PV Chamber of Commerce names Citizens of the Year for 2020-2021

  • The Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce named First United Bank as the 2021 Corporate Citizen of the Year during the Chamber’s Centennial Celebration Tuesday night.
    The Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce named First United Bank as the 2021 Corporate Citizen of the Year during the Chamber’s Centennial Celebration Tuesday night.
  • The Pauls Valley Samaritans Food Pantry was named 2020 Corporate Citizen of the Year during the Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Centennial Celebration Tuesday night. Bonnie Meisel (left) and Lou Hall accepted the award on behalf of Samaritans. Meisel was also named the 2020 Citizen of the Year for her work with the Samaritans Food Pantry during the COVID-19 pandemic last year, as well as her volunteer work with multiple other civic organizations to serve the Pauls Valley community.
    The Pauls Valley Samaritans Food Pantry was named 2020 Corporate Citizen of the Year during the Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Centennial Celebration Tuesday night. Bonnie Meisel (left) and Lou Hall accepted the award on behalf of Samaritans. Meisel was also named the 2020 Citizen of the Year for her work with the Samaritans Food Pantry during the COVID-19 pandemic last year, as well as her volunteer work with multiple other civic organizations to serve the Pauls Valley community.
  • Jason Selman was named 2021 Citizen of the Year during the Chamber Celebration Tuesday night for his outstanding community support and his contributions to improving the quality of life in Pauls Valley.
    Jason Selman was named 2021 Citizen of the Year during the Chamber Celebration Tuesday night for his outstanding community support and his contributions to improving the quality of life in Pauls Valley.
  • Jason Selman with his wife, Julie, just before he was named the 2021 Citizen of the Year at the Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce Celebration Tuesday night.
    Jason Selman with his wife, Julie, just before he was named the 2021 Citizen of the Year at the Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce Celebration Tuesday night.

The Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce announced its Citizen of the Year and Corporate Citizen of the Year for 2020 and 2021 Tuesday night during the Chamber’s Centennial Celebration event.

The announcement of the 2020 Citizens of the Year was postponed last year, along with the Chamber’s annual banquet, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pauls Valley Samaritans Food Pantry was honored as the Corporate Citizen of the Year for 2020. The food pantry, which was founded in 1978 and relies solely on private donations, has traditionally served only the Pauls Valley community, but the challenges brought on by COVID-19 in 2020, made it necessary for Samaritans to begin providing services throughout the county.

Lou Hall and Bonnie Meisel accepted the award on behalf of the Samaritans.

Meisel was also named as the Citizen of the Year for 2020, in part due to her work in leading the Samaritans Food Pantry during the challenges they faced last year. Meisel also serves the Pauls Valley community in multiple other capacities including holding a seat on Pauls Valley’s City Council, where she serves as vice-mayor. She also volunteers with Pauls Valley Arts Council and Pauls Valley’s Ministerial Alliance and assists with community beautification efforts including Pockets of Progress.

“I do it for what I get back, not what I give. I get so much more in return, than I give,” Meisel said of her service as she accepted the Citizen of the Year award.

Jason Selman was named Citizen of the Year for 2021. Selman has worked as Pauls Valley’s Tourism Director for the last six years, promoting Pauls Valley and bringing tourism to the community through events like Pauls Valley’s Brickfest and the Okie Noodling Fishing Tournament.

“He is always energetic and helpful, preferring to avoid the spotlight and instead work behind the scenes,” Chamber President Nancy Runge said as she presented the award.

Selman is also an active member of the Pauls Valley Lions Club, has served as a volunteer fireman for the City of Pauls Valley for 12 years and coaches little league baseball.

“I’m very grateful and humbled by this honor. It means a lot to me,” Selman said, adding that he was expecting to hear a friend’s name announced as Citizen of the Year. “I was really surprised. They did a great job of keeping it secret.”

The 2021 Corporate Citizen of the Year went to First United Bank for its community involvement including supporting local schools and youth organizations and causes, non-profit organizations, and first responders and frontline workers. The bank also hosts a variety of events that benefit the community including financial workshops and classes, OBI blood drives, vaccine clinics and health and fitness classes.

“If there is a need, this organization is on the frontlines to help the community,” Chamber Executive Board Chair Connie Upton said as she presented the award.

First United’s Community Bank President J.D. Bostic accepted the award on behalf of the bank, accompanied by other bank employees.

“Our team has a heart for service, and I’m honored to work for an organization that allows us to do this,” Bostic said as he accepted the award.

The Chamber also awarded a new honor at Tuesday night’s celebration. Jaclyn Woods was named Chamber Champion for her service on the Chamber of Commerce Executive Board. Among other things, Woods has been an integral part of planning and implementing the annual Okie Noodling Festival and the Chamber’s golf tournament fundraiser.