The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Meeting and Gala, themed the “Alchemy Affair,” on Jan. 24 at the Batesville Community Center.
More than 500 guests attended the event, which highlighted community transformation through creativity, collaboration, and innovation, the chamber said in a release.
Entertainment included comedic hypnotist Randy Andrews and Steven Lemp, a scientist from the Museum of Discovery.
“Our presenting sponsor, First Community Bank, and event partners—Bad Boy Mowers, FARCO Construction, Hampton Inn, Peco Foods, the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, and White River Health—helped us host our most vibrant annual meeting to date,” BACC COO Jamie Rayford said. “Their unwavering support underscores the importance of building momentum through events like this, which celebrate the power of collective progress.”
The chamber recognized businesses and individuals for their contributions to economic growth, corporate stewardship, philanthropy, and civic engagement. Honorees included:
- Rich Realty (Excellence in Business — pictured above)
- AmigoFest (Community Collaboration)
- Whippoorwill Charm (Excellence in Customer Focus)
- Dr. JD Allen (Leader in Health Care)
- Lyon College’s Backyard Access Plan (Leader in Education)
- Polk & Paddle (New Member of the Year — picture below)
- Andrea Bruner, Network of Community Options (Chamber Ambassador of the Year)
The evening also marked the graduation of the 2024 Leadership Batesville class (pictured below), a nine-month program fostering community leadership. Graduates included Amanda Bledsoe (Network of Community Options), Darius Davis (Bad Boy, Inc.), Jace Dunegan (Batesville School District), Crystal Kimmer (White River Health Behavioral Health), Shawns Love (Citizens Bank), Melissa Mergy (Batesville School District), Cassidy Mitchell (Lyon College), Clayon O’Neal (Precise), Sherlyn Orantes (FNBC Bank), Brandon Patterson (The Toro Company—Intimidator Group Division), Natalie Patterson (Bad Boy, Inc.), Amy Pinkston (Child Care Aware of North Central Arkansas), Amy Plaster (University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville), Lauren Stott (First Community Bank), Megan Strother (George’s, Inc.), Kyle Temple (LaCroix Precision Optics), Julie Warden (Citizens Bank), and Ethan Wilson (White River Health).
Applications for the 2025 Leadership Batesville program are now open. The chamber said the program is designed for highly motivated individuals looking to expand their leadership skills and deepen their involvement with businesses, organizations, and community initiatives.
For more information or to apply, click here.
Images provided by the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce.
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