Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Celebrates the Success of 2024 Annual Awards Night

PIKEVILLE, KY (September 16, 2024) – The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce hosted their 2024 Annual Awards Night on Thursday, September 12, 2024.  This year was one of the largest awards banquets in recent years with more than 400 members in attendance and 46 members businesses sponsoring the event.

The evening began with a reception and networking opportunities at 5 pm, and the dinner and the awards celebration began at 6:30 pm. Chamber President & CEO, Jordan Gibson, along with Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, Kansas Justice, led the ceremony. The event included awards presentations, as well as remarks from Mr. Gibson, and Mrs. Justice, and Kentucky State Champion of the National Civics Bee, Ava June Tackett.

There were ten awards presented to recipients this year, listed below.  Also recognized were three businesses who have been longtime members of the Chamber: Economy Drug Co. Inc. with 52 years, Landmark Hotel with 58 years, and Community Trust Bank with 67 years of membership and investment in the Chamber of Commerce. Community Trust Bank has been a member since the Chamber’s inception in 1957.

“Annual Awards Night is our way of celebrating our members and their accomplishments,” said Chamber President & CEO, Jordan Gibson. “We’re so grateful for all the support we have received from our members over the years, and Awards Night is one small way we can give back and let the community know about the great work being done by our members.”

Drs. R.V. and Jyothi Mettu, who received the Citizens of the Year award, remarked, “We both had an amazing experience at Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Night 2024.  We both are very grateful for the recognition and feel honored for this award, Citizens of the Year. It was seamlessly presented, well planned, well organized and well executed program. The video introduction, presentation of the service of the individuals and the local businesses was very informative. It is also impressive to learn how the Chamber supports the local businesses, economic growth with various programs. Mrs. Kansas Justice, Chairwoman and CEO Jordan Gibson have made the Chamber and Annual Awards Night a bright light for our community.”

The following received awards from the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce:

• Volunteer of the Year: Eva Stewart
• Outstanding Contribution by an Organization: Pikeville Area Family YMCA
• Small Business of the Year: A-Z Event Planning
• Service Organization of the Year: Pikeville Rotary Club
• Citizens of the Year: Drs. R.V. and Jyothi Mettu
• Business Person of the Year: Casey Lequire
• Business of the Year: Brown Foodservice
• Business of the Year: Lawson Cancer Center
• Junior Williamson, East Kentucky Ambassador: Joshua Ball
• Lon B. & Mary Evelyn Rogers Lifetime Achievement Award: Cheryl Hickman

Videos and photos from 2024 Annual Awards can be found on the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’ YouTube page at www.youtube.com/sekchamber.

The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is located at 178 College Street in Pikeville and serves more than 500 businesses in eight Eastern Kentucky Counties: Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, and Pike. The Chamber’s mission is to serve the businesses of Southeastern Kentucky through a commitment to networking, advocacy, education, and collaboration as we partner together to enhance the business climate in our region.