Ash, Tschida, Weber selected for top awards

In front of what city officials called one of the largest crowds to ever gather for Atmore’s annual chamber of commerce banquet, the coveted awards for 2016 Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award were handed out Thursday night.

“I think this is one of the largest crowds we’ve had,” Mayor Jim Staff said as the ceremony began. “It’s getting better every year.”

This year’s award winners included: Business of the Year – United Bank; Lifetime Achievement Award – Pepsi Cola of Atmore and South Alabama Vending’s Dale Ash; and, Citizen of the Year – Thomas Tschida, who moved to Atmore from Minnesota.

In a surprise turn of events, the chamber board also named a second Citizen of the Year, awarding Escambia County Middle and High School Choir Director Conrad Weber the title.

Weber said to be included in the evening was an honor.

“This is a complete surprise and I am very humbled,” he said.

For the complete story on Thursday’s banquet, pick up a copy of the Wed., Feb. 1, edition of The Atmore Advance.

See a gallery of pictures from the banquet below. Photos by Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance