Clovis Mayor Gayla Brumfield, right, makes a brief acceptance speech after receiving the 2011 Citizen of the Year award at the Clovis Curry County Chamber of Commerce's annual awards banquet on Friday.
The Clovis Curry County Chamber of Commerce's annual awards banquet on Friday brought some of the city's movers and shakers together to celebrate the city's accomplishments in 2011. The highlight of the evening was the 2011 chamber awards.
The following individuals and businesses received awards from the chamber for their service to Clovis:
• Ambassador of the Year Award — Blanca Valdez
"It was so surprising. I had no clue whatsoever. I'm very happy about it; I really love what I do and enjoy it very much. I just wasn't expecting it and I appreciate it very much."
• The Heart Award — Sistar Yancy
"Receiving my award felt great. Knowing it came from the chamber was a plus. I would like to lead more people to Christ this year."
• The Ken Huey Patriot Award — Dave Richards
"Receiving the award was a shock and I was totally unprepared. I would like to keep moving Clovis forward and maintain the relationship with the base."
• Business of the Year — McDonald's (John Snowberger)
"It was a little humbling actually. Being surrounded by the military and all these hard city workers and my family. I want to create more jobs in Clovis through our organization and through the growth of Clovis."
• Chamber Volunteer of the Year Award — Ray Sullivan
"No one gets to where they're going alone. No one gets their awards alone. My department heads give me the time to do that at work and the community is generous enough to go along with some of the ideas so I thank them; it's their honor."
• Lifetime Achievement Award — Hoyt Pattison
"It is a very nice award. I was not anticipating this at all. There's a lot of people who have done a lot in the community and you don't do things in the community for an award. You do things to help folks who are your friends and neighbors."
• Citizen of the Year — Mayor Gayla Brumfield
"I was totally caught off guard. I had no idea. I am just humbled and I love this community. The banquet was one of our shorter ones. We tried to get it done a little quicker. It just shows me what a wonderful community we are and we're moving forward with great things."
Thumbnail sketches of all of the winners and their contributions, according to the chamber:
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- Clovis and Curry County Commissioner Dan Stoddard
- Chamber Executive Director Ernie Kos
- Curry County Manager Lance Pyle
- Curry County Assistant County Manager Connie Harrison
- Clovis Community and Legislative Director Claire Burroughes
Ambassador Spirit Award
Bess Kline
- Chamber Ambassador who died in a tragic Dec. 19 traffic crash west of Clovis.
- Bess and her husband, John were assigned to Cannon AFB in 1966. Clovis became home for them and she became a florist in 1968.
- She was the owner of Klines Korner Floral until she retired in 2003. Bess was inducted into the Florist Hall of Fame in 1995.
- Outgoing chamber President Raymond Mondragon said: "We appreciated the energy, time and especially spirit that Bess brought to the Chamber Ambassadors, the chamber as a whole and the entire community. We will miss her dearly."
Ambassador of the Year
Blanca Valdez
- Presented to the Chamber Ambassador who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to represent the chamber and Chamber Ambassadors.
- A licensed Realtor for the Clovis-Portales area in real estate for over three years at Coldwell Banker Colonial Real Estate.
- Description: "She is a very enthusiastic and committed individual in all aspects of her life relating to family and business."
The Heart Award
Sistar Yancy
- Presented to a citizen for contributing unselfishly to the community.
- More than 30 years a consultant, instructor, counselor and public speaker in a number of institutions, including detention facilities, education institutions, churches, and community organizations .
- Description: "Her motto: Same Mind - Same Result. Change Mind -Change Result. This is what she lives by and shares the same message to all who come in contact with her."
Ken Huey Patriot Award
Dave Richards
- For volunteer service of individuals who go above and beyond to support those stationed at Cannon Air Force Base and to recognize an individual who demonstrates unwavering patriotism and dedication to the military.
- As a partner in the Greig and Richards Law Firm, he supported the Clovis Curry Chamber of Commerce and the Committee of 50 for many years.
- He served as the president of the Committee of 50 on two separate occasions and was the honoree squadron commander for the maintenance squadron for 10 years at Cannon Air Force Base.
Business of the Year
McDonald's — John and Robyn Snowberger
- Presented to a business that makes tremendous impact throughout the year on the economic growth of the community.
- Own and operate McDonald's restaurants in Clovis, Portales, Roswell, Tucumcari and Santa Rosa.
- Their most recently opened restaurant on Prince Street has resulted in over $2 million dollars in sales revenue to the Clovis economy and almost 80 new jobs. Employ approximately 230 people in Clovis alone.
- John Snowberger has received the McDonald's People First Award and the McDonald's My Store Marketing Award for the last eight years (2004-2011), the only operator to win the two awards annually.
Volunteer of the Year
Ray Sullivan
- Presented to an outstanding chamber member who has served the mission and goals of the Clovis Curry County Chamber of Commerce.
- Publisher of Freedom New Mexico parent organization of the Clovis News Journal, Portales News-Tribune, Quay County Sun and numerous other specialty publications.
- Served as president and campaign chairman of United Way of Eastern New Mexico. Also serves on chamber board of directors, Clovis Music Festival Committee, Committee of Fifty, past president of the New Mexico Press Association and is an active Rotarian.
- Under his leadership, over $11,000 was raised during the holiday season for the Salvation Army through the Empty Stocking Fund.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Hoyt Pattison
- For an individual who has invested significant energy, money and resources into our community... who has made a lifetime impact still having an effect in the community.
- Owns and operates Pattison Farms engaged in biomass utilization, alternative energy sources, farm equipment design, inventions and irrigation and water rights.
- Served 21 years in the New Mexico House of Representatives.
- Description: " At the age of 82 he continues to work on issues that he believes in and for the interests of Clovis and Curry County. He has a history of lifetime achievement in Curry County and the City of Clovis."
Citizen of the Year
Gayla Brumfield
• Presented to someone who has served the community in an extraordinary way.
- Mayor of Clovis and a Realtor.
- Key on obtaining financing to complete Hull Street Overpass, helped implement Regional Growth Plan in cooperation with Cannon Air Force Base, obtained $500,000 from the Sisler Foundation to revitalize the Youth Recreation Building at 7th and Sycamore.
- Description: " Mayor Brumfield, a Clovis native, has moved the city of Clovis forward, through hard work, the bonds of friendship and the commitment to getting things done, to ensure Clovis remains at heart 'A Community For Family.'"
