Valley businesses honored at annual meeting of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce: Duke Energy recognized as outstanding business of the year

Oct 01, 2008 (The Tribune-Star - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- DUK | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- During his keynote address at Tuesday evening's 95th annual meeting of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce in Hulman Center, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Joie Chitwood told area business leaders never to settle for being "good enough."

"It can become easy to become complacent," Chitwood said. "If you ever think you're the best at something, you stop competing ... you just go through the motions, thinking you're good enough.

"You're never really good enough," he added.

The theme of the annual awards dinner was "Setting the Pace for Tomorrow," and three prestigious awards were presented to area business leaders and organizations.

Duke Energy was recognized as the outstanding business of the year in the Wabash Valley with the third annual "Business, A Level Above" Award, presented by Vectren Corp.

An emotional Rick Burger, district manager of Duke Energy in Terre Haute, accepted the award. Burger, who earlier in the evening mentioned the loss of a Duke Energy employee in a car accident Tuesday morning, said, "I am proud to be a part of Duke Energy; I'm proud to be part of this community."

Referencing the heavy summer flooding and storms, Burger added that 2008 had been a "trying year," but that he had been overwhelmed by the spirit of the community, as neighbors helped neighbors.

"We need to continue to keep that community spirit growing," he said.

Burger was again honored, along with his wife Karen, for his service as past chairman of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, with a "Beautiful People" Award.

The president and CEO of the Chamber, Rod Henry, said that it was Burger's energy and enthusiasm for the community that had made early morning chamber meetings "fun and interesting."

"He moved to this community and became engaged and energized and involved in the community," Henry said.

The Chamber also presented the "Vision, A Level Above" Award, sponsored by Indiana State University Foundation, to the Terre Haute Children's Museum Board of Directors for its vision in building a new Terre Haute Children's Museum for the youth of the Wabash Valley.

The "Vision, A Level Above Award" recognizes an individual, individuals, an organization or business for making significant progress toward enhancing quality-of-life issues, growth, and economic development promising future growth in the community.

John Thompson, president of the board of directors of the Children's Museum, accepted the award, saying, "We have a long way to go [to complete construction of the museum] but the good news is we have reached 70 percent of our capital campaign goal ... it truly is an investment in the community ... we relish the opportunity to finish this task."

The "Business, A Level Above" and "Vision, A Level Above" Awards were presented as part of a continuing community branding initiative: "Terre Haute, A Level Above."

Claudia Tanoos of the Terre Haute Economic Development Corp. was awarded the Chamber ATHENA Award by Fuson Pontiac Buick Cadillac & GMC Trucks. The award honors an individual who has inspired women to achieve their full potential.

The ATHENA Award is an international program that has honored more than 5,000 individuals in hundreds of cities across the United States, as well as in Canada, China, Russia and the United Kingdom.

Tanoos said although she was "quite taken aback," she was "deeply honored" to have been presented with the award.

For more information about the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, visit www.terrehautechamber.com or call (812) 232-2391.

Deb Kelly can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or deb.kelly@tribstar.com.

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