Strongwell Corp. owner and longtime Bristol businessman John Tickle received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bristol Chamber of Commerce during its 2011-12 awards luncheon Friday at the Centre.
Tickle, founder of Strongwell, a Bristol, Va.-based company that ranks among the nation's largest polymer-oriented firms, was among several local residents honored during the chamber's annual event, which drew some 350 people.
A Bristol, Tenn., native, Tickle was cited by the chamber for his status as one “of the most well-known business leaders” in the Bristol region, and for his role in building Strongwell, a family-owned company and one of the community’s largest employers.
Tickle has also been actively involved with scores of local charities and organizations, including the United Way of Bristol, Sequoyah Council Boy Scouts of America and the American Red Cross.
Tickle did not attend Friday’s luncheon and his award was accepted by David Oakley, Strongwell’s president.
Others receiving honors were:
w Ambassador of the Year: Joy Behymer, owner of Massage Essentials
w Convention and Visitors Bureau Service Award: Lori Cogan, senior vice president at The Tombras Group
w Keep Bristol Beautiful Service Award: Sarah Gillespie, environmental programs director at Reclaimed Resources
w Leadership Service Award: Marjorie Tester, First Tennessee Bank official and president of Bristol's Recovery Road for Women
Outgoing chamber board Chairman Scott Emerine hailed the organization's work in 2011, during which both Bristol communities faced increased economic challenges due to plant closings and layoffs.
"The Bristol Chamber of Commerce is among the best in the nation," Emerine said. "Despite economic conditions, businesses are thriving in Bristol. [And] relationships between Bristol, Tenn., and Bristol, Va., have been strengthened on both sides of the Twin City and both have benefited."
Chamber President and CEO Lisa Meadows echoed Emerine’s upbeat view of the community’s business presence, while adding that the organization will intensify efforts to bring in and keep more industry to the Twin City during 2012.
“The investment we’ve seen in downtown Bristol and along Exit 7 are really positive developments,” Meadows said in an interview Friday. “We’re committed to doing what we can to help both [Bristol] communities retain and grow their existing businesses and attract new ones, as well,” Meadows said. “We still have lots of challenges ahead.”
Recently elected Virginia 5th District Delegate Israel O'Quinn, R-Bristol, will serve as the chamber's board chairman for 2012. O'Quinn is an executive for K-VA-T Food Stores, the parent company of the Food City grocery chain.
rbrown@bristolnews.com
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