2026 Awards Banquet: Celebrating 30 Years of Service with Tamara Coleman

Good evening, everyone.  For those of you who do not know me, my name is Brenda Jordan, immediate past president and current board member of the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber.  I am not on the agenda and without looking at her, I am quite positive Tammi is wondering… What is she doing? Why is she up there right now? This is not on tonight’s schedule!! 

We are here tonight to recognize community leaders, community legacies, and community accomplishments.  We are going to start off these awards with one that deserves more than I will be able to put into words tonight. 

What is a chamber? What does a chamber do? How does a chamber help businesses? What is the mission of a chamber? How do you join a chamber? What benefits come with being a chamber member? All of these questions we have all asked or have been asked at some point. I can tell you ONE person who can answer every single question without hesitation, full of confidence, knowledge, and experience. 

At this time, I would like a little bit of participation from you all.  While I know some of these remarkable individuals are no longer with us, I am still going to acknowledge them.  When I call your name, please stand and remain until instructed. Gary Whitener, Teri Kinsey, Bruce Neil, Keith Biship, Glenda Straughn, Bob Peine, Beverly Cooper, Shelley Bush, Kelly Valle, Debbie Thomure, Shawn Grindstaff, and Joe Easter. These individuals were the board of directors in 1996. The board that hired our very own Chamber director Tamara Coleman. 

Andy Inman, TJ Isgrig, Josh Kennon, Yvette Smith, Joe Gilgour, Glenda Straughn, Chris Hulsey, Zech Payne, Brenda Jordan, Jamie Luster, Brooke Maynard, Docc Nutter, Zach Franklin, and Dustin Mckinney would you please join them in standing.  If there are any attendees here that served on the board from 1996-2026, please stand.

Tammi -  take a look around the room.  While there are so many of us who have contributed to the path of where we are now, the one constant that has been with us for 30 YEARS is you.  (you can be seated)

February 12, 1996, Tamara Coleman was hired to be the director of this wonderful chamber we now know as the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce.  For three decades, she has had 109 directors serve on the board over the course of the last 30 years. If you ask her, she will say are her “bosses”. For those that have not served on the board.. this is extremely inaccurate. SHE is the true leader of this organization.  

The Chamber Banquet, Spring Flings, Western Horse Shows, Softball tournaments, carnivals, a Foster Children’s Christmas Party, a motorcycle race, the Flat River Grand Prix, The Firecracker Run, Sweetheart Trivia, The Christmas Parade, the City wide yard sale, Sauces and Shows, Trunk or Treat, and many more.. oh wait.  We can’t forget the Hump Day BBQ… some of us are still hoping that comes back one day..

First Friday coffees, business after hours, ribbon cuttings, newsletters, brochures, city maps, the ambassador program, meet the candidates, state of the county, the scholarship program.. I could go on and on, but honestly, there is no way I can remember them all.  What I do know is there is one common denominator..

You Tammi. The organization, the details, the curve balls, the weather, the scheduling, the regrouping.  All of these things you have handled with professionalism, expertise, and heart.  For 30 years, you have grown this chamber from 60 members to nearly 200. The accomplishments and strength of this chamber are a direct reflection of your dedication and commitment to our businesses, our community, our chamber. You have helped build a community of individuals and businesses to grow and invest in not only our area, but our youth. Our future leaders. You are an amazing role model and example of what it means to be a Chamber Director. A pillar of our community. A true leader. Your determination, dedication, and sacrifices you have made for each of us is immeasurable and deeply appreciated.

Tammi Coleman - The lives you have touched, the business you have helped, the community you have dedicated 30 years to are all around you.  We are grateful for you. We appreciate you. And now, please join us in HONORING YOU for 30 years of dedication to the Park Hills Leadington Chamber of Commerce.