The DeKalb County Chamber  of commerce announced the winners of the annual Leadership DeKalb Alumni awards Tuesday night at the Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet at the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church annex.
Casey Midgett was presented the Community Leader of the Year Award for 2010. The award is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant and positive impact on the county, and in a capacity beyond commitment to his or her profession.
Midgett  was  Chairman of Relay for Life in DeKalb County in 2010, volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, will be coaching T-ball this summer, and is very active in his church.
John and Kay Quintero received the Legacy Award for 2010. The Legacy Award is presented to a person or persons who have made a positive impact on DeKalb County over a significant period of time.
Both Kay and John Quintero have been Mission Service Corp volunteers. John currently works as volunteer Executive Director of Haven of Hope ministry. John is also a member of the local Drug Court program. Kay is a licensed professional counselor, also works with Haven of Hope,  and serves on the Board of Directors of the Smithville Housing Authority and Lighthouse Christian Camp. She is also part of the DeKalb Prevention Coalition and the DeKalb County Community Advisory Board.
Kay is the pianist at her church and teaches Mission Friends for pre-schoolers. John is Sunday School Assistant and sings in the choir.
In an attempt to correct the lack of local services for those dealing with addictions, the Quinteros joined the leadership of the First Baptist Church to found Haven of Hope.
Haven of Hope is a Christian centered source of encouragement for hurting people.
It offers individual and group counseling, support groups, and a safe place where people can seek solace from the constant pressures of life.
Retiring board members Judy Sandlin and Robin Driver were also recognized for their service.
Dr. Steve Morse, an economist and director of the Tourism institute at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville was the guest speaker. Morse spoke about the  impact tourism has on the DeKalb County economy.
According to Morse, more than $34 million was generated in direct tourist spending in DeKalb County in 2009. He said that tourism generated $4.65 million in local  tax revenues, $1.97 million in state tax revenues, more than $7.22 million in worker income, and 279 jobs.
Morse said that every household in DeKalb County paid $746 less in local and state taxes as a result of revenue generated by the tourist trade last year. He added that each household paid $524 less in local county taxes and $222 less in state taxes.
Morse said that tourist spending created $12,751 in tax revenues daily in DeKalb County, $5,404 daily in state tax revenues, and generated $19,784 in worker paychecks every day in 2009. He also said that while the 2009 recession had a negative effect on the Tennessee economy as a whole, DeKalb County has weathered the storm better than many other counties. He said that according to statistics, when tourist spending is compared to all other consumer retail spending from 2008 to 2009, retail spending decreased by 8 percent in Tennessee while tourist spending decreased by only 4.1 percent during the same time frame in DeKalb County.
Chamber officers for 2011 were announced, including Vice President Janna Gillard, Secretary Valerie House, Treasurer Jason Ray, and Past President Tim Hintz. Due to a change of employment, former CEO of DTC communications Les Greer is no longer president of the chamber. A new President is expected to be named soon.
New chamber members for 2011 are Bill Little of Cannon County Hospital, Janna Gillard, of the DeKalb County Guide, Tony Luna of the Real Estate Team and Sligo Marina, Lori Manns of Manns Master Mechanics, Valerie House, an active community supporter who is involved with the Cookeville Rescue Mission, the Genesis House, and the Leadership DeKalb Alumni Association, and Rhonda Caplinger of Liberty State Bank.
Other members of the Chamber board are Tom Miller of Liberty State Bank, Angie Meadows of the Smithville Review, George Oliver of the Smithville Rotary Club, Keith Blair, Attorney-at-Law, Rob Willingham of Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, Kathie McGlamery of the Appalachian Center for Crafts, Jason Ray, Leadership Alumni Class of 2009, Mike Williams of the DeKalb County Fair Board,  Michelle Burklow of the DeKalb County Board of Education.