The Bruce Chamber of Commerce honored Paula Jeffery, Jo Ann Denley and Pontotoc Electric Power Association (PEPA) with their highest honors at Monday’s chamber banquet.
Chamber Member of the Year Jo Ann Denley, Bruce Chamber President Becky Wright and Citizen of the Year honoree Paula Jeffery at Monday’s Bruce Chamber Banquet in the Bruce Museum. Photo by Joel McNeece
Chamber President Becky Wright presented the awards. She described Jeffery, the Citizen of the Year recipient, as someone who always puts others above herself.
“She never thinks about what her actions do for herself, but what they mean for our town,” Wright said of Jeffery. “Whether greeting customers with a smile, offering unwavering hospitality to visitors, dropping off a cake or casserole, helping to mulch flower beds, or pulling weeds on her way to the bank, our Citizen is a pillar of Bruce.”
Jo Ann Denley was presented the Chamber Member of the Year award. Wright praised Denley for her leadership with the Business of the Month Committee and willingness to fill in wherever needed.
PEPA was named Business of the Year. Wright spoke of the tireless efforts of PEPA workers through the recent storms to restore power when lost and their “remarkable support” in all areas to make Bruce a better place.
PEPA Manager Chuck Howell of Pontotoc, PEPA of Bruce Manager Ben Hogan, and PEPA Board President Larry Dale Parker accepted the honor on the cooperative’s behalf.
“I can’t emphasize enough what valuable employees we have,” Parker said. “They are there 24/7 to serve us. We can’t put a value on what PEPA means to this community.”
Pontotoc Electric Power Association, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary, was honored as the Business of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. Accepting the award were, from left, PEPA Board President Larry Dale Parker, PEPA Manager Chuck Howell and PEPA of Bruce Branch Manager Ben Hogan. Photo by Joel McNeece
In conjunction with PEPA celebrating their 80th anniversary, Laura J. Campbell, vice president of customer delivery for TVA, spoke at the banquet on their partnership with PEPA and their importance to economic development efforts throughout the region.
“Delivering affordable, reliable power to the customers is the center-point for all economic development efforts,” Campbell said.
She explained TVA’s focus, like PEPA’s, is on service in three principal areas – energy, environment and economic development.
She spoke of how the price of bread during TVA and PEPA’s tenure has risen from 10 cents to over a $1.50 while a kilowatt of power over the same time period has risen only from two cents to 10 cents.
“Our rates are set to recover costs, not maximize profits,” Campbell said.
Wright concluded the evening by thanking the members of the chamber for their service over the past two years. She will be succeeded by Calhoun County Journal Publisher Joel McNeece as president. Miles Jeffery will be the new chamber vice-president.