Chamber Banquet a Huge Success

The Guthrie Greater Chamber of Commerce celebrated a big 2022 this past Thursday night, with most of Guthrie’s community and business leaders capping off a great year and looking forward to the year to come.

The Chamber held its annual investor banquet at the Meridian Technology Center South Campus in Guthrie last Thursday, with 230 attendees showing up to enjoy food and fellowship and share in Guthrie’s economic and entrepreneurial success over the previous year.

“Our Annual Chamber Banquet is an event we look forward to each year. It’s a wonderful evening full of fun and celebration. It was exciting to look back and see how great 2022 truly was. I’m continually amazed by our community, and I look forward to a great and successful 2023!” said Brittany Timmons, President and CEO of the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce.

Members of the 2023 Board of Directors for the Chamber were introduced. The gavel for the Board Chairperson was passed from Donnita Rogers of Langston University to Menecca Gibbs of Cleveland and Co.

Additionally, the Chamber announced the awards given every year to those who have provided above-and-beyond service to the Guthrie community over the past year. The 2022 award winners were:

• Ambassador of the Year: Kris Kutay

• Volunteer of the Year: Robert “Bob” Beck

• Non-Profit of the Year: Helping Community Paws and Claws

• Small Business of the Year: Dunagan Farms

• Business of the Year: John Vance Auto Group

• Citizen of the Year: Jamie Newton

• 2022 Outstanding Service Award: Leroy Alsup

• 2022 Jon Gumerson Lifetime Achievement Award: John Vance Timmons and various Board members presented the awards, joined by well-known Guthrie personality Chris Evans.

Finally, there was a delicious dinner of steak, grilled shrimp, and several auctions for gift baskets and groups of items donated by Guthrie businesses, and raffles for prizes for the attendees. Jace Dunagan of Dunagan Farms conducted the final auction as live auctioneer, to the enjoyment of all attendees. The auctions raised additional funds for the Guthrie Chamber in support of Guthrie’s businesses, large and small.

Timmons was gracious as always to her sponsors and supporters: “I’d like to thank our sponsors, those who donated to our auction and all the attendees for the support. We truly could not hold this event without you all and I’m so very grateful.”