ROOSEVELT COUNTY ANNUAL CHAMBER AWARDS
The Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Awards ceremony on Friday, May 7th. The scaled down event was held in lieu of its January banquet canceled by public health orders. The theme of the evening was celebrating local business and the color turquoise. The color reference was to the level Roosevelt County has attained in the state’s color-coded COVID-19 framework. “We weren’t even sure if we would have an awards ceremony this year, but once we were in turquoise the board moved forward with the event,” said Chamber Executive Director Karl Terry. “We really celebrate the resilience our local businesses have shown throughout a very difficult year. We’re not home free yet but things are looking up.”
El Rancho Restaurant received the President’s Award for Business of the Year from 2020 President Kathy Mead. The family-owned and operated restaurant has been open since 1989 and has been a hometown favorite for Mexican food for years in Portales. The restaurant struggled through numerous hardships and starts and stops in 2020 to finally reopen at 75 percent indoors this spring.
Retiring City Manager Sammy Standefer received the Warm Heart of the Sunbelt award for his long-time service with City of Portales. He has worked closely with the Chamber and local businesses throughout his career. His retirement is effective May 28.
Matt Hunton received the Workhorse of the Year Award for his service as an Ambassador and as a County Commissioner. He has been instrumental in helping the Ambassadors implement their free movie nights, including a drive-in movie this year. He was also active in the Roosevelt County Complete Count Committee and helped the Chamber organize an online entertainment event that highlighted the importance of completing the Census.
Ambassador President Casey Peacock presented the Ambassador of the Year Award to Wanda Pettus. The award is given to the Ambassador with the best attendance at events and meetings during the year. Pettus has won the award two previous times.
Three Harley & Faye Borden awards were given out based on upgrades to the outside appearance of a business. Those awards went to My Time Donuts after owner/operator Kim Kea built an all new store on South Avenue D in Portales which opened in October. The second award went to Taco Box and owners Tom and Thomas Martin and staff. This past year the store on First and Avenue K got an all new paint job, landscaping and drive-thru updates. Finally, Ace Hardware and the Max Merrick family received the award for their new addition of an all new garden center to their Avenue D store.
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