MANSFIELD — Annamarie Fernyak didn’t give herself much credit for advancing the quality of life in Richland County.
“We support the organizations that are already doing so much good for our community,” the founder and CEO of Mind Body Align said.
“Mansfield and Richland County have so many amazing organizations that are all working toward a common goal and we want to support them in any way that we can.”
Carl and Annamarie Fernyak earned the 2024 Chairman’s Award at the 125th annual evening of excellence Wednesday night.
The Richland Area Chamber started the award in 1981 to recognize community members with a long-standing commitment to community service in the Richland County region.
Carl Fernyak, founder of Richland Source and owner of Carrousel Properties, said the couple was humbled to receive the award.
“It’s a very honorable gesture, so thank you so much,” he said. “We’re speechless. We were both born and raised in this community and want to continue to give back.”
Carl Fernyak serves on the Richland Area Chamber board of directors and is also a past board trustee for the Richland County Foundation.
The Fernyaks are the first recorded duo to earn the Chairman’s Award together.
Beth Delaney, co-chair of the Richland Area Chamber, said she selected the couple because of their dedication to supporting community growth.
“Every one of the past winners have their own superpower,” she said. “I truly believe in my heart that I have chosen a very worthy superpower. They have influenced and contributed to our community for years.
“Individually, they stand alone, but you put these two together and they are a force.”
Carl Fernyak second generation to earn Chairman’s award
This year marks 30 years since Carl’s father, John Fernyak, earned the same award. John helped lead the effort to build the Richland Carrousel in downtown Mansfield in 1991.
“I remember being at that awards ceremony 30 years ago and didn’t really think that I would be joining him, so that’s an honor,” the younger Fernyak said.
“It’s very very exciting to follow in his footsteps.”
John Fernyak attended Wednesday’s ceremony and said he was proud to see his son and daughter-in-law recognized.
“My son is a lot smarter than his father,” the 90-year-old said. “He’s got a lot more energy.
“Both Carl and Annamarie really work hard at anything they do, and I’m very happy to see them recognized.”
In the couple’s nomination video, Richland County Foundation president Brady Groves highlighted the many projects the Fernyaks have supported around Mansfield.
“They both have that giving heart and that giving attitude and I truly believe both of them really enjoy watching others succeed,” he said.
Groves said the Fernyaks’ business trips to South by Southwest sparked the Mansfield Rising plan.
Fred Boll, executive director of the Buckeye Imagination Museum, said the Fernyaks were instrumental in expanding the Imagination District.
“They were some of the first people to invest in Theatre 166,” he said.
“Several conversations I had with other funders was ‘Who else is committed to you?’ When I said Carl and Annamarie, it was ‘OK, then it must be a good bet because if Carl and Annamarie are in, they’ve thought this through.”
Jennifer Kime, CEO of Downtown Mansfield, Inc. noted the couple’s investments in apartment and property development downtown.
“You can look around downtown and really identify the impact of Carrousel Properties,” she said. “Their impact has been catalytic.”
Fernyaks thank community partners
Carl Fernyak said the pair was speechless when they were presented with the Chairman’s Award.
“We’d like to thank the chamber for this wonderful award, and all the great people we work with every day because they make it happen,” he said.
Boll said he looks forward to the Fernyaks’ future projects for community innovation.
“Carl and Annamarie’s legacy I think is yet to be fully written, and it’s a book I want to read,” he said.
“They have tremendously more things they will do in the future.”
Annamarie thanked organizations around the county that drive community growth.
“This is a community that we obviously love and we’re proud to be here,” she said. “I’m incredibly grateful for the fact that there are so many people who join us in this push to drive economic innovation, restoration and the vitality of our community.”
The nomination videos for the Chairman’s Award and ATHENA award winners will be posted on DRM Productions.