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Banquet recognizes community leaders
chamber main pic
Duane Sherrill photo An emotional tribute video concluded the evening at the annual chamber banquet last week, chronicling Chamber Director Suzanne Williams recovery after she suffered a severe throat injury in an accident. She was all smiles afterward as her daughter, Shan Burklow relieved her behind the mic so she could rest her voice.

In the midst of an already festive and exciting evening, Leadership DeKalb representatives Jen Sherwood and Beth and Darrell Gill, were given the opportunity to recognize well deserving leaders of the community with the annual Community Leader of 2017 and the Legacy Leader Awards.
The Community Leader of the Year is awarded to the individual who most emulates the definition of community trustee and servant-leader in his or her recent service to DeKalb County. Nominees are considered who have made a significant and positive impact on our county specifically in 2017 and in a capacity beyond their professional role.

The 2017 Community Leader of the Year is Blake Cantrell. Blake works in IT professionally, but while attending the DeKalb County Citizen Fire Academy in the fall of 2014, he saw the opportunity to give back. He became a volunteer fireman in 2015. His commitment didn’t stop there, however. Since January 2016, he has served as the DeKalb volunteer fire department communications officer.

Blake has been recognized for his many volunteer hours to the county fire department as the recipient of the 2017 “Git-R-Done” Award. He is the current President of DeKalb Emergency Services Association, president of 2017-18 Project Graduation Committee, and has served as vice president of the DCHS Quarterback Club for nine years.

Blake also gives freely his IT and technical services to many community groups throughout DeKalb County, such as Help, Haven of Hope, and Lighthouse Christian Camp, and various churches. Darrell and Beth Gill presented the award to Blake and thanked him for his leadership and service to DeKalb County.

The Legacy Leader Award is awarded to someone who most emulates the definition of community trustee and servant-leader in his or her continued service to DeKalb County.  The winner has made a significant and positive impact on our county over a considerable period of time and in multiple and lasting ways. 

This year’s award was presented to Jackie Smith.  Jen Sherwood awarded Jackie this year’s Legacy Leader Award, with the support and backing of so many in DeKalb County who have been influenced by her as a teacher, a friend and State Farm agent, and through the many community boards and organizations she has served. She is a native of DeKalb County. Her parents were Edward and Lena Neal.  She has been married to Wade Smith, Jr. for 50 years. They have two sons, Brandon and Chris, two grandchildren, Salena and Nate, and a wonderful daughter-in-law, Carlene.  Jackie is a member of the Northside Church of Christ here in Smithville.

 Jackie went to elementary school at the Smithville Colored School and two years of high school at Wilson County Training High School in Lebanon. The last two years of high school were completed at the new high school in Smithville when schools were integrated.  After graduating high school, Jackie attended Tennessee Tech University where she received her BS degree with a major in Secondary Education and a minor in English.  Later she received her Master’s Degree in Education Administration and Supervision with certification in grades K-12.  

Jackie taught seventh grade Language Arts (English) at the then new DeKalb Middle school from 1971 to 1985.  In 1985, she left teaching to open her own agency with State Farm Insurance, which she continues to operate today.

An original founder of DeKalb County Girls Softball League, she served on the Smithville Housing Authority, Habitat for Humanity, DeKalb County Industrial Development Board, St. Thomas DeKalb Patient Safety Board, & Lions Club. She is a member and soloist in the Community Chorus, a graduate of the Leadership DeKalb Class of 2010, and current member DeKalb County Election Commission.

In addition to the awards, Leadership DeKalb also announced that Darrell and Beth Gill will be taking over as directors of the Leadership DeKalb program.  The monthly leadership training series was previously under the direction of Jen Sherwood from 1997-2016.  Anyone who would like to learn more about the community, meet existing business and government leaders, and explore increased leadership opportunities are encouraged to consider participating in Leadership DeKalb.  For more information, call the chamber office at 615-597-4163.