PARIS – Standing ovations and thunderous applause were the order of the night Friday at the 28th annual meeting of the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce. That, and “Holy mackerel!” exclamations from John Williams, outgoing executive director of the chamber.
Williams, an 11-year leader of the chamber, was thanked for his service and commitment in making the organization what it is today by Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. Connors said that Williams has been a great advocate for the Oxford Hills area, and the soul and attitude of the region.
“Our job,” Connors said, “is to find the good in a community and praise it. Find the good in people and celebrate it.”
He then presented Williams with a plaque that recognized the retired chamber director’s leadership qualities of learning, enthusiasm, attitude, dedication, empathy and resilience.
Robin Zinchuk, executive director of the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce, also heaped accolades on Williams, thanking him for being a “wonderful marketer” of the Oxford Hills region.
Master of Ceremonies Chris Delamater then presented Williams with a plaque, a mini-vacation to the Bethel Inn & Country Club and a gift certificate, to which, Williams replied, “Holy mackerel!”
Williams thanked the hundreds in attendance “for the privilege of representing you for all these years.”
“You are the reason I did this, and the only reason I did this,” he added.
Representatives of U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe and U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud also presented Williams with certificates.
“They don’t come any finer than John Williams,” read a statement from Snowe, who also thanked him for working tirelessly on behalf of the chamber.
A statement from Michaud thanked Williams for setting an example for small business in Maine. Maine representatives for the Oxford Hills region also gave Williams a special Legislative Sentiment certificate in “recognition of his wonderful service to the Oxford Hills region,” to which, Williams responded with a second, “holy mackerel!”
Also honored were Lesley Dean, Jean E. Strom, and former state Sen. Rick Bennett of Norway. Dean was presented with awards from the 133rd Engineer Battalion of the Army National Guard for her work in sending Christmas stockings to all 600 members of the unit stationed in the Middle East. In Snowe’s statement, she bestowed Dean with the National Guard Reserve Above and Beyond Award.
Strom, a 20-year employee of Austin Associates, was named 2004 Employee of the Year by the Oxford Hills chamber for her outstanding work ethics and values, true commitment and dedication to her employer.
Owner Steve Austin said Strom has been “the backbone of our office ever since she started working for us.”
Brett Doney, chief executive officer of the Growth Council of Oxford Hills, heaped praise on Bennett for his four years of service in the Maine House and eight years service as a Maine senator, before awarding him the chamber’s Community Service distinction. Bennett said he was “deeply humbled by this award,” and thanked his family for their sacrifices that enabled him to be a public servant.
He also thanked U.S. Sen. Susan M. Collins, who was present.
“I continue to hope that you will come home and be our governor,” Bennett told her, eliciting hearty laughter and applause.
Earlier, Collins, the keynote speaker, spoke at length about the Collins-Lieberman Intelligence Reform bill and how it came to be.
She also recognized the “strong sense of community and strong support of the chamber,” and said she was “proud to join in honoring the dedicated leaders, employers and public servants, the people who make this region a better place to live.”
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