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Chamber Names Award Winners

Tribune photo by LOIS KINDLE

Deforest Brown of Brown Comfort Systems accepts the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce's Business of the Year Award from Kitty Cunningham, left, and Tanya Doran.

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By LOIS KINDLE

lkindle@tampatrib.com

Published: February 11, 2009

RIVERVIEW - Before a crowd of 187 members and guests, the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce recently honored its own. The cause for celebration was the chamber's 2008 annual Membership & Awards Dinner at the International Independent Showmen's Association.

"The night was full of excitement and fun," said Tanya Doran, the chamber's new executive director. Already looking ahead to next year's awards dinner, she said, "The chamber has many creative minds and a wealth of talent to draw upon. I'm positive it will be an event not to miss."

After a buffet dinner, entertainment by Riverview High School's Candy Apples and Vision Show Choir - and a special performance by Billy "Elvis" Lindsey - winners were announced in five categories: Business of the Year, Business Person of the Year, Ambassador of the Year, Margy Watkins Volunteer of the Year and Riverview Citizen of the Year.

The ceremony also included a tribute to outgoing executive director Kitty Cunningham, who retired after three years of service; a year-in-review report by outgoing President Billie Gordon; installation of Jill Andrew, Gordon's replacement; introduction and installation of the chamber's 2009 board; and the naming of the new honorary mayor of Riverview, Aaron Fredricks, 27, owner of East Coast Pizza.

During the past 41/2 months, Fredricks vied for the role with Christa Jerome of New York Life Insurance by hosting a variety of fundraisers throughout the community. The two raised $15,973, half of which will go to their charities of choice and the remainder to the chamber.

That means Fredricks, who collected $10,181 to win the honorary mayor title, will present a check for $5,090.50 to the young woman who was attacked outside Bloomingdale Regional Library in Brandon in April. His fundraising efforts included a barbecue, golf outing, wine tasting and pasta dinner.

"Several of my employees are friends of the attack victim, and I felt I was in a good position to help," Fredericks said.

Jerome will give half of her take, $2,896, to the Boys & Girls Club of Riverview.

2008 AWARD WINNERS

Business of the Year: Brown Comfort Systems

Business Person of the Year: Walt Vickers

Ambassador of the Year: Joe Eletto

Volunteer of the Year: Donna Fore

Riverview Citizen of the Year: Jim Johnson

2009 BOARD/STAFF

Ed Booth, Sherri Walker, Billie Gordon, Annette Bilyeu, Jeanne Bush, Joe Eletto, Ryan Esto, Donna Fore, Jim Johnson, Earl Lennard, Diana Niles, Carol Todd and Bert Wallin

New president: Jill Andrew

Outgoing president: Billie Gordon

Executive director: Tanya Doran

Executive assistant: Laurie Conover

Administrative assistant: Sandra Rounds

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553. To view a photo gallery of the event, go to southshore.tbo.com and enter the search words: Riverview Chamber Awards.

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