CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its 116th annual Dinner & Gala with the theme Navigating the Future, Tuesday, June 8, as more than 250 members filled the Wilma Rudolph Event Center.

Board of Directors Chairman Paul Turner introduced some of the special guests for the evening which included Congressman Mark Green, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, City of Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, and state Sen. Bill Powers.

David “Buck” Dellinger at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce announced its Executive Committee at the Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. Pictured from the left are Jesse Presley, Wes Cunningham, Grayson Smith, Marcia Clark, Catherine Bertoldi, Matt McWhirter, Mark Kelly and Paul Turner. (Lee Erwin)
A few 5 Star Media Group staff members at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Andrea Goble and Ken Goble at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Neil and Tiffanie Stauffer at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
City Judge Charles Smith and Cindy Chambers at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Erin Yow and Eric Yow at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Katie Gambill, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett and wife Mary Durrett at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala on Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Wes Golden, and wife Sara at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala on Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Tennessee 7th sU.S. Congressman Mark Green and wife Camie at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala on Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
City of Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, and wife Cynthia Pitts at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala on Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala on Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Tennessee 7th District U.S. Congressman Mark Green at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala. Tue June 8 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Altra Federal Credit Union enjoys the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala on Tue June 8 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala on Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala on Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Paul Turner at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala. Tue June 8 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Melinda Shepard, Paul Turner and Charlie Faust at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala. Tue June 8 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Melinda Shepard, Paul Turner, and Tyler Mayes at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala. Tue June 8 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Melinda Shepard, Paul Turner and Antonio Murgas at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala. Tue June 8 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Melinda Shepard, Paul Turner, and Rich Holladay at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Dinner & Gala. Tue, June 8 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Mark Kelly with his daughters, Antoinette Nicole and Ashley Noel, at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala, Tue June 8 2021. (Lee Erwin)

The Chamber of Commerce honored members with their their annual awards which included the Clarksville Chamber Community Commitment Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Ambassador of the Year Award, Clarksville Young Professional of the Year Award, and the Boots to Suits Award.

The Ted A. Crozier Sr. Community Commitment Award honors individuals or organizations that showcase the spirit of the community, and the 2021 award went to Project 2231, Trent and Dana Knott and family.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was created to honor a Chamber member that has shown dedication to the community and the Chamber of Commerce. The 2021 award was presented to Charlie Faust.

Ambassadors with the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce are goodwill representatives that work for business and community interest in Clarksville-Montgomery. The Ambassador of the Year for 2021 was Tyler Mayes.

The 2021 Clarksville Young Professional of the Year Award which focuses on professional and community development, went to Antonio Murgas, who has volunteered countless hours and has proven he cares about the community.

The Boots to Suits Award recognizes a Clarksville military veteran who through their professional and personal efforts make a positive impact throughout the business community. The 2021 Boots to Suits award was given to Rich Holladay.

A new award was presented this year, Woman in Business. The Chamber of Commerce wanted to honor their late friend and colleague, Valerie Hunter-Kelly. Hunter-Kelly was extremely involved with the Chamber and the community and the Vhamber wanted to recognize her contributions.

The Award was presented by Mark Kelly, husband of the late Valerie Hunter-Kelly and the chair-elect, first vice-chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Kelly was joined by daughters Antoinette Nicole and Ashley Noel for the presentation. The 2021 Woman in Business Award went to Neisha Wolfe.

Also introduced at Tuesday’s Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Gala was the new chief executive officer for the Clarksville-Montgomery County Economic Development Council, David “Buck” Dellinger, who began his role on June 1.