During the monthly Chamber Board of Directors meeting on Monday, September 28, Chair of the Board Wes Studdard awarded the fourth and fifth Chair of the Board Award. This award is designed to honor individuals who have made a significant contribution to the community in a specific field of civic endeavor.
The awardees were presented a letter from the Chair of the Board at a Board of Directors meeting, then presented a plaque at the Annual Chamber Banquet. The selection committee for this award is made up of the Immediate Past Chair, Chair of the Board, and Chair-Elect.
The awardees of the fourth and fifth Chair of the Board award for 2020 is Judith Thompson in the field of Community Health and Larry New in the field of Small Business Development. No more than six such awards are bestowed each year, and these two individual’s roles in their community more than qualifies them for this honor.
Judith organized volunteer practitioners to set up the county drive-through COVID-19 testing site, from training personnel in the city’s fire department on how to perform the testing, to answering the phones, setting up appointments, and following up on test results. Judith was a tireless, early advocate of the community testing, working nights and weekends until the center was up and running.
Larry put in many long hours for several months and helped hundreds of small businesses with advice and counsel to remain in business. UTSA has honored him with their Overall Values-Based Leadership Award three consecutive years and in 2019 with their Excellence Award as well as Innovation Award.
Judith and Larry will be further recognized during the 102nd Annual Chamber Banquet next year on January 29, 2021 along with their fellow Chair of the Board Awardees.