The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Dinner and Awards program Saturday night, at the Cass County Community Center. During the awards presentation part of the Program, The Athena Leadership Award –  made possible through a partnership with Deter Motor Company — and which is given to the person who has “Honored professional excellence, community service, an actively assisted women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills,” was presented by last year’s winner, Dolly Bergman, to former Cass County Memorial Hospital CEO Pat Markham. Markham recently retired from the Cass County Health System after more than 29-years of service.

The Business of the Year Award went to 1st Whitney Bank and Trust, for its innovation and leadership. The bank took a major role in helping the Chamber achieve its four priorities, one of which was to increase the Local Option Sales Tax receipts. 1st Whitney came up with a “Cash Mob” concept, where all of its more than 20 employees would enter an Atlantic business to spend $20 each, or more. They encouraged other businesses to follow suite, and as a result, more than business did the same thing. Six additional “Cash Mob” stops generated more than $15,000 in sales for those businesses that were “mobbed.”

The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Jim Tyler, Chairman of the Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company. The award was accepted by Controller/Human Resources Director Mike Pappas. The Community Betterment Award, which is presented to a business or organization which has invested in the community to increase the value of property, insuring the future of infrastructure in the area, went to the Friends of the Schildberg Quarry, for their numerous volunteer efforts. The Community Service Award was presented to Melanie Petty, with the Frederickson Foundation, for her loyal support of the community and fundraising efforts benefiting the community, following the loss of her son in 2009. The Foundation has raised more than $75,000 in donations for local organizations and causes since its inception.

Other awards were presented to Junior Hansen, with Atlantic Municipal Utilities: Volunteer of the Year; Tina Lord: Outstanding Committee Member; Donnie and Arlene Drennan: Ambassadors of the Year; and The Star Ambassadors Award went to Dr. Keith Leonard, Dolly Bergman, Tammy Waters, Carole Schuler and Sue Muri.

The event featured a dinner of prime rib served by management and staff with the Atlantic Hy-Vee. The stores’ Amy Jordahl succeeds 1st Whitney’s Chip Hansen as President of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, for 2014.