In April of 1993 the Lamar Chamber of Commerce became the Barton County Chamber of Commerce. To mark the beginning of the organization, the Chamber hosts a membership meeting and awards banquet every April. The act of recognizing locals who go "above and beyond" is one held over from the days of the Lamar Chamber of Commerce and it is how that the best and brightest from all around Barton County are recognized yearly.
Nominations are opened to all members of Barton County during the month of January and during February the General Membership votes for the winners.
Below are the records of past award winners which we were able to find in our office but it is NOT a complete list. The Chamber encourages individuals and past winners to contact us with information to add to this list. Also, each year we will add new winners to this page so their accomplishments will continue to be recognized as time goes on.
Award Winners
PERSON OF THE YEAR
CHAMBER VOLUNTEER
1996 - Don Lucietta
1995 - Ray Little
1994 - Lamar Democrat
1993 - Judd Chesnut
1992 - Calvin Jones
1991 - Ruby & Vincil Warren
1990 - Gerald Gilkey
1989 - Ron Hager
1988 - Tom Felts
1987 - Tom O'Sullivan
1985 - Peggy Hillman
1983 - Bill Rawlings
1982 - Tom O'Sullivan
1981 - Jim Allen
2011 - Nan Woodward
2010 - Marsha Doyle
| Business | Volunteer | Employee | Educators | Truman | Healthcare | New Chamber Member | Nonprofit of the Year | Hall of Fame | |
| 2024 | Big Rens | Susan Roland | Melissa Messer: Arvest Bank | Angela Mooney - Golden City Marissa Buzzard - Lamar Tina Moser - Liberal |
Sheri & Bill Keltner | Chelle Gardner, Cox Barton County Hospital | 96 Elite Wedding Venue | Peterson Outdoor Ministries |
Marno Patterson Calvin Jones |
| Business | Volunteer | Employee | Educators | Truman | Healthcare | Hall of Fame | |
| 2023 | Heavenly Daylight Donuts | Sheila Stevens | Kent Morey - Lamar Bank & Trust | Carol Tracy - Golden City Tamara Cole - Lamar Robert Williams - Liberal |
Gordon Godfrey | Hannah Born APRN - Cox Barton County Hospital |
Marilyn SelveyZachary Scott Kelley |
| 2022 | The Freeman Outdoor Event Center At The Stompin’ Grounds |
Holly Willhite | Michael Moyer Lamar United Methodist Church | Angela Vaughn - Golden City Terri Harrison - Liberal Kristin Whitton - Lamar |
Jo Jurgens | Dr. Erica Burton ~ Vision Solutions |
Robbie King |
| 2021 | Vintage Chaos | Melissa Little | Mary Jo Mincks Cox Barton County Hospital |
Leesa Eldred ~ Golden City Iver Johnson ~ Lamar Stacia Forst ~ Liberal |
Jerry Marti | Joel Dermott & Barton County Health Department |
| Business | Volunteer | Employee | Educators | Truman | Healthcare | Hall of Fame | Civic Organization | Woman of the Year | Young Professional Under 40 | |
| 2020 | Jeremy’s Creek Golf Course |
Mandy Sturgell | Chanel Besendorfer Barton County Title Company |
Lamar ~ Beth Fowler Golden City ~ Mark Stefan Liberal ~ Phillip Vore |
Nancy Curless | Mandy Swink Cox Barton County Hospital |
Richard Cooper | Lamar PTO | Tie Barb Parrish & Jill Onstott |
Jordan Maberry |
| 2019 | Lamar Bank & Trust Company | Kari Worsely | Stormy Cuba Senior Citizens Center | Golden City---Caleb Russell Lamar -- Harvey Fry Liberal -- Shanda Shaw |
Jim O’Neal | Dr. Jeremy Sturgell | Clint Williams | Lamar Metro Club | Betty Purinton | Kaleb Marti |
| Business | Volunteer | Employee | Educators | Truman | Healthcare | Hall of Fame | |
| 2018 | Cap's Cabin | Greg Clements | Mike Main | Jay Stahl | Dr. Burton | LeAnn Campbell & Dr. Carroll | |
| 2017 | Redneck Outdoor Products | Marilyn Selvey | Jeff Hull | Lori Miller, Bill Nicaise, Stephanie David |
Scott Bailey | Dr.Michelle Boice | |
| 2016 | Tractors BBQ | Rachel Martin | Sgt. Oliver Cornell | Kara Mello, Keith Woods, Ron Ray | Kathy Jenkins | Dr. Justin Ogden | Fleeter Marti & Ruth Bunton |
| 2015 | Barton County Strength Club | Donita McCulloch | Coty Brooks | Melanie Kirby, Diane Reigal, Jaime Pjesky | Amy Neher | Julie Means | Betty O'Sullivan |
| 2014 | Tractors BBQ | Doris Little | Amy Neher | Anna Strong, Sharon Brannon, Angie Vaughn | Martin Bunton | Dr. Thomas Hopkins, MD | Bub Curless |
| 2013 | Jones Plumbing Heating & Air | Robbie King | Elaine Davis | Jim Lovercamp, Debra Simmons, Rachel Miller | Pat O'Neal | Dr. Jeremy Sturgel | Edison Kaderly |
| 2012 | Fast Eddie Hot Rod Shop | Irene Thomas | Richard Cooper | Barbara Parrish, Sherry St. John, Beth Wilson | George Nichols | Chelle Gardener & Nico Linsteadt | |
| 2011 | Mary's Flower Cart Cafe | Debbie Sniegar | Nadine Mayfield | Bowling, Medlin, Davidson | Tom Shaw | Rudy Snedigar | Dot Morton & Darrell Robertson |
| 2010 | Legacy | Jim Horton | Ginnie Keatts | Dighero, Woods, Barker | Doris Little | Lori Smith | Ken Howard |
| 2009 | Versacourt | Betty Kuhn | Bill Rawlings | Willey, Barnes, Clemensen | John Gilkey | Jane Scott | John Stockdale |
| 2008 | Fast Eddie Hot Rod Shop | Bob Douglas | Aimee Brunner | Ray, Eldred, | |||
| 2007 | Fast Eddie Hot Rod Shop | Bob Douglas | Aimee Brunner | Susan Ray, Leesa, Eldred | Lynn Calton | Leisa Blanchard | Margaret Wirts & Mary K. Miller |
| 2006 | Lamar Enterprises | Jo Jurgens | Chief Ron Hager | Hager, Huber, Pellett | Rayma Bekebrock Davis | Dr. Cain & Gerald Gilkey | |
| 2005 | Dot's Hallmark | Virgina Erwin | Pat Vaughan | Pat Gordon, Brad Jones, Calvin Pyle | Bob Douglas |
| Agri-Biz | Business | Volunteer | Employee | Educators | Truman | |
| 2004 | Rice's Feed Store | Barco Drive-In | Kathy Jenkins | Virginia Rutledge | VanGilder, Masterson, S. Keith | Charles Curless |
| 2003 | Wa-da-ya-Bid Auction | Roberts Department Store | Belinda Rutledge | John Bary | VanGilder, Hackney, Kaufman | Ron Hager |
| 2002 | M & J Berries | Daniel Funeral Home | Marilyn Harris | Paul "Cubby" Hall | D. Tuck, N. Tahhan, Lovercamp | Ginnie Keatts |
| 2001 | Barton Co. Impliment | Eastside Amoco | Shirley Curless | M. Selvey, K. Myers, L. Poznich | Gerald Gilkey | |
| 2000 | Seed & Farm Supply | Tiadon Systems | Calvin Jones | Williams, Kirby, Monroe | Judd Chesnut |