‘To him, all that matters is a good deed done’

He is one who gives of himself and his time freely, and it’s because of that dedication to the community, Brewton YMCA Director Steven Dickey was chosen as the Greater Brewton Area Chamber of Commerce’s citizen of the year.

Escambia County Tax Collector Thad Moore Jr. described Dickey as one who “never asks for credit.”

“In fact, he shies away from it,” Moore said. “To him, all that matters is that a good deed is done or that someone is helped. Receiving credit is irrelevant.”

Which is why many may not realize the impact Dickey has in the area, Moore said as he talked about Dickey’s accomplishments – Rotary Club president, past Kiwanis Club president, Sunday school teacher, volunteer coach and a “great husband and father.”

“When I asked (Dickey’s) wife to describe him she sent me a Bible verse,” Moore said. “She sent Matthew, chapter 5, verse 16, ‘Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.’ And that fits him perfectly.”

Dickey also recently donated a kidney to a fellow YMCA employee, Moore said.

“Let me be clear,” he said. “That is not the reason, (Dickey) is receiving this award. He is receiving this award because he epitomizes the spirit of this award.

“He treats all of us so well that we feel like we are all his best friends,” Moore said. “He makes each of us feel special.”

After the presentation, Dickey was nearly speechless, “I don’t know what to say. I am humbled.”

 

He saved Brewton jobs

Grede general manager Darryl Konsler is credited with saving some 300 jobs shortly after his arrival in Brewton.

It is because of that effort and others that he was chosen as the Greater Brewton Area Chamber of Commerce’s business citizen of the year.

Konsler was hired in May 2010, said Heather Walton, presenter and Grede’s human resource director.

“Instead of outsourcing these jobs to one of the 14 other Grede locations or elsewhere, he was tasked with saving Brewton’s facility from being forced to close its doors,” she said. “Not only did he achieve what corporate asked him to do, but he also led the Brewton location in winning the William Grede Eagle Award in 2013 and 2015.”

The awards, which are an industry goal, focus on improvement, environmental impact, over all quality and more.

Konsler also serves on the chamber board and encourages all Grede employees to participate in all community-related activities, Walton said.

“To say (Konsler) is a standup, trustworthy man of faith who puts his family, coworkers and community ahead of himself would be an understatement,” said Larry Foreman, Grede’s corporate vice president.

Konsler was shocked and humbled by the award.

“We’ve grown to love this place,” he said of Brewton. “We are honored to live here.”