Banquet honors business, education leaders
RUSSELLVILLE — The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and Franklin County Development Authority’s 19th annual Partnership Awards Banquet the contributions of businesses, educators and community leaders in the areas of volunteer service, beautification, business growth, industry and education.
Winning the Sprout Business of the Year award were the “Brew Sisters,” Tasha Bullion, left, and Amber Banks.
Matt Cooper, interim chairman of the Franklin County Development Authority board, said Franklin County businesses saw more than $105 million in capital investment last year and created more than 300 new jobs.
Distinguished Service Award winner Curtis Baker.
Emily Mays, president of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, presented the following awards: Traditions Sports Deli won Business of the Year.
Brew Sisters received the Sprout Business Award.
Distinguished Service Award winner David Corum.
Creek Collaborative earned recognition as Franklin County’s Best Kept Secret Distinguished service awards were given to Curtis Baker of Phil Campbell, David Corum of Red Bay, Jocelynn Edmonds of Russellville, and Mary Glass, who received the At Large award.
Andy Deaton received the Volunteer of the Year Award.
Distinguished Service Award winner Jocelynn Edmonds.
Mike Vaughn received the Roger Bedford Unsung Hero Award Tony James received the Hall of Fame Award.
Beautification awards went to the Phil Campbell Walking Trail, Belhaven Heights Gifts in Red Bay, Russellville Hospital and Belgreen High School’s football field.
Distinguished Service Award Mary Glass.
The Franklin County Development Authority awards included: The Industrial Growth Award went to Pilgrim’s Pride.
The Industrial Support Award went to Freedom Fiber.
The Industry of the Year went to Franklin Homes.
Volunteer of the Year winner Andy Deaton.
The Franklin County Development Authority also named Walker Kennerly of East Franklin Junior High School Educator of the Year for Franklin County Schools.
Libby Scruggs of the Russellville City Schools Early Childhood Center received the educator award for Russellville City Schools. The organization also presented the Robert I. Rogers Award posthumously to Glen Vinson.
Roger Bedford Unsung Hero Award winner Mike Vaughn.
Sherye Price, executive director of the Franklin County Development Authority, said “there was no greater advocate for this organization or for the people who serve it than Glen.”
His son, Jason Vinson, accepted the award, noting his father passed down “a legacy, and in that legacy, it was love, laughter and life.”
Hall of Fame honoree Tony James.
Shery Price, left, executive director of the Franklin County Development Authority, presents Libby Scruggs the Educator of the Year award for Russellville City Schools.
