Business of the Year

Banquet Memories

The George Clasen Memorial Service Award is presented to an individual or couple from the area who has/have shown exemplary service to the community through the Chamber or other local organizations

Members of the "Love What's Local" Committee will give a short presentation on their campaign, a collaboration of GACC, ACDA, Garnett Community Development, and Morning Mingle, to educate and encourage local residents to purchase local goods and use local services. Loving What's Local helps create and maintain local jobs, support locally owned businesses and community non-profits, encourages unique businesses that add community character, reduce environmental impact of out-shopping, and provides sales tax dollars to be spent locally.

#lovewhatslocalgarnett

this year's winners

ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR

Keynote SPeaker

Jay Selanders

The Business of the Year Award is presented to a Chamber Member who has demonstrated outstanding business ethics, community support, leadership, friendly service and has been an overall benefit to the community.

(must be in good standing, membership current)

Jay serves as Chair of Kutak Rock, a national law firm with 18 offices across the country. As Chair, Jay leads Kutak Rock’s nearly 550 attorneys and oversees the firm’s overall management, governance and representation. He guides and implements the firm’s strategic plan with a continued focus on growth and opportunities to serve clients’ needs. Jay’s mission for Kutak Rock is to “partner with our clients and identify and deliver the legal service they require, while also advancing our business processes and service offerings to keep pace in an ever-evolving industry.” Jay has more than 30 years of legal experience and has served as national counsel to several auto finance companies,handling loan documentation, workouts, bankruptcy and other litigation, as well as nationwide litigation management. Throughout his career, Jay has represented corporations, financial institutions and manufacturers in a wide range of matters pertaining to commercial credit and lending, real estate loans and transactions and the representation of creditors in bankruptcy. He has particular expertise in dealing with
automotive finance and franchise issues, and regularly represented lenders and
franchisers in commercial transactions and bankruptcy matters across the country.
In 2018, after more than 30 years of military service, Jay retired from the Kansas Air National Guard as a Brigadier General. He was the assistant Adjutant General-Air, and Commander, Kansas Air National Guard. Jay is a veteran KC-135 pilot. He flew in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, where he received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions in recovering a badly damaged aircraft. He has flown in support of numerous other operations, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

VOLUNTEERs OF THE YEAR

The Organization of the Year award is presented to a non-profit organization who is active and beneficial to the Garnett community

Annual Banquet highlights

January 30, 2020