The Southlake Chamber of Commerce named Mayor Laura Hill the Chamber Citizen of the Year during the 2018 Chamber Awards Banquet “Bollywood Nights.”
According to the Chamber, the award is given annually to the Southlake citizen whose unparalleled efforts and service make the City of Southlake a better place for everyone.
“When you think about the definition of a Citizen of the Year, our very own Mayor Laura Hill is the perfect example,” said Cheryl Fairbanks, Chairperson of the Southlake Chamber Board of Directors. “Mayor Hill is business friendly and has opened new avenues for the business community.”
The Mayor called the evening “An amazing evening of friendship, celebrating the Southlake business community and its spirit of giving. While last night was an Awards Banquet, it was really more of a recognition of Southlake and the common goals we share. The Southlake business community is constantly called upon to make donations, offer free services and support with cash. Their generosity is vital to a healthy community.”
A Southlake resident since Southlake since 1997, Mayor Hill has a long history of passionately serving her community. Starting in 2004, she has been involved in City leadership and a strong supporter of future leaders. From the creation of SPARK (Students and Parents Against Risks to our Kids) and SASO (Scholars and Athletes Serving Others) to the creation of SKIL (Southlake Kids Interested In Leadership), the Mayor’s passion for students serving their community has offered many tremendous the opportunities for hundreds of Southlake children and teens.
The Mayor also hosts the popular “Meet the Mayor” events. The events are designed to introduce residents to different Southlake businesses that are often unique to the community.
Mayor Hill is the co-owner of Downey Publishing and Texas Ice Cream. She is the founder and executor for the Downey Art for Education Trust, Advisory Board & Past Board Chair for the Recovery Resource Council of Tarrant County and an Advisory Board Member, Texas State Dyslexia Licensing Committee.
Carroll ISD Superintendent Dr. David Faltys was named the 2013 Citizen of the Year at the 2013 Celebrating Community MVPs Awards Banquet last Thursday, June 20. The awards ceremony hosted by the Southlake Chamber of Commerce recognizes outstanding community contributors for making a difference in Southlake.
The Citizen of the Year Award recognizes unparalleled efforts and service making the city of Southlake a better community. Residing in Southlake with his wife, Jennifer, and four children, Dave, Peyton, Kenton and Lauren, Dr. Faltys has served Carroll ISD as Superintendent since January of 2006.
Since being named CISD Superintendent, Faltys has deservingly gained the trust and admiration of the Southlake community. Under his leadership, CISD has earned the state’s highest rating of “Exemplary,” won three consecutive College Board AP District Honor Roll Awards and won back-to-back 5A University Interscholastic League Lone Star Cups for academic, athletic and fine arts success. Dr. Faltys helped found the Public Education Visioning Institute, which serves as a guide for educational reform to ensure Texas public schools prepare students for the digital age.
During his tenure, Carroll ISD has earned the state’s top Superior Rating on the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) every year. In 2009, the district was named the Corporate Business of the Year by the Southlake Area Chamber of Commerce, and in 2010, Dr. Faltys was named Region XI Superintendent of the Year. Winner out of the three finalists, Dr. David Faltys can now add Citizen of the Year to his list of impressive achievements.
Bob Ortegel, Fox Sports Network Commentator and former Dallas Mavericks broadcaster for 23 years has been announced as the featured speaker and emcee at the Southlake Chamber’s Awards Banquet scheduled for Thursday, June 20, at 6:30 pm, at the Marriott Solana Hotel.
“Bob has been an MVP in broadcasting for his entire career and was a very successful basketball coach at Drake University prior to entering broadcasting”, said Mark Jones, Chairman of First Financial Bank and 2013 Annual Banquet Chair. “We are very fortunate to have Bob host our MVP tailgate party and expect our event to be very entertaining”.
With the success of last year’s more casual event and the long history of successful teams of all kinds in the Southlake area it seemed only fitting that we should have a tailgate theme to celebrate the success of local businesses and the MVP’s (Chamber Members) responsible for that success. We are encouraging this year’s attendees to wear the colors, t shirts, polo’s, jerseys or whatever they would wear to a game to support their team at tailgate festivities.
Chamber Interim President Mark Guilbert said, “We are honored and excited to have Bob as our featured speaker. This is an individual that has proven that hard work and dedication will lead to great success, a valuable and important lesson for businesses and leaders in our own region.”
Award Descriptions
The Awards Banquet is a time that the Southlake Chamber takes to recognize and honor outstanding local leaders and businesses for making a difference and inspiring others within the community and
Chamber. The awards presented our listed below:
Citizen of the Year – the most coveted Chamber Award, celebrates outstanding effort, service and contribution to the community and recognizing excellence in leadership to make this City a better place for everyone.
Corporate Business of the Year – recognizes and celebrates the dedication and service of a business to the region and making it a better place for all to live or do business while exemplifying a commitment to excellence.
Civic Group of the Year – recognizes and celebrates an organization that has had a positive impact through their involvement in the community and as a result of actions taken by the organization to improve the lives of others.
Small Business of the Year – recognizes and celebrates service and commitment to the community while building on the City’s strong business and community environment and exemplifying a commitment to excellence.
Volunteer of the Year – celebrates outstanding volunteer service and contribution to the community and Chamber and recognizing excellence in leadership, dedication to improving the lives of others, and an ability to motivate others to follow their lead in service.
Sponsorships, tables and individual tickets are currently available by clicking on “Featured Event” at www.SouthlakeChamber.com.