Chamber has annual banquet

The Durant Area Chamber of Commerce annual banquet was held Saturday night at Lost Street Brewing Co. and the theme was, “Yacht Rock.”

Awards presented were: Large Business of the Year, Lighthouse Behavioral Wellness Center; Small Business of the Year, Asian Gourmet; Volunteers of the Year, Krysten Brown and Melodee Teran; Dean Samuel Spirit Award, Scott Corbin; Hall of Fame Inductees, Mona Campbell and Robert Holliday, and Above and Beyond Award, The Peyton Project.

Retiring chamber director Janet Reed was presented a Hall of Fame award and tickets for a cruise, and new CEO of the chamber Kara Byrd was recognized. Outgoing Chamber President Rob Piearcy passed the gavel to incoming President Matt Hunt.

Outgoing board members also were recognized.

In 2024, 75 new members joined the chamber that ranged from single-owner to large businesses. There were seven grand openings of new businesses and 45 ribbon cuttings were held.

The chamber also attended 25 receptions and 15 banquets, plus hosted three parades.

“It’s been an exciting year,” Piearcy said. “Thank you guys for the support of the chamber. We’re only as good as you as members. So, we encourage support at all of the different activities we have and support for Kara coming on as our new CEO.”

Piearcy then introduced Hunt.

Hunt is excited about Byrd taking on the role as CEO.

“She has a lot of great ideas and we’re looking forward to 2025,” Hunt said. “It’s really exciting for Kara to join this scene. I think she’s going to do a really great job.”

Hunt thanked Reed for her service as chamber executive director.

“We can’t thank you enough for everything that you’ve done over the past 19 years,” Hunt said. “You’re going to be missed. To go with the theme, Ms. Janet, for appreciation for everything that you’ve done, a few of the community members have come together and we have purchased you a cruise for two,” Hunt said.

Byrd was then introduced and she said she was honored and excited.

Repeating a phrase used by Reed, Byrd said, “It is not our chamber. It is your chamber.”

  • Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Lighthouse Behavioral Wellness Center was named the Large Business of the Year at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Shown are, Jennifer Lehr, clinic director; Jessica Pfau, Lighthouse CEO; Matt Hunt, left, chamber president, and Rob Piearcy, ex-o_cio chamber president.
    Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Lighthouse Behavioral Wellness Center was named the Large Business of the Year at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Shown are, Jennifer Lehr, clinic director; Jessica Pfau, Lighthouse CEO; Matt Hunt, left, chamber president, and Rob Piearcy, ex-o_cio chamber president.
  • Asian Gourmet was named the Small Business of the Year at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Shown are owners Wu Ye and Gui Ye, Chamber President Matt Hunt, right, and ex-o_cio President Rob Piearcy.
    Asian Gourmet was named the Small Business of the Year at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Shown are owners Wu Ye and Gui Ye, Chamber President Matt Hunt, right, and ex-o_cio President Rob Piearcy.
  • Krysten Brown was named the Volunteer of the Year at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. She is shown with Chamber President Matt Hunt, left, and Rob Piearcy, ex-o_cio president.
    Krysten Brown was named the Volunteer of the Year at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. She is shown with Chamber President Matt Hunt, left, and Rob Piearcy, ex-o_cio president.
  • Melodee Teran was named the Volunteer of the Year at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. She is shown with Chamber President Matt Hunt, right, and Rob Piearcy, ex-o_cio president.
    Melodee Teran was named the Volunteer of the Year at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. She is shown with Chamber President Matt Hunt, right, and Rob Piearcy, ex-o_cio president.
  • Scott Corbin received the Dean Samuel Spirit Award at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. He is shown with Chamber President Matt Hunt, left, and Rob Piearcy, ex-o_cio president.
    Scott Corbin received the Dean Samuel Spirit Award at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. He is shown with Chamber President Matt Hunt, left, and Rob Piearcy, ex-o_cio president.
  • Current and former members of the Leadership Durant class were recognized at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat
    Current and former members of the Leadership Durant class were recognized at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat
  • Robert Holliday was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. He is shown with Chamber President Matt Hunt, left, and Rob Piearcy, ex-o_cio president.
    Robert Holliday was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. He is shown with Chamber President Matt Hunt, left, and Rob Piearcy, ex-o_cio president.
  • Mona Campbell was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. She is shown with Chamber President Matt Hunt, right, and Rob Piearcy, ex-o_cio president.
    Mona Campbell was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. She is shown with Chamber President Matt Hunt, right, and Rob Piearcy, ex-o_cio president.
  • The Peyton Project received the Above and Beyond Award at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Among those shown are founder Krysten Brown, second from left, Chamber President Matt Hunt, left, and ex-o_cio President Rob Piearcy, right.
    The Peyton Project received the Above and Beyond Award at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Among those shown are founder Krysten Brown, second from left, Chamber President Matt Hunt, left, and ex-o_cio President Rob Piearcy, right.
  • Retiring Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Janet Reed was inducted in the Hall of Fame at the chamber’s annual banquet last Saturday at Lost Street Brewing Co. Also shown are Jennifer Brewer, chamber executive assistant/o_ce manager and Matt Hunt, chamber president.
    Retiring Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Janet Reed was inducted in the Hall of Fame at the chamber’s annual banquet last Saturday at Lost Street Brewing Co. Also shown are Jennifer Brewer, chamber executive assistant/o_ce manager and Matt Hunt, chamber president.
  • Kara Byrd, the new CEO of the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce, speaks at the chamber banquet.
    Kara Byrd, the new CEO of the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce, speaks at the chamber banquet.

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