Kosciusko Chamber Honors Lavender and Truex
January 19, 2018 at 9:53 p.m.
Joy Lavender and Ron Truex were named Woman and Man of the Year, respectively, at the 106th annual Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner Thursday night.
Lavender was praised for her community spirit and willingness to donate her time.
She has served on the boards of the Health Care Foundation of Kosciusko County, the Festival of Trees and the Warsaw Christian Business Women’s Association, the Lakeland Christian Academy Parent-Teacher Fellowship, and the LCA Executive Board, which she also chaired, according to Gary Gerard, general manager of the Times-Union, who recapped her career.
Lavender is especially known for her past role at LCA where she worked as a director and principal.
According to a nominator, “She cared for all the students at the school as if they were her own children, celebrating their victories and successes as well as holding students accountable when they missed measuring up to expectations.”
Another added, “The students she reached in the 12 years at Lakeland are far better off because she was in their lives.”
In her spare time, she’s been active in the Warsaw Morning Optimist Club. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School over the years and also volunteered in the nursery at Warsaw Community Church. She participates in Women’s Bible Study with a large group of women from churches throughout the county.
She also served as the county representative for U.S. Rep. John Hiler during his time in Congress and served as 3rd precinct committeeman for 10 years.
“I’ve always been impressed with how influential and persuasive she has been in a rather low-key way. She garners respect wherever she goes because of her ability to see a wide variety of points of view She has always been forward thinking," said one nominator.
Truex, who recently retired from a 17-year stint as a Kosciusko County commissioner, was lauded for his contributions by Doug Baumgardner, an executive at 1st Source Bank in Warsaw.
Truex was described as having a keen sense of dedication to civic service who was able to make solid decisions based on feedback and counsel.
One nominator said he cares deeply about the communities in Kosciusko County and the people who live in them.
Another nominator said, “He was a true representative of the people he served and treated the position with that attitude. He not only served as our commissioner but sat on many more boards that were connected to the county.”
“Despite the fact that his time is most valuable, our Man of the Year always takes time to listen, share his knowledge and provide guidance and encouragement,” Baumgardner said.
Among his attributes were the leadership skills in dealing with contentious issues impacting county businesses such as the wheel tax, Milford Industrial Park, the Louis-Dreyfuss Plant and Eli Lilly Road.
As a commissioner, Truex took on the role of sitting on 11 boards, including the Kosciusko County Drainage Board, the Lakeland Regional Sewer District, the Kosciusko County Economic Development Commission, the Solid Waste Management District Board, The Citizens Action Committee and Kosciusko County Crime Stoppers – where he was a founding member.
He is the president of Creighton Brothers, where he has worked for 47 years.
Both recipients expressed shock at their selections and thanked those responsible for helping them be in a position to receive the award.
The chamber also announced a series of annual awards to individuals, companies and groups. Those include:
• The Business of the Year Award went to Splendor Boats, Silver Lake.
• The Young Adult Professional of the Year Award went to Kelsi Griffith from Grace College & Seminary.
• The Government Excellence Award went to State Sen. Ryan Mishler.
• The Making a Difference Award was given to Baker Youth Club.
• The Health and Wellness in the Community Award went to Zimmer Biomet.
• The Rising Star Award, given to Kosciusko County’s highest performing new company, went to Owl Manor Medical.
• The Environment and Sustainability Award went to Washington STEM Academy.
• The Ambassador of the Year Award was given to Doug Hanes from First Federal Savings Bank, and Nola Hudson from Beacon Credit Union.
Joy Lavender and Ron Truex were named Woman and Man of the Year, respectively, at the 106th annual Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner Thursday night.
Lavender was praised for her community spirit and willingness to donate her time.
She has served on the boards of the Health Care Foundation of Kosciusko County, the Festival of Trees and the Warsaw Christian Business Women’s Association, the Lakeland Christian Academy Parent-Teacher Fellowship, and the LCA Executive Board, which she also chaired, according to Gary Gerard, general manager of the Times-Union, who recapped her career.
Lavender is especially known for her past role at LCA where she worked as a director and principal.
According to a nominator, “She cared for all the students at the school as if they were her own children, celebrating their victories and successes as well as holding students accountable when they missed measuring up to expectations.”
Another added, “The students she reached in the 12 years at Lakeland are far better off because she was in their lives.”
In her spare time, she’s been active in the Warsaw Morning Optimist Club. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School over the years and also volunteered in the nursery at Warsaw Community Church. She participates in Women’s Bible Study with a large group of women from churches throughout the county.
She also served as the county representative for U.S. Rep. John Hiler during his time in Congress and served as 3rd precinct committeeman for 10 years.
“I’ve always been impressed with how influential and persuasive she has been in a rather low-key way. She garners respect wherever she goes because of her ability to see a wide variety of points of view She has always been forward thinking," said one nominator.
Truex, who recently retired from a 17-year stint as a Kosciusko County commissioner, was lauded for his contributions by Doug Baumgardner, an executive at 1st Source Bank in Warsaw.
Truex was described as having a keen sense of dedication to civic service who was able to make solid decisions based on feedback and counsel.
One nominator said he cares deeply about the communities in Kosciusko County and the people who live in them.
Another nominator said, “He was a true representative of the people he served and treated the position with that attitude. He not only served as our commissioner but sat on many more boards that were connected to the county.”
“Despite the fact that his time is most valuable, our Man of the Year always takes time to listen, share his knowledge and provide guidance and encouragement,” Baumgardner said.
Among his attributes were the leadership skills in dealing with contentious issues impacting county businesses such as the wheel tax, Milford Industrial Park, the Louis-Dreyfuss Plant and Eli Lilly Road.
As a commissioner, Truex took on the role of sitting on 11 boards, including the Kosciusko County Drainage Board, the Lakeland Regional Sewer District, the Kosciusko County Economic Development Commission, the Solid Waste Management District Board, The Citizens Action Committee and Kosciusko County Crime Stoppers – where he was a founding member.
He is the president of Creighton Brothers, where he has worked for 47 years.
Both recipients expressed shock at their selections and thanked those responsible for helping them be in a position to receive the award.
The chamber also announced a series of annual awards to individuals, companies and groups. Those include:
• The Business of the Year Award went to Splendor Boats, Silver Lake.
• The Young Adult Professional of the Year Award went to Kelsi Griffith from Grace College & Seminary.
• The Government Excellence Award went to State Sen. Ryan Mishler.
• The Making a Difference Award was given to Baker Youth Club.
• The Health and Wellness in the Community Award went to Zimmer Biomet.
• The Rising Star Award, given to Kosciusko County’s highest performing new company, went to Owl Manor Medical.
• The Environment and Sustainability Award went to Washington STEM Academy.
• The Ambassador of the Year Award was given to Doug Hanes from First Federal Savings Bank, and Nola Hudson from Beacon Credit Union.