officer of the year.
- Greg Sherman is the Town of Carrboro firefighter of the year.
- Patrick Spencer is the Town of Chapel Hill firefighter of the year.
- E. Paul Reinas is the Carrboro police officer of the year.
- Jean-Luc S.C. Kirk is the Chapel Hill police officer of the year.
- M.A. LaLumiere is the Orange County deputy sheriff of the year.
- Rodney Michael Cates is the Orange County EMS employee of the year.
- Barbara Jessie-Black, executive director of PTA Thrift Shop, Inc., received the Jim Gibson volunteer of the year award.
- Laurie Paolicelli, executive director of the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, and Rick Steinbacher, associate athletic director for UNC Chapel Hill, received the town and gown award.
- Jonathan Howes, special assistant to the chancellor and adjunct professor of city and regional planning at UNC Chapel Hill, received the Irene Briggaman lifetime achievement award.
- Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy received the citizen of the year award.
"It's wonderful to see the work and commitment that these model citizens dedicate to creating a better community," said Chris Barnes, event emcee, incoming Chamber board member and assistant vice president at First Citizens Bank. "I'd like to offer my appreciation to all of the service officers that make this community a great place," Barnes said. "It's an honor to have so many with us."
The Jim Gibson volunteer of the year award is presented annually by the Chamber to an individual who has volunteered his or her time, talents and energy to enhance the quality of life in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Event attendees honored Jessie-Black for her work with PTA Thrift Shop, the Chamber, the Foundation for a Sustainable Community, and Dress for Success. Attendees also applauded Jessie-Black's work in child advocacy and sustainability.
The town and gown award is presented annually by the Chamber to individuals who foster mutually beneficial relationships among Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the university. Award winners demonstrate a commitment to civic affairs and leadership in cultivating the relationship among faculty, staff, students, government officials, citizens and the business community. Attendees honored Paolicelli and Steinbacher for their leadership of Touch Downtown Chapel Hill, an initiative to promote Chapel Hill, Carrboro and local businesses to more than 60,000 fans in town on football Saturdays and increase visitors' local spending.
The Irene Briggaman lifetime achievement award is presented on occasion to an individual who demonstrates a lifetime of exceptional public service and volunteerism in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, in multiple capacities and with different organizations. The award is only given when a nominee's consistent volunteerism and service have profound, long-term impact on Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
Attendees honored Howes for his integral role in Chapel Hill-Carrboro civic life since 1970. Howes served on Chapel Hill Town Council for 12 years, was elected mayor twice and led initiatives including construction of the current Chapel Hill library, preservation of greenways and parklands, and joint planning agreements with the university, Orange County and Durham. Howes also served on Governor James B. Hunt Jr.'s cabinet as secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources. Howes now serves as special assistant to the university chancellor and will retire in December.
The citizen of the year award is presented annually to an individual who demonstrates that leadership and citizenship are essential ingredients to Chapel Hill and Carrboro's well being. Candidates must embrace both qualities through service to civic or charitable organizations, through elected office or appointed position, and through encouragement of business ethics and commitment to excellence.
Attendees honored Foy with the Chamber's highest honor for an individual in our community. Foy served the Town of Chapel Hill as a councilman and mayor for 12 years. His time in office is marked by significant improvement in the relationship between the university and Town of Chapel Hill, implementation and expansion of Chapel Hill's fare-free transit system, and stewardship of the town's growth. Foy succeeded in bringing the university and town together to review and approve Carolina North. And Foy's efforts helped Chapel Hill earn accolades including the U.S. Conference of Mayor's highest award, "the most livable city in America."
"We came together Friday -- more than 150 of us -- business and community leaders, elected officials and government staff, volunteers, friends and family to celebrate," said Aaron Nelson, Chamber president and CEO. "Our award winners set a high bar with their achievement and dedication," Nelson said. "The fact that so many of us gathered Friday is testimony to our broad community support for service and volunteerism."
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce serves and advances the business interests of Chamber members and supports the mission of the Chamber Foundation for a Sustainable Community -- to support the investment of business and community resources to promote the triple bottom line of community sustainability: environmental stewardship, social equity and economic prosperity. For more information, visit www.carolinachamber.org.
