The Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce functions at the convergence of business, education, public service and community. At the height of awards season in the country each year, the Chamber recognizes those whose contributions to the quality of life in our communities in the past year were among the particularly notable.

Phil Crowell, will be honored with the 2012 Public Service Leadership Award. Once known to school kids in Auburn simply as Officer Friendly, Crowell rose through the ranks of the Auburn Police Department to become its chief. While serving as chief, Crowell was also tapped to function as assistant city manager and as acting city manager, while maintaining the effectiveness and integrity of the police department and ensuring that it continued to serve the interests of the citizens of Auburn. Throughout, Chief Crowell has earned the continuing respect of his department, of a succession of elected officials, municipal officials, law enforcement officials statewide, and the deep appreciation of the people of Auburn.

Established in 2004, the Small Business Advocate Award was named in honor of the late Ken Additon, a long-time banker and community advocate who provided vital counsel to scores of small businesses that have become part of the fabric of the community. The award is conferred to those who best embody the spirit with which Additon was infused. A great friend to the Chamber, the small business community, his clients and legions of personal friends, all past recipients of this award have cited Additon’s inspiration as the source of their own motivation. The 2012 award will be presented to the Lewiston CareerCenter, which provides local businesses with free employment recruitment, hiring, and training, as well as helping individuals achieve productive positions in the community.

Introduced in 2010, the Cool Chamber Award recognizes those who have made a significant difference in reducing energy usage and preserving resources. Since 1945, the IRC Industrial Roofing companies have helped their customers build, retrofit and maintain facilities in ways which optimize performance, energy efficiency, durability, and access to new technologies, including solar arrays. They have won numerous awards for positive environmental contributions and have become an LEED-certified contractor, as well.

The 2012 Education Award will be presented to Healthy Androscoggin, which was created in 1995 as Tobacco Free L-A, a grassroots group of community members and organizations working to reduce tobacco use in the greater Lewiston-Auburn area. Since then, the organization has grown to include nearly 300 coalition members and over 2,300 subscribers and has broadened its focus to include exercising, eating well and the prevention of substance abuse. It continues to help improve the quality of life for everyone in this community.

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