Chamber to Establish Herb Smith Lifetime Achievement Award
Contact:
Jessica M.L. Thompson, Communications Director
270-781-3200; jessica@bgchamber.com
BOWLING GREEN, KY-During the 2011 Annual Dinner, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce will include a special presentation to establish the Herb Smith Lifetime Achievement Award, which will honor community members for their dedication to furthering economic prosperity in South Central Kentucky.
At Annual Dinner, the Chamber will honor the Herb Smith family with the creation of the award, which in future years will be presented to individuals who have significantly impacted the South Central Kentucky region and its economic advancement by demonstrating a sincere desire and effort to reach beyond their personal interests to allow others to succeed. Honorees will have exemplified the core values of the Chamber: inclusiveness, integrity, leadership and service.
Herbert J. Smith (1918 - 2010) was a lifelong leader in Bowling Green and a past board member and president of the Bowling Green-Warren County Chamber of Commerce. A Navy lieutenant in World War II and a graduate of Bowling Green Business University (which later merged with Western Kentucky University), Smith began work at Dibrell-Burford Tobacco Co. in 1945 and later became president and CEO of Dibrell Kentucky, and he was an Ogden College Foundation acting regent from 1951 to 1976.
He served as president and CEO of American National Bank and Trust Co. from 1966 to 1986. From 1986-2011, he was a member of the board for Auburn Hosiery Mill (serving as its chief operating officer from 1989 to 1990). He was named to Bowling Green High School's Hall of Honors and Western Kentucky University's Hall of Distinguished Alumni.
"Mr. Smith's great contributions to this community should be celebrated," said Joe Natcher, outgoing chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors. "He was an outstanding professional and a true supporter of economic growth in the region. It is a great joy to be able to honor his legacy through this award."
The 2011 Annual Dinner will be held on Thursday, February 3, at the Sloan Convention Center. The event begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m., with the program and dinner following at 6:30 p.m. For registration questions, please call Program Director Lindsey McClain at 901-4610.
About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to be the 2009 Chamber of the Year, as named by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. The Chamber was honored with 5-Star Accreditation in 2009, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. As the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners and is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. Its primary goals
are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.