AWARDS

Judy Mitchell, the CEO of Peter R. Brown Construction was named Mrs. Clearwater for 2007. With the honor, Mitchell joins many individuals and couples in the community who, since 1958, have been recognized by the chamber for their exceptional community service. Mitchell, 52, has worked in the construction industry since graduating from Ohio State University with an accounting degree. She has been president of Peter R. Brown Construction since 1993.

“This is such an honor. I’m speechless to be part of that group (of past winners),” said Mitchell. Along with her business experience, Mitchell has a record of extensive community involvement that began in 1989. She serves on the boards of the YWCA of Tampa Bay, BayCare Health System, the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, Saint Paul’s School, the Bank of

Tampa and Florida Investment Advisors. Moreover, Mitchell also is chairwoman of ClearPac, the chamber’s political action committee, as well as Morton Plant/Mease Health Care’s Primary Care Inc. and its Hospitals Operating Board. She also serves on the Pinellas County Economic Development Council and St. Petersburg College’s Corporate Training Services Advisory Committee.

Along with Mitchell, the chamber named its business of the year in four categories, two people who have contributed significantly to the city’s tourism
industry and an Ambassador of the Year who made a significant impact to the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Named as Tourism Persons of the Year were Clearwater’s special events manager, Terry Schmidt, and Ben Fertic, who orchestrated the Ironman race in November.

Named as Ambassador of the Year was Janell Strange. Janelle is employed with WorkNet Pinellas and is a volunteer with the Ambassador Committee.

Callahan Water Solutions, owned by Jack, Mark and Sherri Callahan, was named Small Business of the Year (less than $1-million annual revenue).

Medium Businesses of the Year ($1-million to $5-million annual revenue) went to Pier 60 Concessions, owned and operated by Lisa and Steve Chandler, and D-Mar General Contracting and Development, whose owner and president is Doreen DiPolito.

Colliers Arnold, a full-service commercial real estate firm, was named Large Instate Business of the Year (more than $5-million annual revenue).

Large Out-of-state Business of the Year went to Costco, a global retailer in Issaquah, Wash. The Clearwater store is at Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard and U.S. 19.

The last matters of the evening were a farewell to Jeanie Renfrow as the chamber board of directors’ chairwoman and handing the gavel to the new chairman, Chester G. “Bud” Elias, president of the Advantage Group, in

Clearwater since 1976. Bud has served as Vice president of Governmental Affairs of the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, and is currently serving as Chairman of the Board.

Large in-state business of the year: Colliers Arnold - Patrick Duffy	Small Business of the Year: Callahan Water Solutions
Large out-of-state business of the year: Costco Wholesale	Past Chair, Jeanie Renfrow	Chairman of the Board, Bud Elias