Chamber Announces Award Recipients
The Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce has announced the following award recipients to be honored at the Annual Awards Dinner & Banquet on March 6: Blake Campbell as Educator of the Year, Phillip Mosley as Citizen of the Year, Dixie Grinders as Business of the Year, and Julie Patton, who will be honored posthumously with the Chairman’s Cup.
Blake Campbell, a math teacher at Guntersville Middle School, is the 2024 Educator of the Year. Nominations described Blake as faithful, dedicated, kind, and busy. He was nominated by current educators, a retired educator, a parent, and a minister. One nomination read, “He is firm yet encouraging, challenging yet full of grace, and above all, genuinely loved my son and the students in his class. Blake Campbell is an exceptional teacher and exemplifies Educator of the Year in every way.”
Phillip Mosley, business owner, developer, former elected official, and volunteer, is the 2024 Citizen of the Year. His nomination described him as impactful, noting his key role in the success of initiatives like the Arts and Entertainment District, HydroFest, and City Harbor. In 2006, Phillip began a methodical process to convince his employer, JST, a major electronics firm, to build a facility in Guntersville. Their decision to build an advanced, flagship facility at Conners Island exceeded even his expectations, highlighting his contributions to Guntersville’s growth.
Dixie Grinders is the 2024 Business of the Year. The nomination recognized their consistent innovation in the meat processing industry, establishing Dixie Grinders as a nationwide leader in designing and manufacturing advanced, robust machinery. The Sellnow family’s active involvement in local schools, churches, and non-profits further highlights their community impact.
Julie Patton will be honored posthumously with the 2024 Chairman’s Cup for her exceptional service to the community. Julie served as Director of the Guntersville Museum for twelve years until her passing in January 2025. Under her leadership, the museum saw numerous improvements, including expanding the collection and introducing professional travel exhibits. Julie was passionate about celebrating local art and artists and bringing in outside art for Guntersville locals to enjoy.
The Chamber will officially recognize the award recipients during the annual banquet on Thursday, March 6, at the City Harbor Event Center. The event is sold out.
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For more information on the award recipients and the Chamber banquet, please call (256)582-3612.