BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WV News) — The Harrison County Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner Tuesday evening while celebrating its 102nd year serving the business community.
Adam Dyer, chairman of the Chamber’s board, hosted the event at the Bridgeport Conference Center.
“It is important to have this dinner because we have an opportunity to network and celebrate the business environment in Harrison County. Our businesses have had great success in spite of the pandemic, which makes this celebration event even more important,” he said.
Dyer recognized the Chamber’s Business of the Year and Person of the Year.
“They have worked tirelessly to make sure they serve their customers, their community and their employees,” he said.
WVU Medicine United Hospital Center was named the 2021 Business of the Year, and Stephanie Hayhurst-Hall garnered the 2021 Person of the Year honor for her work in the foster care system.
Dr. Mark Povroznik accepted the award on behalf of United Hospital Center, referencing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s been a time to really come together and unite our talents to ensure we are doing what we need to do for our community. It’s important for UHC to be a part of the Chamber because a quality health care system is important for business growth and actually can attract new businesses. We work together to serve our communities,” he said.
Hayhurst-Hall was unable to attend the dinner due to a family obligation.
Dr. Clay Marsh, appointed by Gov. Jim Justice to serve as the state’s COVID czar, gave the keynote speech. Marsh works for WVU Health Sciences.
Kathy Wagner, president of the Chamber, was on hand to take care of logistics and oversee the event. Wagner said she was excited to be able to hold the dinner this year, especially since last year’s was canceled due to COVID concerns.
“We were going to hold this dinner this past August, but we had a pretty big surge around then, so we postponed to December,” she said. “It is so exciting to be able to gather and get together, especially at this time of the year, and have our members here to celebrate the success of the business community.”
Wagner said she especially enjoyed celebrating Chamber members’ and the local business community’s growth over the past two years.
“We have a lot to celebrate in Harrison County and North Central West Virginia, even through a pandemic,” she said.
Chamber Board Vice Chair Michael Malfregeot lead dinner attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the invocation.
Kylea Radcliff recognized the graduates of the Leadership Harrison classes of 2020 and 2021.
County Commissioner Patsy Trecost said he was glad to attended the Chamber dinner, because “people are ready to be together and come together during the Christmas season.”
Trecost also said members of the Chamber feel like family, and they all work together to help each other be successful.
“We’re trying to make Harrison County and North Central West Virginia better for everybody. This is really an opportunity for the Chamber to reach out and be supportive of our business community,” he said.