Community leaders recognized at chamber dinner

Coshoctonian: Kathy Thompson is pictured addressing the audience after being named the 2016 Coshoctonian. Standing to her right is her husband Scott Thompson. Kathy has served the community in a number of areas with her last position before retirement being director of the Coshocton Foundation. Beacon photo by Mark Fortune

COSHOCTON – For the first time ever there is a second generation recipient of the Coshoctonian award.

The 2016 recipient of this prestigious award was Kathy Thompson, the daughter of Richard Baker who won the award in 2006.

“It feels wonderful to share this honor,” Thompson said. “I wish he could have been here, but he only lived about eight months after receiving his award. I think he would have been really pleased.”

The Coshoctonian award was presented to Thompson Friday evening April 15 at the annual Chamber of Commerce Dinner at Lake Park Pavilion. The purpose of the award is to honor an individual for their long term commitment to the well being of the Coshocton Community and their efforts to make it a better place.

Arnold honor: The Employee of the Year Award, sponsored by the Coshocton Rotary Club, was presented by President Eric Taggart to Kent Arnold at the Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce Dinner. Kent works at McWane Ductile, is involved with Relay for Life, veterans groups and recently started a prayer group. Beacon photo by Mark Fortune

Thompson graduated from Coshocton High School and Miami University. After college she came back home to Coshocton and showed very early on that she was a quite leader who was about projects that had a lasting impact on Coshocton.

Over the years she has served the community as director of United Way, as a Coshocton County Commissioner and director of the Coshocton Foundation. She helped bring the COTC Coshocton Campus to town, served on the airport board, has been involved with the Footlight Players, the community choir and much more. She also is a dedicated wife, mother and friend.

“I lived in Columbus for a while and the city had lots of advantages, but this is where I grew up and it’s a good place to raise a family,” Thompson said. “I never regretted coming back. We’ve had our hardships, but this is still a great place to live.”

Auctioneers: Greg Rice, Herb Peddicord and Ryan LePage of Peddicord Rice Auction Realty LTD accepted the Richard Rea Small Business of the Year Award. The locally owned company gives countless hours back to the community in the form of benefit auctions, community organizations and are the host for the technology that drives the annual Chamber of Commerce online auction. Peddicord Rice Auction Realty LTD has been in the community for over 60 years. Beacon photo by Mark Fortune

Three other awards also were presented at the chamber dinner.

The small business of the year award went to Peddicord Rice Auction Realty whose nominator said has a knowledgeable and courteous team and makes time to volunteer at local events.

“Thank you Coshocton,” said Greg Rice, “It’s an honor to have your peers and community support you. People support us and we return the favor to them.”

The young leader of the year award was presented to Jesse Fischer, who serves on the River View Community Park Board and Warsaw Village Council, is part of the Warsaw Lions Club, is involved with the Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce and was asked to be on the River View School District Steering Committee. He also is the fourth generation of his family to work at Fischer Funeral Home, is a husband and father of three boys.

“If you want where you live and work to be a better place you need to be involved,” Fischer said. “That’s the only way you can ensure that happens. To me being a leader is just getting people to work together toward a common cause.”

Fischer: The Young Leader of the Year award was presented by COTC President Dr. Bonnie Coe to Jesse Fischer. Fischer has been elected to Warsaw Village Council twice. He has helped secure grants for the village and was instrumental in a park levy that helped public parks thought out the county and these are just a few of his community accomplishments. He also works at his family’s business in Warsaw, is a husband and father to three young boys. Beacon photo by Mark Fortune.

The employee of the year award went to Kent Arnold, a 47 year employee of McWane Ductile, which is still known as Clows to many in the community.

Arnold is involved with health and safety issues at the plant and under his guidance the plant has had its lowest injury rates. He plans to retire this year and will be greatly missed by his co-workers. One of his nomination comments said, “I wish I had an entire plant full of Kents.”

He was totally surprised by the award.

“I just really can’t express how much I appreciate this,” Arnold said.

He thanked God for his glory and both his family and McWane Ductile for their support over the years.

“Once I retire I will have more opportunities to serve this wonderful community,” he said. “I can’t imagine living anyplace else.”

Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce Director Amy Stockdale thanked everyone for coming and for the time and effort they invest in the community.

“Each and every one of you make this a special place to live, work, raise families and retire,” she said.

josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com

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