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Chamber names its man, woman of the year
One serves as a regional bank branch manager, and the other is an local insurance company manager. While their careers tend to pull them in different directions, the countless hours they invest outside of work brings them together to help make Mountain Home a better place to live.
On Saturday evening, representatives from the community applauded their efforts by selecting them as Mountain Home's Man and Woman of the Year.
Honored during the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce's Installation Banquet, Robby Robinson and Terri Exon-Huxhold joined the 40 other individuals that have earned the distinction since 1993.
In addition, the chamber presented its lifetime achievement award to Billy and Mary Kay Richey in recognition of their ongoing commitment to Mountain Home and Mountain Home Air Force Base.
Speaking to more than 200 people that attended this year's celebration, Mayor Tom Rist applauded the business owners that are part of the local chamber of commerce, calling them "vital members" of the Mountain Home community.
The mayor then highlighted the community's progress over the past 12 months as it continues to recover from turbulent economic challenges in recent years, compounded by the housing market crash in 2008.
"We've had a good year. Things are moving along," the mayor said.
In addition to the number of small businesses that opened their doors over the past 12 months, the city continues to receive inquiries from corporations and manufacturing firms looking to expand in communities like Mountain Home. In fact, two of those companies sent their representatives here to conduct site visits as part of this selection process.
"I feel confident that the growth and development of Mountain Home is on the rise," said Paula Riggs, the city's economic development director.
At the same time, Mountain Home remains a unique community due to the strong relationship it shares with Mountain Home Air Force Base, said Col. Byron Anderson, vice commander of the 366th Fighter Wing at the nearby base.
The colonel classified this rapport as "one of the best relationships between a base and a community" that he had ever seen. It's not an easy relationship to maintain since military members and their families are always moving to this community or moving on to new assignments, he added.
Following dinner, the evening's agenda changed direction to focus on recognizing the chamber's man and woman of the year. As in year's past, the names of each winner remained under wraps until the formal presentation.
Looking at the number of people that are part of the chamber, Robinson admits he was humbled to be recognized by this "elite group" of individuals. As members of the Mountain Home chamber, these business owners and civic leaders continue to do good things for this community.
Rich Sykes, who earned the man of the year title in 2013, credited Robinson's selflessness and duty to his workplace as well as his family, friends and community.
"(He) has improved the quality of life for those who are around him," Sykes said. "He truly believes it should be everyone's mission to give back to their community."
The chamber's man of the year "also believes there is no greater value to a community than (being) a volunteer, Sykes added.
"It's important to invest in the community where you live and to try to make it a better place for people to live," Robinson said. "I'm just doing my part."
Exon-Huxhold admits being caught off guard after she realized she was the one selected for the woman of the year title. Over the years, she's come to respect and admire those that earned the same honor, and to be included with these individuals is a humbling experience, she said.
"Winning this award makes you recognize that being part of a community and giving back is so important. It's huge," she said.
Reading the award citation, prior woman of the year recipient Vickie Bermensolo credited Exon-Huxhold's willingness to be the first to volunteer for various community project. In addition to organizing the chamber's annual golf tournament, she remains heavily involved in other major community events, including Air Force Appreciation Day, Fall Harvest and Crazee Daze.
"You can be sure that when she is in charge of the project, it will not only be successful, it is going to be a fun time," Bermensolo said.
A successful business woman, Exon-Huxhold is a "hard worker no matter what the job might be," she added.
"It's so much fun and makes you feel so good to give back to the community," said Exon-Huxhold, who was sworn in during this year's banquet to serve as the chamber's board vice president.
As the mayor and city fire chief Alan Bermensolo stepped forward to read the lifetime achievement award citation, Billy Richey admitted that he and his wife were caught completely off guard. With his desk located in the same office where all of the banquet preparations were taking place, the award became a closely guarded secret.
Richey was originally told the chamber was going to hold off on presenting a lifetime achievement award this year, "so I didn't think anything about it," he said.
Looking back, he said there are a number of people in the Mountain Home area that do what they can to improve the city as well as the Air Force base.
"We're honored to be recognized for doing our part," he said.
As the former director of staff at the base, Richey used his years of military experience as well as his connections with state legislators and senior Air Force officials to emphasize the base's importance as an international training base. He led efforts to expand the base's air training ranges across southern Idaho, making them the "cornerstone" for realistic air combat training.
While her husband continued to promote the base's importance to senior Air Force officials and state legislators, Mary Kay Richey remained heavily involved in military related events at the base and in town. In addition to working behind the scenes during every Air Force Appreciation Day celebration, she's continues to participate in the officers spouses' club at the base.
In September, the Richeys served as the grand marshals during last year's Air Force Appreciation Day parade. The distinction recognized the countless hours the couple has invested in support of these yearly celebrations.
Wrapping up the evening's festivities, Magistrate Judge George Hicks swore in the chamber's incoming board of directors. Tammy McCloud started her first year as the chamber president while Exon-Huxhold began her duties as vice president. In addition, the chamber recognized the leaders of its committees, which oversee travel and tourism, community events and more.
"I believe that as a community, we have to support one another," McCloud said in her first official role as chamber president. "It's about working together for a common goal. It's about making Mountain Home the best place to live, work and have a business... shining together as a community."
Recognizing all of the chamber members, military members, public officials, business owners and others in the community, McCloud that it's important for everyone to continue working together to make Mountain Home stronger.
"No one can do it alone," she said. "You are the support. We are the support."