Finalists announced

The finalists have been selected.

Jay County Chamber of Commerce announced the finalists for the Jay County Community Awards late Friday afternoon, with three longtime members of volunteer boards — Leland and Judy LeMaster, and Gary Stewart — leading the list as nominees for the Spirit of Vicki Lifetime Achievement Award.

Finalists were announced across nine other categories — Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year, Industry of the Year, Not-for-profit of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, Dunkirk Community Commitment, Small Community Commitment, Innovator of the Year and Community Group of the Year — as well, with winners to be announced during an awards banquet Saturday, May 11.

“Each finalist is deserving of this recognition; and in their own way, contributed to our Jay County communities,” said Tabby Sprunger, executive director of the chamber of commerce, in a press release. “They make Jay County resourceful, strong and so proud.”

The LeMasters are finalists for the Lifetime Achievement Award, which is named in honor of former chamber director Vicki Tague, for their commitment to Portland Morning Optimist Club and various other community involvement. Stewart was nominated for his 25-year service to Jay County Fair Board and his work for more than 40 years with Franklin Electric and Coppersmith.

Finalists for Citizen of the Year are Portland Fire Chief Mike Weitzel, The Farmers State Bank branch manager Tami Vormohr and The Graphic Printing Company president, editor and publisher Ray Cooney.

Beauty Bar, Wheel & Spoke and Strohl Appliance and Electronics are the finalists for Business of the Year. Industry of the Year finalists are Joyce/Dayton, Pennville Custom Cabinetry and Ohio Valley Gas.

Finalists for other awards are:

Not-for-profit of the Year — Jay County Development Corporation, Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition, The Portland Foundation

Dunkirk Community Commitment — Scott Nuttle and Rob Bechtel, Jack Robbins, Sculpt Fitness

Young Professional of the Year — LeeAnn Miller, Gentry Clark, Klarissa Hemmelgarn, Tanner McClain

Innovator of the Year — Paws & Claws, Blessings Photography, Toddlertown Early Learning, IU Health Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic

Small Community Commitment — Pennville Community Park Board, Mark Leavell, Bryant Park Board

Community Group of the Year — Kids Purpose Project, Secret Families Christmas Charity of Jay County, 2 Guys Pies

Several of this year’s finalists are previous winners of the awards for which they are nominated, including Pennville Custom Cabinetry in 2004, The Portland Foundation in 2018, Jack Robbins, Sculpt Fitness and Mark Leavell all in 2019 and Mike Weitzel in 2020. The antique mall won the Innovator of the Year Award in 2017 when it was under different ownership.