Huston, Clark honored as chamber’s 2015 Man and Woman of the Year

By SYLVIA HORLANDER
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Friday, Jan. 29, 2016, 12:03 a.m. — The Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients of the chamber’s annual man and woman of the year as well as the volunteer of the year award at its annual dinner Thursday night at the Great Hall at My Old Kentucky Home State Park.

The dinner’s theme was “Learn from the Past, Embrace the Future,” which included a welcome from Samantha Brady, the chamber’s new executive director. Brady welcomed guests and shared her journey from serving as a community event volunteer to being recently named chamber director.

Christy Clark, owner of Mammy’s Kitchen, was named the chamber’s 2015 Woman of the Year. Clark gave an emotional speech, talking about some of her late family and highlighting the support she has now from her current family and the community.

Clark said the recognition meant a lot to her because it confirmed her work has had a positive impact on the community.

“I don’t know if I can ever give back as much as I get from the business that I’m in and through the people I’ve met,” she said. “This really makes me want to continue to try harder to be the best person, the best business owner, the best mother and the best cook I can be.”

Clark succeeds 2014 Woman of the Year Cara Blackmon, who is director of curriculum, instruction and assessment at the Bardstown Independent School district.

Davis L. “Tiger” Huston of Bloomfield was honored as the chamber’s 2015 Man of the Year.

Frank Hall, the chamber’s 2014 Man of the Year, introduced Huston and highlighted the work he has done in the community that led to his nomination.

Huston, who serves as an executive vice president at Wilson & Muir Bank & Trust Co., is chairman of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival board of directors. Under his leadership, the festival has continued to grow and bring thousands of visitors to the community each September.

Tiger Huston said he was humbled when he learned he was chosen Man of the Year.

“It feels good,” he said. “It validates what you do.”

Huston said that while he was being honored for his work with the festival board, he was quick to give credit for the festival’s success to its many past and present volunteers who have helped make it a continued success year after year.

“I’m a very small part (of the Bourbon Festival) … there’s been a lot of people before me, and its supported by a lot of people’s shoulders.”

Jonathan Ray was introduced as the 2016 chamber board chairman was introduced by Matthew Hite, the outgoing 2015 chairman. Ray is the general manager at GBA Office Solutions.

Kim Huston, president and CEO of the Nelson County Economic Development Agency, closed the dinner by introducing a new award: The Virginia Browning Leadership Award.

The first award was presented to Eddie Masterson for his many years of service to the community. Masterson is operations manager at Buzick Lumber & Home Center.

The award’s namesake, Virginia Browning, served as executive director of the Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce for 23 years. She played a large role in getting President Jimmy Carter to visit Bardstown in July 1979.

In addition to her work with the chamber, she was active in community organizations like the Stephen Foster Music Club and Flaget Memorial Hospital.

The first award of the evening went to Martha and Jim Mahoney, who were honored with the 2015 Ron Filkins Volunteers of the Year Award.

Chamber dinner guests enjoyed appetizers from The Java Joint Café and dinner from The Rickhouse. LG&E and KU sponsored the annual dinner.

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