McALESTER —
The Southeast Expo Center was the site for the Annual Chamber Banquet 2013.
Several hundred people gathered for the black and white themed event called “A Crystal Evening.”
The event opened with Pastor Tim Russell of the First Baptist Church McAlester leading in a prayer for the victims of the recent Eaglemed helicopter crash in Oklahoma City that claimed the lives of the pilot and the nurse and left one survivor.
Chamber Chairman David Keith kicked off the evening’s events with a history of the Chamber of Commerce, introductions and acknowledgment of the Chamber’s sponsors.
The event included dinner, silent auction, awards and speaker Chad Wilkerson of the Federal Reserve.
Wilkerson discussed the effects of sequestration on the nation and on Pittsburg County.
Wilkerson explained the impact of sequestration and said Oklahoma faces a larger exposure to sequestration because of the effect on the four main industries and employers in Oklahoma including, government, municipalities, mining and manufacturing.
Also during the dinner, Tanaye Harvanek chamber president presented awards to the following Chamber members:
Large Business of the Year, McDonald's; Small Business of the Year, Auld Family Dentistry; Business Man of the Year, Scott Walker of Shared Blessings; Business Woman of the Year, Janet Wansick of EOSC; and Young Professional of the Year, Stephanie Giacomo of Pride in McAlester.
Also an Honorary Business of the Year award was given to the McAlester Fire Department.
The awards presentation culminated with Harvanek presenting Giacomo with a check for $2,500 in matching funds for a grant to restore the OKLA Theater in downtown McAlester.
Contact Jeanne LeFlore at jleflore@mcalesternews.com.
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