The Little Elm Chamber of Commerce recognized winners for Little Elm’s Police Officer, Firefighter, Teacher and Business of the Year Awards at the Tribute at the Colony on December 13, 2012. In attendance were several town representatives and town Department leaders including Fire Chief Florentino, Police Chief Rhodes, Town Manager Matt Mueller, Mayor David Hillock and Superintendent of schools for LEISD Lynne Leuthard.
Police Officer of the Year Award
Detective Reid Rossman, Officer Tory Morgan, and Corporal Stoney Ward were submitted into the Board of Directors. Officer Tory Morgan was selected as the winner of the 2012 Police Officer of the Year Award. Officer Morgan has been with the Little Elm Police Department for almost 5 years. Officer Morgan’s normal assignment is School Resource Officer for LEISD. During the summer break Officer Morgan is assigned to the Detective Division. His investigation of the Burglary of a Building that occurred at Lakeview Grocery stands out above the rest of his investigations this past summer. Officer Morgan was able to gather information via detective work and learned that the store would be burglarized again. Additional officers were brought in and surveillance was set up at the store. At approximately mid-night on July 26, 2012, two suspects came to the store in an attempt to burglarize it again. However, Officer Morgan and other officers were able to capture the suspect and help save the store and its staff. Due to his diligence in this investigation, Officer Morgan was able to close two major cases with the arrest of this individual.
Firefighter of the Year Award
Jon-Michael Garza, Jeffrey Thompson, and Roger Konieczny were submitted into the Board of Directors. Jon-Michael Garza was selected as the winner for the 2012 Firefighter of the Year Award. Jon-Michael is a Field Training Officer for the Little Elm Fire Department. One call in particular demonstrated the results of Jon’s efforts and his ability to affectively train. The Little Elm Fire Department was asked to assist the Oak Point Fire department with a major vehicle accident. Upon arrival one vehicle was on its side in a creek with three patients still in the vehicle. One patient was deceased and another one was being treated by the Aubrey Fire Department. Jon and his EMS intern started care on the third patient. This patient was in critical condition and needed rapid medical attention to survive. Jon evaluated and assisted his intern while he worked. The patient had to receive specialize skills that only a confident and well trained paramedic could give. Due to Jon’s training his trainee was able to act quickly to save the patient. Without the prior training that Jon had provided to his trainee the outcome of this incident would not have been the same.
Business of the Year Award
Each year the members of the Little Elm Chamber of Commerce submit businesses that they feel have reflected a positive impact to the public, strong leadership within the business community and community service. This year the award nominees were Capital One Bank of Little Elm, Don’t Let It Break, Little Elm EDC, State Farm-Marc Matney Agent and Waters Edge Café. The selection committee chose State Farm- Marc Matney as the 2012 Business of the Year Award winner. Marc Matney has been the Chairman of the Little Elm Chamber of Commerce for the past two years. He has attended numerous events for the Chamber and helped spearhead multiple initiatives to assist local non-profits. He was a sponsor for Woof Stock, the Music and Arts Festival, the Little Elm Chamber Golf Tournament and volunteered at Summer Rhythms, the Sweetheart Dance and the Meet the Candidates forum. His commitment to the Chamber and the town has resulted in numerous referrals, keeping business local to help promote and grow the town of Little Elm.
Teachers of the Year Award
For the first time the Little Elm Chamber was able to recognize the LEIS Teachers of the Year Award Winners, chosen by a nomination panel for the LEISD consisting of city leaders and Chamber of Commerce personnel. We are happy to announce that Adam Duc, Marina Matus de Garcia, Ronni Hardin, Beverly Jones-Purvis, Kevin Hamlin and Heidi Harrell were all recognized as Outstanding Teachers of the Year for the Little Elm Independent School District. Their commitment to the Little Elm students was recognized for Beverly Jones-Purvis & Kevin Hamlin as recipients of the Overall teacher of the year award.
Sponsors for the Little Elm Awards Banquet included Kroger of Little Elm, Atmos Energy, CoServ Electric, Capital One Bank of Little Elm, Quality Excavation, and the Little Elm EDC.
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About the Little Elm Chamber of Commerce
The Little Elm Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, membership-driven organization comprised of 230 business enterprises, civic organizations, education institutions and individuals. Its mission is to provide leadership that will help create regional economic prosperity and success for its members in North Texas. For more information visit www.lechamber.wpengine.com.