Gettin' Down and Derby
Dayton Chamber Banquet
Attendees clad in their very best derby attire at the Dayton Chamber Banquet enjoy a hand of blackjack.
Photos by The Vindicator | Ariel Turner Constance Onemany and Annette Self smile big for the camera.
JTT Towing having a great time at the banquet.
The Dayton Chamber Board of Directors are Howie Howeth, Dr. Constance Onemany, Jennifer Garcia, Stacey Herrington, Sherrie Schmidt, Sherisa Hoy, Lucas Gaskamp, Bill Monk, Gabrielle Keene and Jeff Johnston, with Chamber Director Jessica Sims. Jordan Thibodeaux and Meadow Noyer are not pictured.
Incoming board member Jennifer Garcia with Lee College is introduced.
District Clerk Delia Sellers, former County Commissioner Toby Wilburn, Dianne Brazell, former Treasurer Winn Skidmore, candidate for County Court at Law Judge No. 1 Michelle Mangum-Merendino and her husband Jared sharing lots of laughs and conversation.
Mckenzie Turner, Stephanie Johnson, Bill and Suzanne Reid having a great time.
JTT Towing having a great time at the banquet.
Jimmie Bear Cullars accepted the award for Bear Plumbing as Service Business of the Year. Will Carter from US Congressman Brian Babin’s office presents Cullars with a certificate of recognition.
Dayton VFD Chief Chad Gladfelter is named the Dayton Chamber Volunteer of the year for his service to the community. Will Carter from US Congressman Brian Babin’s office presents Gladfelter with a certificate of recognition.
Tammy Alexander was honored for her service as an outgoing board member of the Dayton Chamber. Nellie Lunsford was also honored, but not able to attend.
Fun at the blackjack tables at the Dayton Chamber Banquet.
Cliff Richey, owner of Thrif-tee Food Center is inducted into the Dayton Chamber Hall of Fame.
Tasha Childress and Victoria Good came all the way from Cleveland for the banquet.
Saturday evening, it was a derby affair as the mint juleps flowed, and attendees were adorned in their Churchill Downs bests for the 21st Annual Dayton Chamber Banquet presented by Sterling Funeral Homes.
It was quite the event, with everyone having a great time with candid conversation and many laughs on the biggest night of the year for Dayton’s business community. Entertainment was sponsored by Chicken Express, as guests hit the tables for some exciting card play while enjoying light appetizers sponsored by CMC Railroad.
After a wonderful meal catered by Marsala’s Italian Grill, the evening turned to some very special awards recognizing Dayton’s best over the past year.
Dayton VFD Chief Chad Gladfelter was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award for his dedication and service to the community.
Next up was Bear Plumbing as the Best Service Business Award Winner, with Jimmie Bear Cullars accepting. Best Retail Business Award went to Brookshire Bros.
The Chamber honored Amanda Wessels as Ambassador of the Year. Wessels is a Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.
Finally, the Chamber inducted the newest member to the Dayton Chamber Hall of Fame, with longtime Dayton businessman Cliff Richey of Thrif-tee Food Center being honored for everything he has and continues to do for the community.
The presenting sponsor for the event was Sterling Funeral Homes. The food table sponsor was Thrif-tee Food Center. Wine and whiskey Bear Plumbing and Tire Service Specialist, LLC. Mint julep sponsors Sullins & Johnston, Attorneys at Law, and OmniPoint Health. Raffle sponsors MobilOil CU and Woods Automotive. Dessert sponsor Liberty County Farm Bureau – Baret Stephenson. Appetizer sponsor CMC Railroad. Photobooth sponsors Dayton Community Development Corporation, Precision Lawns, and Houston Methodist – Baytown. Decoration sponsors were the City of Dayton, Judge Tommy Chambers – For Liberty County Court At Law, Lee Chambers – Liberty County Clerk, BJ Ford, and Prosperity Bank.
Award sponsors were Entergy, August Blush Boutique, Crossroads DCJR, Williamson Gas, The Broken Plank Photo Boards & More, The Vindicator, Mainframe 24HR Wrecker, Physio – Dayton, Miranda Hulvey – For Liberty County District Clerk, Juan Carranco State Farm, and Allegiance Bank.
The silent auction was sponsored by Susan Simmons, Mayor Caroline & Larry Wadzeck, State Rep. Ernest Bailes, Tarver Abstract Co., Health Center of Southeast TX, Jay & Jan Knight, Mainframe 24 HR Wrecker, Berkeley Eye Center, Sullins & Johnston Attorneys at Law, Bear Plumbing, Coburn Supply Co., Soul Child Coffee, Dr. Onemany – Cardinal Dental, Tonya Smikal, Ripkowski Insurance, Sherri Schmidt – Texas Diamond Realty, August Blush Boutique, Kathy Cochran – Mary Kay Senior Beauty Consultant, and JTT Towing & Storage.