SHELBY, Ohio – Several individuals received awards for their leadership in the community at the 116th Annual Meeting for the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday evening, January 29. But no one was more surprised than Director of Friendly House Terry Conard when he received the 2014 Chairman’s Award.
Conard did not expect the award, which when revealed, moved many to tears.
Milliron Auto Parts owner Karl Milliron introduced the 2014 Chairman’s Award, but he did not reveal who the winner was – he let DRM’s video do that. The video revealed Conard as the winner of the 2014 Chairman’s Award. DRM Productions Inc. filmed and produced the video, telling Conard it was for a commercial for United Way.
In the video, President of Friendly House Board of Managers Joanne Humphrey said, “Ninety-percent of those kids know who Mr. Terry is. Because Mr. Terry is the epitome of Friendly House.”
“He (Conard) is everything Friendly House is about,” she added.
Conard has been Friendly House’s Director for seven years, but has been involved with the organization for 37 years. Over the years, he said the rewards have been doing what he does.
“I love what I’m doing. These kids just sometimes need a hug and nurtured. It’s an easy job to do that,” he shared in a separate interview. “I was at a loss of words. I went as a guest, I didn’t think I’d be getting an award,” he added, reflecting on the evening.
Upon receiving the award, the audience also gave him a standing ovation. Conard was visibly surprised and moved.
The Friendly House has had a presence in Richland County since 1899 and they have operated out of their current building since 1949. The non-profit organization offers a variety of services for children from schools in the area. The building’s amenities include a swimming pool, a gymnasium, a game room and classrooms. Big Brothers Big Sisters operates out of the building as well.
At the meeting, four individuals were presented with awards for their Extraordinary Leadership in 2014: Don Plotts, who stepped in to lead the Chamber during their nationwide search for a new president, Bill Sharp for his leadership at the Chamber Foundation and Leadership Unlimited, Bill Schmidt for creating and leading Mansfield Lahm Airport’s Airport Days festival, and Jerry Morasko for his vision in bringing the Avita Ontario project to completion at the former Lazarus building at the Richland Mall.
Milliron noted that 2014 as a year that experienced growth for the Chamber, citing record breaking attendance numbers for events and meetings.
Then Richland Bank President and 2015 Board Chair John Brown gave the audience a forecast of 2015, which he identified as moving into a “new era” with a theme of connecting and collaborating.
“Our goal is to grow membership (of the Chamber of Commerce),” said Brown. “We want to be better. We want to be an organization that all of you feel comfortable referring.”
The Richland Area Chamber of Commerce’s meeting was held at Shelby’s Kehoe Center, filling it’s conference center with over 250 individuals in attendance and was catered by Ed Pickens Cafe on Main.
“I love what I’m doing. These kids just sometimes need a hug and nurtured. It’s an easy job to do that,” said Terry Conard.
