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The group hands out its Merit Award and Boss of Year honors and installs officers at a banquet.
By JULIANNE WU
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 15, 2001
LARGO -- Dr. Jim Olliver knew he was going to be reinstalled as the Greater Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce's treasurer at Saturday night's banquet in the Bayou Club in Largo.
He was surprised, though, when he also named the chamber's Merit Award winner for 2000. The award is given only to members.
Equally surprised was Barbara Kotchevar, director of Arden Courts of Seminole, a facility for Alzheimer's patients, who won Boss of the Year honors. The award is given to someone in the Seminole area who has been nominated by employees.
Master of ceremonies Tim Schuler said of Olliver's award, the 22nd given by the chamber since 1979: "Sometimes, we decide to list the person's accomplishments first without giving away their identity. But, tonight, there is no way I can suppress the name of the winner. You will recognize him or her right away."
Schuler is a two-time Merit Award winner and a former chamber president.
After describing how the person had helped the chamber come together with businesses, education and local government, Schuler announced Olliver's name.
All smiles, Olliver walked to the podium and quipped: "As treasurer, I asked him how much this plaque cost. But, seriously, I'm totally surprised and honored by this."
Olliver, 52, has been provost of the Seminole campus of St. Petersburg Junior College since 1996 and has worked for the university system since 1989. He has his master's and a doctorate from Florida State University.
As a chamber member, Olliver has represented the group at City Council meetings and county meetings. He has also played a key role in organizing the Chamber Education Foundation, bringing the chamber, various governmental units, and educational institutions together. And last spring, he organized the chamber's annual Educator of the Year breakfast.
After the ceremony, Olliver's wife, Shelia commented: "As soon as I heard the first couple of words, I knew it was Jim. But, people don't know Jim like I do. He was pretty humbled by the award."
At another table, Kotchevar, 56, was enjoying the attention from her fellow Arden Courts' workers. "I've only been there since May 1," she said, "so you can see why I was so surprised to get this award. The employees are so great . . . it's like one family."
On the Boss of the Year nomination form, Susan McClelland, Arden Courts marketing director and Kotchevar's co-worker, had written: "We are so blessed to have such a wonderful director. . . . Barbara arrives at work early and stays late. She covers shifts if needed. And, she is cheerful from the beginning of the day until its end and thanks us for our help when we leave to go home."
Kotchevar has worked in the health-care field either as a caregiver, an administrator or other capacities for about 15 years. She has a bachelor's degree in health care administration from Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tenn.
The evening also saw the installation of Gene Anderson as chamber president for 2001 and the board of directors, including attorney John Elias, president-elect; Seminole optometrist Dr. Claude McMullen, secretary; and Olliver as treasurer. Larry C. Cunningham will remain on the board as past president.
Other board members include the Rev. John Denmark, Mary Morris, Harold "Doc" Kinsey, Janet Long, Jenny Higgins, Bob Holtzman, Wilda Whittle and Carol Hajek, also a member of the Seminole City Council.