CHET is “Business of the Year for 2025”

The 39th annual Campbell County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner 

TOP PHOTO: CHET CEO Teresa Dabney received the “Business of the Year” award presented by Sara Lloyd of LaFollette Medical Center.

By Derrick Lee Anderson

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- A great crowd was on hand Thursday night at the Ball Farm Event Center to witness all of the excitement and fun that was the 39th annual Campbell County Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet. The annual banquet and awards dinner is one of the Chamber’s big events which supports Chamber businesses in the area. For attendees, this was an event that became a big success.

See the full photo gallery HERE from WLAF’s Charlie Hutson.

The evening’s delicious food was catered by Classy Threads and Catering (photo above). Laura Byrge of Builtwell Bank delivered the invocation while Vanessa Dupuy and Bobbie Archer of Classy Threads & Catering performed the National Anthem.

Lt. General James Campbell, this year’s keynote speaker, was introduced by Logan Hickman, Jr., retired U-S Army Lieutenant Colonel. During Campbell’s keynote speech, he began his keynote speech by saying that he could feel a sense of community in the room and also thanked the Chamber for strengthening Campbell County.

Campbell touched on the time when the Army sent him to Jumpmaster school, and it changed the course of his life. Not only that, he also pointed out that “the Army gave me so many blessings and so many opportunities.”

“Find your true North in life,” Campbell stated. He then asked the question, “What do you want to be known for?” And another point he touched on, “Stay positive, no matter what,” Campbell explained that “it is easy to be positive when things are going great, and what you do about it defines a person.”

While sharing one of his stories, Campbell says that “anytime you find humor in a situation, you win.”

Campbell would close his keynote speech with this word of encouragement. “No matter what you do in your path of life, keep your heart in it.”

Lt. General Campbell’s speech was one of the highlight of this year’s Chamber banquet and awards dinner, and it led to the presentation of this year’s community awards.

For this year’s dinner, there were various awards presented. However, the big one of the night, the Business of the Year award for 2025, was presented to Community Health of East Tennessee (CHET) whose success in the community has made an impact on everyone since its formation back in 1980. The award was presented to CHET by Sara Lloyd of LaFollette Medical Center.

Other awards being presented during the annual banquet were as follows:

The Educator of the Year was awarded to Mary Beth Seiber (left above) and presented by Debbie Petree of TCAT. Missy Tackett, Executive Director of the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce, is on the right.

The Ambassador of the Year was awarded to Nancy Green and presented by Missy Tackett, Director of the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. In accepting the award, Green said that “she fully believes in the Chamber and fully supports the Chamber.”

The Community Impact Award was awarded to CASA of Campbell County, represented by CASA Director Jan Jones (left) and presented by Cyndi Russell, a member of the Board of Directors.

The New Business of the Year was awarded to Greeneview Farms Market and presented by Manuel Mesa, a Board of Directors member. Angela and David Greene (above) with Greeneview Farms Market.

The Veteran Owned Business of the Year was awarded to Chuck Compton (above left) of Chapman Hill Winery and presented by Logan Hickman.

The Legacy Award was awarded to Walters Funeral Home and presented by Keisha Howard, Chamber Ambassador. In accepting the award, Brent McNeeley said that “they are committed to the community.”

The Young Professional of the Year was awarded to Tayler Franke (above left), and presented by Jessica Stout who read Hosea 10:12 while presenting the award to Franke and also notes that “we are blessed to have Tayler in LaFollette.” During Tayler’s award speech, she thanked everyone in this community and there were so many that were imperative in the process for her.

The Professional of the Year Award was awarded to Raewyn Snodderly (above left) and presented by Brittani Beauchamp, Chamber Ambassador. In accepting the award, Raewyn said that “she has received many blessings in her lifetime.” She also notes in the end of her speech that “Campbell County is a great place to live.”

The Director’s Award was awarded to Jessica Stout (above left) and presented by Missy Tackett, Director of the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce. 

From the delicious food to the great atmosphere, this year’s Chamber banquet and awards dinner was a big success for everyone attending. As for next year, only time will tell as to what will happen then. But for now, let’s congratulate the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce on a job well done this year. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-06/27/2025-6AM)