gala
Three Mon Valley businesses were honored along with retired chamber Executive Director Debra Keefer, at the 2022 Annual Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala.
Nearly 80 guests were in attendance for the celebration, which was held recently aboard the Gateway Clipper Princess riverboat. The boat boarded at the Monongahela Aquatorium and set sail for an evening that featured a Captain’s Dinner.
A brief awards ceremony was conducted by chamber Executive Director Leanna Spada.
“This event is, by far, one of our favorites because it celebrates our members,” Spada said. “After all, they are the whole reason the chamber exists.”
The 2022 Outstanding Business Development Award was presented to Diann Donaldson, owner of Jazzy Boutique, located at 1049 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon. This award is given to a business that has successfully expanded a product line and shown significant growth.
Since opening its doors in 2016, Jazzy has been steadily growing and expanding its product lines over the last six years.
The 2022 Excellence in Business Award was awarded to Joseph’s Nursery and Garden Center, located at 921 Rostraver St., Monessen, a fourth-generation family business operating since 1954. This award recognizes a business that continually and consistently provides outstanding products and services as well as demonstrates longevity operating over 20 years.
The 2022 Regional Service Award went to Life’s Work of Western PA. Director of the Mon Valley Division, Edward Frye, accepted the award. Life’s Work, since its inception, has serviced a broad range of individuals seeking to become part of the workforce who have employment barriers. This agency services over 2,000 employees a year ranging from the ages of 14 to adult. Life’s Work’s goal is to make life better for the individuals they serve.
The top honor of the night went to Debra Keefer, the recipient of the “Shining Star” Award. Keefer’s career spans more than four decades and includes a 21-year tenure at the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce before retiring in 2018. Keefer was the second longest director the chamber has seen over its 100-year existence.
She was instrumental in the economic growth projects in the Mon Valley during this time as well as playing a major role in the restructuring of the chamber to become regionalized.
Today, she is still involved in many community organizations such as the Belle Vernon Rotary and Washington County Community Foundation Board and serves as the administrator for both the Charleroi Park Trustees and Plaza Management for the chamber.
Spada credits Keefer for mentoring and guiding her during the transition in leadership at the chamber.
“I have always looked to her for guidance not only at the chamber but in life, she is the best, a true role model,” Spada said.