Annual Dinner & Citizen of the Year Celebration
January 2026
Presentation and Annual Dinner
Celebrating the people and ideas moving our community forward
Progress takes shape when people bring their ideas, experience and leadership to a shared purpose. Each year, the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner brings business and community leaders together to recognize the people and organizations creating new opportunities and strengthening the Howell area and Livingston County.
Honoring Community Impact and Business Excellence
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Citizen of the Year
The Citizen of the Year honor recognizes an individual whose service, leadership and commitment have made a meaningful difference in the Howell area.
Rick Scofield Business of the Year
LEAD | Setting the standard
The Chamber’s premier business recognition honors an organization that exemplifies excellence in business and leadership. The recipient demonstrates sustained success, integrity, innovation and commitment to its employees, customers and community.
Considerations may include business performance, reputation, leadership, organizational growth, employee commitment, community engagement and overall contribution to the business community.
Collaborative Impact Award
CONNECT | Stronger together
Recognizes an organization that brings partners together to address a meaningful business or community need. Through shared ideas, resources and action, the recipient creates lasting impact and strengthens the vitality of our region.
Examples may include workforce and talent initiatives, education and employer partnerships, entrepreneurship, community or economic development, quality of life initiatives, or other collaborative efforts.
Economic Advancement Award
ADVOCATE | Building opportunity
Recognizes an organization that contributes to the economic vitality and future of the Howell area and greater Livingston County. Through investment, expansion, job creation or retention, redevelopment, innovation or significant business growth, the recipient creates opportunity and supports the region’s long-term prosperity.
Together, these honors celebrate the people and organizations whose service, collaboration, investment and leadership help move our community forward.
Citizen of the Year Award Winners
1957 Dr. Louis May
1958 Paul Baldwin, Jr.
1959 William McPherson IV
1960 Stanley Dickson
1961 Charles Itsell
1962 Clifton Heller
1963 Fred Catrell
1964 Joseph Brady
1965 Robert Withey
1966 Robert Akin
1967 William Ladner
1968 Harold Shippy
1969 William Scofield
1970 Robert M. Reid
1971 Marvin (Mike) Hagman
1972 Hollis Arnold
1973 Albert Latson
1974 Charles Sutton
1975 Berthold Woodhams
1976 Duane Zemper
1977 James Campbell
1978 Joseph Harris
1979 James Young
1980 Richard Slayton
1981 Dr. Roscoe & Darbi Stuber
1982 Roy Westran
1983 Ann Bignell
1984 Louis Anderson
1985 Don & Emily Rhodes
1986 Rick Scofield
1987 Edward McPherson
1988 Audrey Murray
1989 Edward MacDonald
1990 Kenneth Carothers
1991 Michael Yost
1992 Maurice Coles
1993 James & Caroline Barley
1994 Barbara D. Draper
1995 Paul Streng
1996 Brian MacDonald
1997 David Jonckheere
1998 Ed Doane
1999 Susan Grimes Munsell
2000 Paul F. Rogers
2001 Lee Reeves
2002 Gregory Clum
2003 Dennis Gehringer
2004 Vic Lopez
2005 John Howell
2006 Mike Hall
2007 Jeanne Clum
2008 Don & Sandie Cortez
2009 Peter Bowen & Charlotte Swann
2010 Kim Dane
2011 Steve Manor
2012 Kathleen Zaenger
2013 Brent Earl
2014 Mike Murphy
2015 Brian Jonckheere
2016 Patti Griffith
2017 Pat Convery
2018 Carol Griffith
2019 Harry Griffith
2020 Erin MacGregor
2021 Nick Proctor
2022 George Moses
2023 Richard Lim
2024 Dr. Henry Vaupel
2025 Pastor Jeffrey Blagg
