By Andra Bryan Stefanoni
news@joplinglobe.com
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Las Vegas was the theme, and there were plenty of winners at the annual Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce banquet Friday night at Memorial Auditorium.
But the winners weren’t from hands of cards: Blake Benson, chamber president, said the goal of the event was to recognize those businesses and individuals that help Pittsburg to thrive.
The Employer of the Year Award was presented to Watco, a transportation company founded by Dick and Kaye Lynne Webb that celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. Dick Webb died on March 23, making the award “bittersweet,” his son, Rick, said upon accepting the award.
Rick Webb, who serves as the company’s chief executive officer, attributes the company’s success to his dad’s vision, honesty and hard work; his mom’s support; and the dedication of the company’s 2,001 employees.
The Small Business of the Year Award was given to Pinamonti Orthodontics, one of three nominees for the award.
Opened by Pittsburg native Gina Pinamonti in 1998, the business now serves patients from throughout Southeast Kansas.
The Spirit of Pittsburg award, bestowed annually on someone who makes personal sacrifice and gives talent, time and enthusiasm to make Pittsburg a better place, was given posthumously to Dick Webb.
Accepting on his behalf were his family, including children and grandchildren, and his wife of 52 years, Kaye Lynne, who was a Spirit of Pittsburg winner 10 years ago.
“I feel like a Charles Dickens novel,” she said. “For the past three and a half months it’s been the best of times, the worst of times.”
For the first time, a second Spirit of Pittsburg winner was announced: Marty Beezley, who has served on the boards of the United Way, Elm Acres, Wesley House, Mount Carmel Regional Medical Center, the City Commission, and is a two-time mayor of Pittsburg.
Ron Marrone, co-chairman of the Business Education Alliance, presented a volunteer award to Brandon Brill, Crossland Construction, for his work in bringing together the construction industry and education through school programs across Southeast Kansas, and to Harvey and Sharon Dean, Pitsco, for their support of the Youth Leadership Crawford County program that has served 2,500 students in the past five years.
