Chamber lauds business leaders
The Butler County Chamber of Commerce celebrated 2017 business accomplishments and leadership during its annual Celebrate Business dinner Wednesday.
The dinner, which was held at the Robert M. Smith Student Center at Slippery Rock University, honored local business people and this year's Leadership Butler County class.
This year, the award for the Entrepreneur of the Year was given to Merril Moses of Moses Jewelers in Butler and Cranberry Township.
The William A. Morgan Jr. Entrepreneur of the Year Award, which is named after the late Butler businessman who owned a number of businesses and properties, including the Morgan Center office complex in downtown Butler, is given each year to a local business owner.
The recipient is chosen by the chamber's Past President's Advisory Council along with past award recipients.
Moses said he was surprised and humbled by the honor of the award.
“It's a matter of being good and honest. Everything else is secondary. You'll be successful if you do those things,” Moses said.
Business champion
This year's Chamber Business Champion Award was given to Thompson-Miller Funeral Home for its ongoing focus on helping families celebrate life and morn the loss of someone loved.
Thompson-Miller Funeral Home was founded by Thompson brothers, R. Glenn Thompson and Dean D. Thompson in 1927.
Glenn Miller, Thompson-Miller owner, said the award was an honor for his entire family.
“This award from this group of people is quite a thrill because they're all business people and business leaders. To be able to give back to the community, which is why we're being honored, that's what we do. As a family, we're honored to receive the award.” Miller said.
Leadership class
During the annual dinner, the Leadership Butler County Class of 2017 was presented along with this year's class community project.
Each year, the class of about 20 business people meets once a month to build effective community leaders by participating in team-building and skill-building programs. The members become familiar with each other as a group and as individual leaders of the community.
This year's Leadership project was to establish a Butler County Youth Leadership Program (BCYLP) which will provide 30 Butler County high school juniors with exposure to issues, resources and opportunities for service.
Beginning this school year, the inaugural class of students will be educated on the concept of community leadership, career development, and skills required to be effective leaders.
Philip White, leadership co-chairman, said the Leadership Class was proud of its work in creating the BCYLP as a legacy project for the community.
“We grew as a group and we're very proud of the project,” White said. “We were given and opportunity and a gift to pass this experience on and carry it forward.”
State Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, who attended the event and presented the award winners with state senate proclamations, said the annual event is always a positive way of celebrating the business community and its impact on the community at large.
“This is such a positive event for Butler County and the entire community as we celebrate both our upcoming leaders as well as those who have spent a lifetime making the Butler County community a great place to live, work and raise a family,” Hutchinson said.
“Our entire community congratulates the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home and Merril Moses for their outstanding lifetime work in making Butler County a special place.
“Thanks to them for standing up as business people who care about their community. Not only do they share their talent to run their businesses but they go the extra mile and make our community better.”
