Trey McCampbell given Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce’s top award

Dec. 06--CORPUS CHRISTI -- The most important things in life are people, said American Bank's Chief Administrative Officer Trey McCampbell.

McCampbell's commitment to community exemplifies the spirit of outstanding service, Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce officials said at a Thursday awards luncheon.

McCampbell, who also serves on the Del Mar College board of regents, was honored with the Henry Baldwin Award -- the chamber's highest honor.

Its namesake was the organization's first volunteer leader, for which Baldwin Boulevard is named.

"People have stood with me, side by side, over the years," McCampbell told about 300 chamber members and supporters at the A Year to Remember luncheon. "People you work with ... family and friends who stand next to you, win or lose. This award is not for me. It honors the people who surround me."

McCampbell was one of three individual award recipients and three business awards announced by Chamber Chairman Darrell Coleman, who is retiring as Caller-Times publisher this month. The luncheon highlighted the year's achievements, which included 44 new business ribbon cuttings.

First Community Bank received the Chairman's Award, which is given to the business that assists the chamber the most throughout the year.

The bank helped fund a Military Facilities Task Force, a windstorm advocacy that in April mustered a contingent to lobby for legislation in Austin and co-sponsored May's inaugural Lemonade Day, which engaged 1,100 youths in the entrepreneurial spirit.

"Service is the price you pay for the space you occupy," said Gary Malone, the bank's senior vice president, after accepting the award.

President's Award was given to Eloy Salazar, a board member who led the chamber's charge on the street repair fee and was credited as "The Godfather" of the June membership drive, which yielded 273 new members.

Salazar credited his mother and wife for his successes.

Other recipients:

Cassandra Strow -- Ambassador of the Year

H-E-B -- Big Business of the Year

FastSigns -- Small Business of the Year

"Hopefully nobody's trying to buy signs right now," said Bill Stockley, owner of FastSigns, who earned laughs after concluding: "I brought the whole team with me."

Chamber President Foster Edwards presented Coleman with a U.S. flag flown over the state capitol, provided by state Rep. Todd Hunter, and an honorary gavel scribed with Coleman's name for his three years of chamber service.

"It's a bittersweet duty," Edwards said, in farewell remarks. "We're going to miss you Darrell."

2013 Award Recipients

Individuals

Henry Baldwin Award -- Trey McCampbell

President's Award -- Eloy Salazar

Ambassador of the Year -- Cassandra Strow

Businesses

Chairman's Award -- 1st Community Bank

Big Business of he Year -- H-E-B

Small Business of the Year -- FastSigns

Source: Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce

2014 Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Sharon Kollaja, Sterling Personnel, Chairman

Joe Guzman, Robstown Area Development Commission, immediate past chair

Libby Averyt, Caller-Times

Deven Bhakta, ZLP Hospitality

Reagan Brown, Peterson Development

Ed Cantu, Farmer's Insurance

David Castillo, HEB

Kresten Cook, Corpus Christi Army Depot

Steve Ellis, EOG Resources

Mark Escamilla, Del Mar College

Wally Goodman, Borden Insurance

Gabe Guerra, Kleberg Bank

Alex Harris, Bay Area Title Co.

Jonny Hipp, Nueces County Hospital District

Wes Hoskins, 1st Community Bank

Javier Huerta, CLK Architects & Associates, Inc.

Flavius Killebrew, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

John LaRue, Port of Corpus Christi Authority

John Michael, Naismith Engineering

Lillian Riojas, Valero Refinery

Dan Robbins, KIII-TV3

Eloy Salazar, Salazar Investments

Amanda Sanchez, La Palmera Mall

Tom Schmid, Texas State Aquarium

Ken Schrom, Corpus Christi Hooks

Mary Sullivan, Susser Holdings/Stripes

Ken Trevino, Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend

Chip Urban, Urban Engineering

Alan Wilson, Frost Bank

Van Huseman, Legal Counsel

Source: Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce

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