MANSFIELD — Many of the world’s problems could be solved over a cold beer with Karl Milliron. At least, that’s what his business partner, Jim McKinney, believes. 

The Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development announced Milliron as the 2026 Chairman’s Award winner during its annual meeting, unveiling the honor through a video tribute done by DRM Productions Inc., highlighting his decades of service.

The chamber has presented the award since 1981, and community leaders consider it one of the region’s highest honors. Recipients demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service in Richland County.

Those who know Milliron say he fits that description without ever chasing recognition.

Shaping perspective, inspiring solutions

“If I think of somebody who takes care of their people — internal, work, family, friends, community — somebody that deserves respect but doesn’t demand respect — that’s Karl Milliron,” said Jake Penwell, owner of Penwell Funeral Homes.

Penwell said Milliron brings focus to every meeting and every conversation.

“You’re sitting in a meeting and you’re looking around the table at someone who is intently focused and listening to what you’re saying,” he said.

He called Milliron the kind of leader who earns respect without asking for it.

John Roby, CEO of Roby Foster Miller Earick Insurance, described Milliron as one of the most determined, yet sometimes stubborn, people he has ever met.

“It allows him to be hyper-focused on getting things done,” Roby said.

McKinney said meeting Karl changed his perspective, helping him prioritize solutions benefitting both their company and the industry as a whole

“Everything Karl said was, ‘Let’s find a solution that’s good for the industry and it’ll be good for us,’ and we have always worked with the whole industry in mind. That’s thinking I didn’t have before I met Karl,” he said.

Being able to watch Milliron work as a businessman, McKinney said, has created who he is as a businessman.

“Karl said to me you know the business and the industry … what you don’t know I’m going to teach you and that’s how to take care of the community,” McKinney said.

A family philosophy: Always give back

“Thank you for this honor,” Milliron said. “I just have to give thanks to God and our family.”

If I think of somebody who takes care of their people — somebody that deserves respect but doesn’t demand respect — that’s Karl Milliron.

Jake Penwell, owner of Penwell Funeral Homes

Milliron credited his upbringing and mentors for shaping his commitment to service.

“I have had great mentors and leaders throughout my life. My father really taught me the lessons of community and giving back,” he said.

He noted his family has one simple belief: support the place that supports you.

“The community supports you, you’ve got to support the community back. That’s always been our number one philosophy,” Milliron said.

He said his father left a strong foundation, allowing them to continue investing in Richland County.

“My father left a very nice foundation that we can do a lot of work with. We are going to continue to do that,” he said. “I’ve been blessed to have that upbringing.”

Milliron also shared advice that has guided him for more than two decades.

“Just do the right thing and you’ll never be wrong,” he said. “Sometimes the right thing is the hard thing, but you continue to do it.

“That’s all we do,” he said. “We live day by day and try to do the right things.”

(More photos of Karl Milliron accepting the 2026 Chairman’s Award. Credit: Hannah Martin)