TIPP CITY – Dr. Jim Ranft’s voice cracked as he struggled to finish reading a heartfelt tribute to his friend and business partner at Tipp Eye Center, Dr. Andrew Davidson. Describing Davidson as “more like a brother than a business partner,” Ranft introduced the recipient of Tipp City’s 2009 Citizen of the Year Award at the Wednesday night Holiday Gala hosted by the Tipp City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Davidson, age 56 and a Tipp resident for 43 years, was honored for his involvement in all facets of Tipp City life including the schools, the Chamber and, of course, the medical community. The local Optometrist has worked closely with Chamber officials in order to provide quality eye care for those who may not be able to afford it. He has also been a strong supporter of the school’s STEAM program, emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
The Dec. 2 Gala, held at the Crystal Room in Troy, brought together Tipp City’s elected officials, business leaders, and involved citizens in what Chamber President/CEO Matt Owen described as “the one night a year when I can get you all in a room together and brief you on where we’ve been and where we’re headed…” Dee Gillis, 2009 Board Chairman recapped a year of many successes including a new logo design, several new member programs (HR Council, Small Business Luncheon and HYPE), over a dozen networking and professional development events and revamping the Chamber by-laws.
Owen made good use of the festivities, presenting not only the Citizen of the Year Award, but awards for Young Professional of the Year, Business of the Year, and Small Business of the Year. He introduced the 2010 Chamber Board and said farewell to the three outgoing board members, Sue Amlin, Jim Ranft and Mike McDermott. A new addition to this year’s Gala was the introduction of the Chamber’s first-ever Legacy Award, which went to long-time businessman and resident Phil Wampler.
A blend of silent and live auctions raised more than $4,000 which will go toward a variety of Chamber activities and efforts throughout the year.
Following the Citizens of the Year presentation, Chamber board member Michael van Haaren introduced the Young Professional of the Year. This year’s recipient, Lori Spencer, is a Tipp native who has been active in the community for many years. Spencer was the co-founder and creative force behind the popular Tipp City Farmer’s Market. She is the Marketing Director for Process Equipment Company, and founder of her own web design company. She is also Chairman of Child Care Choices.
Small Business of the Year honors went to the Tipp City-based non-profit, The American Veterans Institute. Founders Mike Jackson, Lt Col, USAF (ret) and Tara Dixon-Engel accepted the award, with Dixon-Engel telling the crowd “this award does not belong to us…it belongs to everyone in this room who has ever served this country.” Jackson, a fifth generation Tipp Citian, pointed out that AVI’s programming is nationwide in scope “but everything we do starts and ends right here in Tipp City. There simply isn’t a better place to do business or raise a family.”
Selected as the Business of the Year was Harrison’s, a popular local eatery that was started by Mary Seto Miller, owner of Dayton’s famed Barnsider Restaurant. Nominator Mike McDermott described the restaurant as an active community partner, supporting such causes as breast cancer awareness, leukemia, the veterans memorial and Tippecanoe Canal Jumpers. McDermott further praised Harrison’s for hiring only school-age workers who maintain an A or B average. He noted that the restaurant is known for both its high quality food and its evening entertainment.
The final presentation of the night, the Chamber’s new Legacy Award, went to Indiana-transplant Phil Wampler whose father settled in Tipp City in 1935 and started Wampler Plumbing. Phil and his wife, Pat, have been active in the community for many years, with Pat devoting 32 years to the Tipp City Board of Education and Phil serving 30 years on the Park Board. Phil took over his father’s plumbing company after the senior Wampler’s untimely death in 1958. Phil has also been an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, and is a past president, as well as past president of the Tipp City Rotary Club. On Oct. 16 of this year Wampler sold his long-time plumbing business to another local company, Ed’s Heating & Cooling. Wampler’s reputation extended well beyond Tipp City, courtesy of his involvement in a variety of trade associations, including serving as President of the Ohio Plumbing Association.
Mayor Tim Evans introduced and swore in a new crop of Chamber board members, which included Phil Cox, Chairman of the Phillip G. Cox Agency, Tony Greene, Chairman Elect of Monroe Federal, Robin Shafer, First Vice Chairman, of SpringMeade, Pam Catalano, Treasurer of National City Bank, Dee Gillis, Immediate Past Chair of the City Council – Tipp City, Zach Jacobs of Fifth-Third Bank, Michael van Haaren, Chris Wampler of AO Smith and Matt Wrhel of Gardens Alive. New board members who were welcomed into the fold were Michelle Hertz of Proforma Vision Marketing, Larry Lemonds of REMAX Professionals and Simon Patry of Dysinger & Associates
Incoming Board Chairman Phil Cox and President Owen honored outgoing Chairman Gillis for her service. “Dee is a very dedicated servant to not only our business community, but as a City Council member.” Said Owen, “She has done a tremendous job leading the chamber and getting things done.” Phil Cox discussed the upcoming year that includes a “Tipp Business Expo” that will feature a Job Fair and a Taste of Tipp.
The evening ended with a thank-you from Matt Owen, who noted “This is such a wonderful event for the Tipp City business community. I want to thank the chamber board of directors, the committee volunteers and the wonderful members of the Chamber for making 2009 a success. I want to send out a special thank you to the Robin Shafer, the Holiday Gala Chair and the Gala committee for putting together such a outstanding event.”
Media Contact: Matt Owen, 937-667-8300
