Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kelsy Eaton, welcomes attendees to the 111th Annual Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce Dinner, hosted at the Dyson-Baudo Recreation Center at Marietta College. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

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Photo by Gwen Sour

Holly Hamrick, Makerspace assistant director, shows off the laser engraver at the Building Bridges to Careers booth during the annual Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce dinner Monday at Marietta College’s Dyson-Baudo Recreation Center.

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Photo by Gwen Sour

Joe Grimm shares his appreciation for being recognized with the Gabe Zide Citizen of the Year Award at Monday’s Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce dinner. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Marty Clark accepts the Washington County Council of Cooperatives Agriculture Award during the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce dinner Monday at Marietta College’s Dyson-Baudo Recreation Center.

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Photo by Gwen Sour

Joe Grimm shares his appreciation for being recognized with the Gabe Zide Citizen of the Year Award at Monday’s Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce dinner.

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Holly Hamrick, Makerspace assistant director, shows off the laser engraver at the Building Bridges to Careers booth during the annual Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce dinner Monday at Marietta College’s Dyson-Baudo Recreation Center. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Photo by Gwen Sour

Brittany Fox of Foxxie Photography takes a picture of Jim Vuksic’s acceptance speech for the Business Leader of the Year Award at Monday’s Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce dinner.

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Photo by Gwen Sour

From left, WMOA’s Shawn Jones, morning show/mid-day show producer, and program director Ben Marshall accept the Small Business of the Year Award at Monday’s Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce dinner.

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Photo by Gwen Sour

From left, Eramet Marietta Inc. CEO Marc Mounier-Vehier and David Miller, safety manager, accept the Large Business of the Year Award Monday at the 111th Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce dinner.

Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce celebrates 111th Annual Dinner

By Gwen Sour

Staff Reporter

The Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce gathered business leaders, nonprofit organizations and community members Monday evening for its 111th annual dinner, celebrating the region’s economic partnerships and honoring several individuals and organizations for their contributions.

The event featured networking opportunities for sponsors and local organizations, an address by keynote speaker Raymont Harris and recognition of award recipients representing agriculture, business, community service and local enterprise.

Kelsy Eaton, president and CEO of the chamber, said the evening serves as both a celebration and a chance to strengthen community connections.

During opening remarks, chamber board Chairwoman Jennifer Offenberger highlighted the organization’s work over the past year, noting the chamber hosted more than 100 networking and educational events in 2025 while continuing to expand partnerships and business advocacy efforts.

Offenberger also recognized local officials, partner organizations and volunteers who support chamber programs.

During the networking portion of the evening, organizations attending the event shared information about their work in the community.

“We work with local nonprofits, as well as doing scholarships to high school seniors and nontraditional students,” said Charlotte Sweet, an administrative assistant with the Marietta Community Foundation. “Our mission is to help people give back and to make those connections.”

Local technology solutions company iTech also participated in the networking portion. Jennifer Rowley , project service manager, and Ethan Williams, technology solutions specialist, said the business has maintained a longstanding partnership with the chamber.

“Being involved with the chamber helps you meet more people, build support and introduce yourself to more communities,” Williams said.

Workforce development organizations also highlighted their efforts to connect local students with careers. Representatives from Building Bridges to Careers said events like the chamber dinner help them create relationships with employers and organizations.

“We try to expose students to as many career options as possible so they know what’s available,” said Holly Hamrick, Makerspace assistant director. “Networking events like this help us make the connections that allow students to connect with local businesses.”

The keynote speaker, Harris, a former professional football player and motivational speaker, discussed leadership and personal development through a framework he calls “control the controllables.” Harris encouraged attendees to focus on mindset and performance habits such as belief, positivity, commitment, patience, consistency, adaptability, resilience and effort.

“Change your mind, and it will change your life,” he said.

The chamber recognized several award recipients for their impact in the community.

Marty Clark received the Washington County Council of Cooperatives Agriculture Award for his leadership and lifelong involvement in agriculture and farm education. Clark said the recognition reflected the support of the agricultural community.

“I’ve had a blessed life,” Clark said. “Life in agriculture teaches hard work, dedication and helping one another in the community.”

The Gabe Zide Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Joe Grimm, a longtime community volunteer recognized for decades of service to youth programs, civic organizations and local initiatives.

“I realized I needed my faith, I needed my work, I needed to serve my community, and all above I needed my family,” he said.

Jim Vuksic was named Business Leader of the Year for his role in developing businesses and economic opportunities in Washington County. During remarks following the announcement, Vuksic credited the people he works with.

“I just do what I think is right,” he said. “I surround myself with people smarter than I am and better than I am.”

The chamber also presented its Small Business of the Year award to WMOA Radio..

“It really does speak to a community,” said Shawn Jones, morning and mid-day show producer. “We get to know the stories of the people and businesses here, and it’s an honor to celebrate them.”

Program director Ben Marshall added that the station’s success reflects the dedication of its staff and its connection to the region.

“WMOA is an institution in Marietta,” Marshall said. “We’re locally owned, locally programmed and locally committed.”

The Large Business of the Year award was presented to Eramet Marietta Inc., represented by CEO Marc Mounier-Vehier, who said the company remains committed to its workforce and to maintaining industrial production in the region.

“We are making a product that is a core element for steel production in the United States,” Mounier-Behier said. “I’m very happy to receive this recognition.”

Chamber officials said the annual dinner serves as one of the organization’s largest gatherings of the year.