The Troy Chamber of Commerce had their 77^th annual dinner at the Crystal Room on Market Street on the evening of February 25. The elegant, black-tie occasion was a social opportunity for business leaders and city officials to gather and celebrate the experiences and initiatives the community shared in 2015 while anticipating new ventures in the upcoming year.

The most anticipated segment of the evening was the presentation of awards for Outstanding Young Woman and Outstanding Young Man of the Year. These awards go back to 1954. The Troy Chamber of Commerce adopted the legacy from an organization no longer in existence and has carried on the tradition since the year 2000. Many distinguished former recipients of these awards were in attendance for this year’s reveal. The excitement was palpable as Mary Wolke, the 2014 recipient of the Shirley Culp Davies Memorial Outstanding Young Woman of the Year Award, gave a heartwarming speech introducing her successor, Melissa Nichols of Riverside Developmental Disabilities. Nichols grew up in Miami County, graduated from Ohio State University, and has volunteered for many years at Troy Christian School where her children attend, at her church, and at the Miami County Animal Shelter. Her passion is advocacy, to be a voice for those in the community who have no voice. This led her to her current position as the Director of Community Relations at Riverside. “She is a role model every young woman aspires to be,” Wolke said. “We are very fortunate to have her in Troy.”

The A. Robert Davies MD Memorial Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award was presented by Michael Ham, the 2014 recipient. The City of Troy Planning and Zoning Manager, Tim Davis, was the 2015 recipient of the award. According to Ham, “to know him is to admire and respect him for his energy and commitment to others.” Davis received his bachelors and masters degrees at Wright State University and has been an active part of the community, especially where service to youth is concerned. As a member and former president of the Troy Noon Optimists, he has helped with numerous city events including coordination of Troy’s annual Halloween Parade. He is an advisor to the Mayor’s Youth Council and a soccer coach at The Rec Youth Center. This year marks the 23^rd anniversary of his father receiving the award. “He reminds us all of the joy that lies in being a big kid,” Ham said. “I believe there are lessons to be drawn from his joyful way of life and the way that he gives of himself to others.”

This event has special meaning for the Chamber of Commerce and upholds many decades of tradition for the City of Troy. Jon Dankworth of Crown Equipment brought the festivities of the evening to order and performed his final duties as the 2015 Chairman of the Board. Doug Stone was honored for serving as the Strawberry Festival Chairman and the outgoing 2015 Troy Chamber Board of Directors was recognized, including Jim Dromey, Joe Dickerson, Earl Reives, Pat Keaty, Jim Hurak, and Tom Holderread. Before relinquishing his post, Dankworth introduced this year’s incoming Chairman, Lisa Schelin of MainSource Bank. Schelin, then, had the opportunity to introduce the 2016 Board of Directors.

Pictures and a raffle concluded the evening as guests enjoyed conversation and refreshments. The Troy Area Chamber of Commerce Staff responsible for overseeing the organization and planning of the event included President J.C. Wallace, Executive Director Kathi Roetter, Financial Manager Joan Thayer, Event Coordinator Heather Littlejohn, and TSF Manager & Leadership Troy Coordinator Corie Schweser.