THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER S “Annual Community Awards Luncheon” Will Be Held On September 20, 2024, At Bally’s-EVANSVILLE” Evansville in the Walnut Room. Doors Open At 11:30 a.m. Lunch starts at 12:00 p m
The Keynote Speaker is United States Senator Mike Braun
Master Of Ceremonies is State Representative Ryan Hatfield
PERSONS OF THE YEAR
STATE SENATOR VANETA BECKER SELECTED CCO “ANNUAL WOMEN-OF-YEAR AWARD WINNER”]
Outside of the Statehouse, Becker is involved in the Indiana Commission for Women and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Office of Women’s Health through the Indiana Department of Health, as well as the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Task Force through the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. She is a former member of the ARK Crisis Prevention Nursery Board of Directors, as well as a former member of both the Commission on Excellence in Health Care and the Arc of Evansville Board of Directors. She is also a member of the United Methodist Church.
SCOTT MASSEY SELECTED CCO “ANNUAL MAN-OF-YEAR AWARD WINNER”
Scott’s company has secured over a dozen patents in 30+ countries, received more than $2 million in federal research funding to enhance artificial intelligence control algorithms, and raised several million dollars in investment capital. Scott has also completed four tours in Africa, advising the Department of State’s Mandela Washington Fellowship on hydroponic skills training, created ten high-paying jobs in Evansville, licensed proprietary designs to commercial manufacturers in the market, was named to Indiana’s Rising 30, and Forbes 30 under 30 in 2024.
JEFF LYONS SELECTED CCO “ANNUAL COMMUNITY SERVICE” AWARD WINNER
In his 35+ years with WFIE, Jeff has visited every county in the Tri-State and routinely speaks 40-50 times each year at schools, community groups, and church organizations. He has been an active board member at The Arc of Evansville since 2000, and co-wrote, produced, and hosted The Really Big Show for 21 years. The show was a major fundraiser for ARC and raised over 1.5 million dollars for the organization. Jeff served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Southern Indiana for 17 years and taught broadcast performance in the school’s communications department.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE DAVID KIELY SELECTED CCO “ANNUAL COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNER
Created the first Veterans Treatment Court in the State of Indiana. Acquired two magistrate positions from the state legislature for Vanderburgh County. He spearheaded and created an electronic search warrant in Vanderburgh County. Created the Vanderburgh County Therapeutic Work Release Program. It brought $5.5 million of court space renovations to Vanderburgh County. He was awarded the James Bethel Gresham Freedom Award from the Evansville Bar. Association.
STATE SENATOR JIM TOMES SELECTED CCO “ANNUAL COMMUNITY SERVICE” AWARD WINNER
Jim Tomes has been the Indiana State senator for District 49, covering Posey and part of Vanderburgh Counties, since 2010. He currently serves as the Chair of the Veterans Affairs and Military Committee, is Ranking Member of Homeland Security.
