By By MICHELE GERLACH Publisher
The Greater Brewton Area Chamber of Commerce named Yank Lovelace its business citizen of the year Thursday night, while Dr. Marsha Raulerson received the comparable award for civic involvement.
The two outstanding leaders were honored before a sold-out crowd at the Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet, held at the County Club of Brewton.
Mayor Ted Jennings presented Lovelace's award, citing his involvement in numerous civic organizations and his recent efforts to form the Tri County Industrial Development Authority, which he chairs.
Lovelace, is CEO of The Securance Group, formed earlier this year when Escambia Insurance Agency (EIA) in Brewton merged with Maxwell, Haley &Castleberry in Atmore and Jinright-Turner Insurance &Bonds in Montgomery.
He is a former chairman of United Way of Brewton, has served as president of the Chamber of Commerce and the Brewton Rotary Club, and as chairman of the Escambia County Republicans. He currently serves on the board of the Bank of Brewton, is president of the Country Club of Brewton and fundraising chairman of the East Escambia Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Stephanie Walker presented Raulerson's award, describing her as a "remarkable person."
Raulerson is a pediatrician who has worked on numerous projects to better the lives of children.
Locally, she has helped form Partners for Tomorrow, a mentoring program for parents to help prepare children for school; worked to get a Kid One Transport program in Escambia County, a service that provides transportation to and from the doctor for families in need; founded a child care facility; and started the STARS reading program, providing new books to children every time they visit her office and setting up libraries in the health department, the hospital ER, Hope Place and other places where families in crisis might be.
Congressman Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, delivered the keynote address, encouraging Brewton residents to "dream big."
Quoting former President Ronald Reagan, Bonner said, "If you work together and don't worry who gets the credit, you can accomplish much more."
See the Wednesday edition of The Standard for an in-depth report of Bonner's comments.