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Letter to the editor

Chamber awards year's top county businesses

Rinker Materials, Brooksville Cardiology and Cortez Community Bank get highest honors.

By BARBARA BEHRENDT
Published June 9, 2007

SPRING HILL - Three companies were named Hernando County businesses of the year Friday evening during the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce's annual awards and installation banquet at the Palace Grand.

The awards went to Rinker Materials, in the category of 50 or more employees; Cortez Community Bank, 11 to 49 employees, and Brooksville Cardiology, 10 or fewer employees.

The Business of the Year award is for businesses that have been in the area for a year or more and demonstrate significant financial, social or cultural impacts in the community.

Duane Chichester, publisher of Hernando Today, was awarded the Alfred A. McKethan Citizen of the Year Award for his service to the local community and the chamber.

The winner of this year's Entrepreneur of the Year award was Steve Schurdell of WJQB-FM 106.3 True Oldies. The chamber gives this honor to a member who uses initiative, creativity and acceptance of risk, promoting success of others through leadership.

Michael McHugh, director of the Hernando County Office of Business Development, was honored with the Government Service award for his initiative, beyond his normal job responsibilities, to improve the community.

The Chamber Service award was given to Deborah Cutlip of Cutlip Financial for service promoting the chamber's interests and membership.

The chamber's 2007-08 board of directors was installed, including chairwoman Lori Bainum, Hernando County advertising manager for the St. Petersburg Times.

This year's banquet, "Searching for the Stars," featured an Academy Awards-style theme.

[Last modified June 8, 2007, 20:12:31]