The Jasper Chamber of Commerce held their 64th annual meeting this afternoon as a luncheon at KlubHaus 61 in Jasper.
A record-breaking crowd of roughly 350 people were on hand for the meeting that saw the installation of a new president and board of directors for the upcoming year and the annual presentation of the Community Excellence Award.
During today’s program out-going Chamber President Laurel Seger recognized Board Members and other officers who served under the 2017 term.
Seger also presented the Community Excellence Award.
This award is given annually to an individual in the community who has given of himself or herself in a variety of ways in order to “make a difference.”
This year’s recipient was John Seng who was nominated by his mother Mary Ann Seng.
John is a graduate of Jasper High School and the Indiana University School of Business. He is currently President and manager of Forest Products Manufacturing.
He and his wife Sandy are the parents of four sons and is a member of the Jasper Knight of Columbus and Precious Blood Catholic Church where he serves as an usher and was an influential member of the building committee for the present church.
He is very much active in the scouting program. He and all four of his sons were Eagle Scouts and was said to be the power behind the projects each had to complete for qualification.
He was recognized for the countless hours spent with other scouts helping them attain their goals.
Seng was surprised he won the prestigious award, but is honored and feels humble nonetheless.
The award is always a surprise to the recipient and it is such a great honor to recognize the work of an individual who has contributed to the success of the Jasper community.
The Jasper Chamber of Commerce is composed of 15 Board Members and 2 staff positions.
The new Board of Directors for 2018 include:
Officers:
President Brian Hostetter,
Vice President Tom Moorman,
Secretary Diane Meneilly-Horney,
And Treasurer Mark Fierst,
Other Board members include:
Lori Persohn, Julie Dutchess, Tim Grey, Anthony Seng, Dr. Timothy Barry, Opal Sermersheim, Angie Kleinhelter, Sherri Keller, Rachel Levin, Cody Ziegler, Christian Blome, and Bernie Kreilein,
Governor Eric Holcomb served as this year’s keynote speaker and discussed his 2018 legislative agenda which included developing a 21st century skilled and ready workforce, cultivating a strong and diverse economy, maintaining and building the state’s infrastructure, attacking the current drug epidemic and delivering great government service. Holcomb’s main focus in his agenda is developing the 21st Century Skilled and Ready Workforce, which he says that even in Dubois County, who has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state, can still build and bring in jobs.
Holcomb is the 51st governor of the state of Indiana. Prior to his election, he served as Indiana’s Lt. Governor and was a trusted advisor to former governor Mitch Daniels, Vice President Mike Pence and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats.
