Chamber of Commerce honors excellence in the Holmes County community

A common thread among all of the winners at the annual Holmes County Chamber of Commerce awards banquet was the blessing it is to be doing business and drawing staff from the Holmes County community.

The Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau recognized a trio of businesses as large, medium and small businesses of the year, as well as presented community, educator and lifetime achievement awards.

Sam Yoder, owner and president of Berlin Gardens, the Large Business of the Year, said there are a lot of great companies in Holmes County that are deserving of the award and he was humbled to accept on behalf of Berlin Gardens.

"No man is an island. No man stands alone," Yoder said. "That is so true at Berlin Gardens. The employees and their families, the community and so many businesses here that have helped us be successful. I'd also like to honor God tonight, who has blessed us with riches beyond what we can even measure."

Rob Hovis of Millersburg Financial Services, presented the award to Yoder, and introduced the winner, sharing a little about the company. He said Berlin Gardens has grown 23 people when Yoder purchased it in 2009 to 220 employees today, manufacturing a variety of outdoor furniture and accessories, around 200,000 pieces of furniture a year. 

An opportunity to work with his father

Robert Miller, founder and president of Tekton, the Medium Business of the Year, said he began his business so he could work with his father.

"A big reason I started Tekton is I wanted to be able to work alongside my dad," Miller said. "That's been a heck of an opportunity, and also, a lot of his competitors have been willing to work with us. It's kind of a blessing we see here in Holmes County that you don't see too frequently in other communities."

Miller expressed his gratitude to the chamber, his wife and family and the staff at Tekton. He appreciates the support of his team for having each other's back.

Hopes he spelled his name correctly

Wes Schmucker, owner of small business of the year Star Laser, said he was humbled to accept the award, one of the many plaques his company manufactures. He just hoped his name was spelled correctly.

Matt Miller of Killbuck Savings Bank presented the award to Schmucker. He shared how Star Laser is a glowing example of how a strong work ethic, patience and faith can lead to a successful business.

Special award winners

Other special awards were issued to OneEighty for community service, Jeff and Renee Woods for Educators of the Year and Bob Porter, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Tina Zickefoose accepted the award for OneEighty, so named for being an organization that changes the direction of the lives of the people it serves.

Jeff and Renee Woods expressed their gratitude for their award. About the principals at Millersburg Elementary School and West Holmes Middle School, presenter Shasta Mast noted how lucky some students are to have gone from the guidance of Renee Woods in elementary school to Jeff Woods in middle school.

Porter thanked his wife of nearly 53 years, Becky, and his family for supporting his efforts in the many community programs he has volunteered to serve, from Share-a Christmas to the Millersburg Lions Club to the Killbuck Valley Museum.

Porter quipped he warned Renee Woods, when she was a majorette at West Holmes High School, about that Jeff Woods kid she was dating from Triway. It's a good thing she didn't heed his advice, he said.