Citizen of the Year Award
Beginning in 1974, the Rockford Chamber of Commerce has annually recognized as "Citizen of the Year" a person who has made significant community improvement, leadership, and service contributions to the Rockford area over a prolonged period. Purposes of this award are to honor deserving individuals, to encourage community service and volunteerism, and to generate positive publicity for the area. A committee consisting of the three former Citizens of the Year selects the candidates for this honor. The award is made as the highlight of the annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet, held the fourth Thursday of October.
Past Citizen of the Year Award Recipients: |
|
 Dr. Jerry Sell 2010 |
 Dennis Hecht 2009 |
 Sandy Schaffner 2008 |
 Robert Thompson 2007 |
 LuAnne Sigler 2005 |
 Martha Baltzell 2004 |
 Tom Williams 2003 |
 Susie Bollenbacher2002 |
 Homer Hall 2001 |
 Rob Belna 2000 |
 Jeff Long 1999 |
 Bob Beerbower 1998 |
 Mike Riley 1997 |
 Bill Now 1996 |
 Robert Ransbottom 1995 |
 Bob Garman 1994 |
 Barry Peel, Jr. 1993 |
 Deb Gibson 1992 |
 Woody Davis 1991 |
 Norm Van Tilburg 1990 |
 Susan Sherrick 1989 |
 Bob Schumm 1988 |
 Marion Caywood 1987 |
 Joan Hall 1986 |
 Vivian Clay 1985 |
 John Smith 1984 |
 Mary Lou Taylor 1983 |
 Dan Henkle 1982 |
 Larry Hopkins 1981 |
 Dorothy Burtch 1980 |
 Stanley Shellabarger 1979 |
 Robert Clay 1978 |
 Wesley Bigham 1977 |
 Ralph Rhoades 1976 |
 Vernon Winkler 1975 |
 Richard Sherrick 1974 |
2011 Award
Tom Rogers
Citizen of the Year
Born on May 18, 1946. His father and mother were Woodrow and Beatrice Rogers. He has a sister Nancy who is married to Ralph Ritz. As a boy he enjoyed hunting and trapping and played Little League baseball.
He attended Parkway High School where he was a member of the percussion section of the band and graduated in 1964. He then served in the National Guard for 1967-1971. On December 19, 1959 he married his wife Barb and they had two children, Melissa and Andy.
His grandchildren are Megan and Makenna Hostetler; Grace, Jacob, Zachary, and Addie Rogers.
His lifelong occupation has been farming, getting his beginning working alongside his father. He now works alongside his son Andy He is well known in the community for raising delicious sweet corn which he has for sale but he has often been known to give away large quantities of the sweet treat. In the recent past the local nursing home residents were the beneficiaries of his generosity. He is also known for raising quality beef cattle and many in the community have enjoyed being able to feed their families from meat raised on his farm.
He was a long-time member of the Grace United Methodist Church where as a younger man, he played on the men’s volleyball team who were the county champs in 1978. While at Grace, he taught Sunday School classes, was a youth leader for several years, and was an administrative board member and trustee. He was also a faithful supporter of the youth in their mission projects. He has also participated in the live nativity for the Christmas walk held here in the village each year. He now attends Praise Point United Brethren Church.
He is an active supporter of the summer athletic program in the community and has been a Little League baseball coach For many years he was a fixture in the variety show playing the part of the “jokester.” He is also one of the key individuals working with the booster club to grade and re-seed the Parkway football field. To this day our football teams still enjoy the benefits of that piece of hardwork.
For a number of years he also served on the Parkway school board and as a school board member had the privilege of presenting his own daughter, Melissa, with her high school diploma.
He remains an active member of the American Legion and through this organization continues to benefit the students from Parkway school with scholarships. On occasion he has been seen vacationing and relaxing at Mackinaw.
The list of community service goes on In 2008 he received the award for Mercer County in recognition of outstanding conservation efforts to protect and enhance Ohio’s soil and water resources. He is also an active member of RADC, Rockford Area Development Corporation, where he served as an active member of the committee responsible for the fundraising and completion of the splash pad in Shane’s Park which was enjoyed by many children from within and without our community this past summer and will continue to be an important addition to our Park for many years to come. He has also been instrumental in improving the appearance to the entrance to our village on the north of town making improvements that have greatly enhanced the first impression one gets when coming into the village. He is also the co-owner of the Rockford Belle which hosts Saturday night gospel concerts and is the venue for many other types of entertainment for the community He was also instrumental in planning the 2011 Labor Day Cruise-In and Sock Hop. He also organized the July 2011 Shane’s Park Bean Bake and Gospel Concert.
He also put forth nearly tiredness effort in helping organize the 911 tribute at Parkway HighSchool to raise funds for First Responders.
On behalf of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce and Rockford community it gives me great pleasure and it is my distinct honor to introduce the 2011 Rockford Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, Tom Rogers.
2010 Award
Dr. Jerry Sell
2010 Citizen of the Year
On October 28th at the annual Rockford Chamber of Commerce Banquet Dr. Jerry Sell was named the 2010 Citizen of the Year.
A video program about his life was narrated by 2009 Citizen of the Year, Dennis Hecht. Jerry's family including his wife Connie, daughter Jennifer and her husband Jeff Armstrong and their three children along with the Family Medicine Associates staff were present for the award. Dr. Sell's son Jonathan and his family were unable to attend the event.
Dennis Hecht presented Citizen of the Year Award to Dr. Jerry Sell.
State Representative Jim Zehringer presented a proclamation from State Senator Keith Faber.
Mercer County Commissions John Bruns and Bob Nuding congratulated Dr. Jerry Sell with a proclamation.
