By: Brenda Brumfield—
Muncie, IN– The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce held its 123rd Annual Meeting on October 19, 2017 with more than 300 business and community leaders in attendance. The event, held at the Horizon Convention Center, is the Chamber’s annual meeting and awards event.
Chamber Board Chair Margaret Kirkpatrick Sikora led the report to members on the accomplishments of the prior year.
The Chamber presented the Spirit of Small Business Award to Elm Street Brewing Company. Elm Street Brewing Company has transformed an abandoned industrial building in Downtown Muncie and made it a destination location.
The Spirit of Small Business Award was presented to Elm Street Brewing Company. Photo by: Kyle Evens, Berwyn Studios
Cornerstone Center for the Arts was recognized with the Chamber’s Outstanding Contribution to Education Award. Cornerstone offers over 100 arts education programs for the citizens of Muncie, Delaware County, and beyond.
The Outstanding Contribution to Education Award was presented to Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Photo by: Kyle Evens, Berwyn Studios
The Whitely Community Council was named the recipient of the Chamber’s Excellence in Public Service Award. The Whitely Council has worked tirelessly to enhance the Whitely Neighborhood and they recently received national recognition at the Neighborhood, USA Conference in May of this year.
The Excellence in Public Service Award was presented to the Whitely Community Council. Photo by: Kyle Evens, Berwyn Studios
The Chamber’s Community Impact Award was presented to The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, Inc. for their visionary leadership in our community.
The Community Impact Award was presented to The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, Inc. Photo by: Kyle Evens, Berwyn Studios
The Ball Brothers Foundation also presented their seventh Fisher Governance Award to John Craddock. Craddock was nominated by the Community Enhancement Projects.
Incoming Board Chair Chris Caldwell, recognized outgoing Board Chair Margaret Kirkpatrick Sikora for her service over the past year. Outgoing chamber board members were recognized for their service to the Board.
They included:
John Littler, retired;
Casey Stanley, Ontario Systems;
Cheri` O’Neill, Ball State University Foundation.
Board leadership for the 2017 – 2018 year was introduced. In addition to Caldwell, MutualBank,
Chair-elect will be Dr. Andrew Bowne, Ivy Tech Community College;
Jeff Parsons, First Merchants Bank will be the Vice Chair of Operations;
Steve Smith, Mid-West Metal, will serve as Vice Chair of Economic Development;
Scott Smalstig, Meridian Health Services will serve as Vice Chair for Community & Government Relations;
J Chapman, Woof Boom Radio Group will serve as Vice Chair for Community Environment; and
Magi Kirkpatrick Sikora, Estep Doctor & Company will remain on the Board as Immediate Past Chair.
Additionally new members of the Board were also introduced.
They include:
Judy Benken, Normandy Flower Shop
Maureen McCarthy, Ball State University
Tom Miller, STAR Financial Bank
Marcy Minton, The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, Inc.
Frank Scott, Whitely Community Council
Additional Board members include:
Mark Ervin, Beasley Gilkison;
Chris Fancher, Muncie Power Products;
Terry Pence, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital
Kirk Shafer, Meridian Health Services
The Muncie Delaware County Chamber of Commerce has been serving the community since 1894.
