Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce announces award winners
Joe Tyson stands outside his home in Kinston. Tyson retired from the Kinston City Council in December 2019. Photo by Janet Sutton/ Neuse News
The Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce held their annual award ceremony on January 28, 2021, announcing the winners of the 2020 Ambassador of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award, and the Citizen of the Year.
Tammy Kelly, Director of the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Office presented the Kinston-Lenoir County 2020 Ambassador of the Year Award to Jon Clemmens.
“He is community-minded and has led his organization with equipment drives, food drives, and has provided an environment to give many non-profit organizations more visibility and exposure through the Down East Wood Ducks events,” said Kelly.
Jon Clemmons, center, is the 2020 winner of the Ambassador of the Year award from the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce. Clemmons is the assistant general manager of the Down East Wood Ducks. On hand for the ceremony were, from left, Chamber Executive Director Craig Hill and Tammy Kelly, the director of the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Office. Photo by Bryan Hanks / Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce
Chairman of the Lenoir County Commissioners and Vice President of Governmental Affairs for Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce, Linda Rouse Sutton presented the award for the 2020 Young Professional of the Year to Lenoir County’s County Manager Michael James.
“His calm demeanor and articulate communication skills have served the County’s over 4000 employees and 58,000 citizens with both effectiveness and efficiency,” said Rouse Sutton.
Lenoir County Manager Michael James, second from left, is the 2020 Young Professional of the Year. At his presentation were, from left, Chamber Executive Director Craig Hill, Lenoir County Board of Commissioners Chair Linda Rouse Sutton and Vickie King, the administrative assistant to the county manager. Photo by Bryan Hanks / Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce
Deborah Grimes, Senior Vice President of Instruction and Student Service at Lenoir Community College presented the 2020 Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award to Dr. Alexis Welch.
“During this Pandemic year her legacy of training people over several decades serving in the Health Care Arena has provided our community with a highly trained workforce to face the challenges rendered by Covid-19,” said Grimes.
Dr. Alexis Welch of Lenoir Community College, second from left, is the 2020 Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award winner. She was joined at the presentation by, from left, Chamber Executive Director Craig Hill, Dr. Deborah Grimes of LCC and LCC President Dr. Rusty Hunt. Photo by Bryan Hanks / Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director of the Kinston-Lenoir Chamber of Commerce, Craig Hill, presented the 2020 Citizen of the Year award to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph M. Tyson, Sr. United States Army (retired).
“He served his country as a military officer, retiring at a rank of Lieutenant Colonel,” said Hill. “He has served his community as a JROTC instructor, husband, father, mentor, and City Councilmen.”
Army Lt. Col. Joseph M. 'Joe' Tyson (Ret.), second from left, is the 2020 Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. On hand for the presentation were, from left, Mike Parker, David Mooring and Chamber Executive Director Craig Hill. Parker and Mooring nominated Tyson for the award. Photo by Bryan Hanks / Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce
Due to the pandemic, the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce was not able to hold the annual banquet in person and utilized an online platform. but hopes in the future to be able to do so.
