The Webb City Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards ceremony Thursday, Oct. 13, at Adaline Acres, an event center on Locust Road.

Courtney Smith, the owner of Webb City Florist since April 2021, received the Business Leader Award. She is a business administration graduate of Pittsburg State University and lives in Carl Junction.

The Entrepreneur of the Year is Jason Keller, who established Clear Choice Water earlier this year. He was previously the general manager for Culligan Water and has received numerous corporate awards. He and his wife, Gwen, also have renovated 25 homes with their other business, JG Rentals. They live in Webb City with their three children, Gabi, Carlee and Jax.

Gwen Allen, who stepped down this year as the chamber’s executive director, received the Robert J. Baker Champion Booster Award. She decided to leave the chamber, after 20 years, in order to work with her husband in their new business, Chear Choice Water.

Atwoods Ranch & Home received the Customer Service Award.

Tommy J. Williams accepted the City of Webb City Employee of the Year Award. He has been with the city for 17 years and is currently an equipment operator.

Cardinal Teachers for 2022 are:

• Katherine Mitchell, Heritage Preschool
• Smanatha Bird, Mark Twain Elementary
• Lori Smith, Middle School
• Paige Bordewick, Junior High
• Kayla Howard, High School

They will be honored again in the spring during the Webb City R-7 Schools Foundation Banquet. 

At the same time, actor James Jordan, class of 1997, will be inducted into the Webb City R-7 Hall of Fame.