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Community members honored at Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce event

AWARD WINNERS — Kate Sedgmer, far right, president of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, stood with honorees from the chamber’s 116th-annual meeting and awards banquet Wednesday. The award winners are, from left, Ambassador of the Year Taylor Steeves, owner of Taylor Insurance; Lifetime Achievement Award winners Marsha and Bill Cable, owners of Austin Lake, and Young Professional of the Year Stephanie Creek, marketing consultant for WTOV-TV. -- Christopher Dacanay

STEUBENVILLE — The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce reflected on this past year’s accomplishments and honored individuals who’ve positively impacted the community, during its 116th-annual meeting and awards banquet.

Taking place Wednesday evening in Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Christ the Teacher academic hall, the event saw well over 100 business owners and community members gather to celebrate another year gone by for the chamber.

Officials with the chamber recognized Bill and Marsha Cable, owners of Austin Lake, naming them this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winners. Also honored were Ambassador of the Year Taylor Steeves, owner of Taylor Insurance, and Young Professional of the Year Stephanie Creek, marketing consultant for WTOV-TV.

With the theme “Adventure Awaits in Jefferson County,” the meeting emphasized tourism and outdoor activities in the county, as demonstrated by a video shown for attendees, produced by Pierce Media.

“We know that tourism plays a vital part in our community growth,” chamber President Kate Sedgmer remarked to attendees, adding, “Getting people to visit is how you make people fall in love with our area, and Jefferson County has so many things to fall in love with. We know that our scenery, and our landscape and our vibrant community events are not only drawing visitors, but they’re also drawing talent and investment in our area.”

She continued: “We need to capitalize on what we have to offer rather than focusing on what we may be lacking. We’re helping to build a county that thrives on collaboration, as a chamber, and we have all of you to thank for that. Together with other agencies and organizations, we’re moving past personal agendas, shaking hands and working for the greater good. I am so proud of the work that the chamber staff, board and volunteers have done this year, and I hope that each of you are as well.”

Gene Zrinyi, financial adviser for Tri-State Financial Services and president of the chamber’s Ambassador Club, listed the 18 individuals who comprise the club, which is the chamber’s volunteer arm.

The club is responsible for supporting chamber initiatives and events. One of its “proudest achievements” is fundraising for students scholarships in honor or the late Anita Jackson, Zrinyi said, adding that the club has just added a new scholarship for chamber members pursuing further education.

Zrinyi introduced Steeves as this year’s Ambassador of the Year, noting that she’s “been a staple at all of our events the past few years.” Steeves has been instrumental in revamping the chamber’s scholarship effort and adding the new “non-traditional” scholarship, he added.

Next, realtor and auctioneer James Lash noted it’s been one year since the Jefferson County Young Professionals joined with the chamber. The YoPros — as they’re called — are individuals under the age of 40 who meet monthly for networking events and other initiatives.

The group is looking to expand its efforts, teaming up with the Hancock and Brooke Young Professionals, establishing a relocation program for young professionals wanting to live in Jefferson County and connecting students with career fields of their interest.

Lash said that Creek, a life-long Jefferson County resident, is both a YoPro and a chamber ambassador, which “(showcases) her commitment to fostering connections and growth within our community.” Along with her husband, Creek manages two family-owned business, including Elevated Events, which supplied the banquet’s centerpieces.

Chris Orris, vice president of the Ambassador Club, introduced his personal friends Bill and Marsha Cable as recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“As many of you know, Austin Lake has transformed into a beloved tourist destination, attracting visitors from far and near,” Orris said. “This rise in popularity is no accident. It’s a testament to the vision, hard work and dedication of Bill and Marsha. Their tireless commitment to enhancing our community has not only made Austin Lake a space for locals to cherish but has also created a welcoming environment for those visiting from other areas.”

Orris noted that the park received a special recognition in USA Today, “highlighting its status as a must-visit destination.”

The banquet’s featured speaker, Bill Cable spoke on his park’s history and offered pieces of advice to attendees, after making a surprise entrance and remarking, “This is an example of the past that illuminates the future. You are the future.”

Both teachers, Bill and Marsha Cable assumed management of the park in 1988. The park in Knox Township now boasts a 1,300-acre recreational vehicle park, 80-acre lake, family camping and cabins, pontoon rentals, hiking trails, water inflatables and golf cart rentals.

Marsha Cable noted that she and her husband have been married for 53 years, and she acknowledged that their three children were in attendance.

Attendees also heard from a representative of JobsOhio, Ohio’s private economic development corporation and a sponsor of Wednesday’s event. RJ Mancini, manager of state government affairs and external engagements, spoke on his agency’s efforts to support businesses in Ohio, including small business grants. Also a sponsor was OhioSE — JobsOhio’s regional network partner that encompasses Jefferson County — which was represented by project manager Marisa Vetula.

Additionally, Eric Timmons, business development officer for WesBanco and second vice chair of the chamber board, recognized new members of the board who will join in January: Amanda Krupinski of Interstate Waste Services; Cookie West of the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities and LAWS Movement; Phil Reece, owner of GEM City Pizza; Aaron Richardson of Blake, Bender, Blake and Richardson Law Firm; Tim Pierce of Pierce Media and Wes Chastain of Speedy Furniture.

Timmons also recognized Scott Lockhart of Hancock County Savings Bank for six years of service to the board and Toni Moreland for serving as the 2023 board chair.

This year’s banquet took place in the Pope St. Paul VI Conference Center of Franciscan’s Christ the Teacher academic hall, which was constructed for $59 million and officially opened in August. Speaking on behalf of Franciscan was Joe Wallace, director community relations, who told attendees that Steubenville and Jefferson County’s blue collar values set it apart.

“A lot of outsiders will look at our area as rusty, old, outdated,” Wallace said, “but from the inside, we see something totally different here. … That blue collar mentality still exists in this area. The more we show the outside our values that we really hold close here, … the more opportunity and growth will continue to come to this valley. That’s what this building symbolizes to us.”

Sedgmer closed the night by thanking all who made the event possible, including chamber staff and event sponsors, including gold sponsors Beyond Marketing, Capital Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Grae-Con Construction Inc., McKinley Architecture and Engineering, Omni Strategic Technologies, the Ridgefield Group, Trinity Health System and WTOV-TV; silver sponsors WesBanco Inc., OhioSE and JobsOhio and bronze sponsors JK Auto Glass, Toni Moreland State Farm, Encino Energy, Taylor Insurance, Hancock County Savings Bank, Interstate Waste Services and Voto Manufacturers Sales Co.

“I’d also like to give a special thank you to Bill and Marsh Cable for sharing their inspiring, storied insights,” Sedgmer said. “Your commitment to our community truly reminds us that Jefferson County is a wonderful place to live, work and play.”

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