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Rowlett chamber honors former executive director with top award
By Ann Marie Shambaugh, Staff Writer
The Rowlett Chamber of Commerce posthumously honored former Executive Director Mary Alice Ethridge with its most prestigious award Wednesday night at its annual awards celebration at Eastern Hills Country Club in Garland.
The audience gave Ethridge a standing ovation as her husband, Robert Ethridge, accepted the Big “R” Pacesetter Award on behalf of his wife, who died last week after a battle with colon cancer. The award is given for outstanding leadership, long-term service and contribution to the growth of Rowlett.
Robert Ethridge concisely thanked the chamber with a simple sentence.
Chamber board member and past president Mike McCallum presented the award. He said that Ethridge n who worked as the chamber’s executive director for more than 20 years n enjoyed working behind the scenes and that she never sought the spotlight.
“She didn’t talk about what she did. She just did it,” McCallum said.
Chick-fil-A took home the honor of Business of the Year. Chamber board member David Butler presented the award, and he said that the restaurant demonstrated community support in various ways n from setting up booths at events to sponsoring a fund raiser for the city’s efforts to be named an All-America City.
“It’s a great honor to receive this award from such a dedicated group,” Rowlett Chick-fil-A operator Becky Encinia said.
The chamber’s first president, Vernon Schrade, presented the award named in his honor: the Vernon Schrade Heritage Hall of Fame award. The award is given to a person who dedicated their life to the betterment of Rowlett.
Chamber charter member Bobby Roan n who has been active in several organizations in the community n earned the honor. He said that he has enjoyed watching the city grow over the years.
“Rowlett has done very well, and I’m proud to live here and be member of this chamber,” Roan said.
Former mayor Buddy Wall earned the Biff Bettencourt Outstanding Service Award, which recognizes dedicated service to the community. Wall’s daughters, Shannon DeWees and Kristen Wall, accepted the award on his behalf.
“He has loved the city of Rowlett and he has felt very fortunate to serve the Rowlett community and be a part of it for so many years,” Sharon DeWees said.
Other awards included the Ambassador of the Year, which went to Robbie Ryan, and Corporate Sponsor of the Year, which went to Wal-Mart.
Leadership Rowlett Class XVIII graduated during the celebration. The 10-member class met monthly to learn about Rowlett’s history, government and issues and to encourage them to become more involved in the community.
Committee chair and facilitator David Watlington encouraged the graduates to embrace the lessons learned through Leadership Rowlett and make a difference in the community.
“Regardless of your style, be a leader and lead,” Watlington told the class.
The ceremony also included recognition of past chamber presidents and the 2008-2009 board of directors and comments from chairman Scott Airitam.
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