of reflection as over 470 Chamber members and guests celebrated the 85th anniversary of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce being an official charted organization. Neil Horton, Bayer Construction, was installed as the 2010 Chairman of the Board and past leaders of the Chamber Board of Directors and charter members were acknowledged. Guests were also treated to a video production recognizing what life in the Little Apple was like when the Chamber was charted in 1925.
The highlight of the evening, as in the past, was the surprise announcement of the 2009 Lud Fiser Citizen of the Year and the 2009 Volunteer of the Year. This year, a special third award was also given away.
Recognized for his contributions, excellent leadership skills and commitment to Manhattan, Dave Dreiling, was awarded the Lud Fiser Citizen of the Year award for 2009. Dreiling, a native Kansan, is a graduate of Kansas State University. While at K-State, he gained valuable experience as the social chairman for the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He quickly realized the potential opportunity for a new sportswear enterprise. Dreiling is owner and CEO of GTM Sportswear. His business has grown from a company of one to the largest private employer in Manhattan today. In 2006 Ernst & Young recognized Dave as their Regional Entrepreneur of the Year. He guest lectures to college classes and student groups on leadership and entrepreneurship, and has been instrumental in the start up of K-State’s new Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship. Dave is also involved in several other business franchises and many community and civic organizations.
Richard Jankovich received the 2009 Volunteer of the Year award for his tireless and successful efforts to secure commercial jet service to Manhattan as Chair of the Manhattan Regional Airport Advisory Board. The culmination of his efforts was the announcement in March of 2009 that American Airlines/American Eagle would start non-stop jet services to Dallas in August of 2009. Understanding the importance, not just to Manhattan but the entire Flint Hills Region, he has spent countless hours raising funds and giving public presentations to community and civic groups to create awareness of the new service. This has resulted in a third non-stop service to Dallas beginning in April of 2010. Jankovich currently serves as Senior Vice President and Commercial Banking Manager for Commerce Bank.
Linda Weis, 2009 Chair of the Chamber Board of Directors, honored Dr. Eugene Klingler with a special award, the Little Apple Cornerstone Award for his vision, determination and willingness to take risks to make Manhattan a stronger community. Dr. Klingler served 14 years on the Manhattan City Commission, including three terms as Mayor, between 1979 and 1993. He has often been credited with being the driving force behind the contentious decision to build the Manhattan Town Center Mall. His career was in the medical field where he as a surgeon in private practice with Surgical Associates until 2000 when he became the Medical Director for the Manhattan Surgical Center, a position he still holds today.
The Chamber would like to thank the sponsors of the event who made the evening such a success:
Platinum Sponsor:
Entertainment Sponsors:
