By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
The Del Rio Chamber of Commerce handed out awards to local military members and business leaders at Thursday night’s annual gala held at the Del Rio Civic Center.
The seven business leaders receiving awards were:
Receiving the Young Professional’s award was the City of Del Rio’s Anita Pruneda Mariner.
The Outstanding Ambassador was the Bank and Trust’s Martha Briones.
The Business of the Year honors went to Gabriel and Gabby De La Paz’s DLP Services.
The Small Business of the Year award went to KVFE-FM Christian Radio Broadcasting. The station is guided and directed by Josh and Bethany Guevara.
The Dream Big award went to Border Federal Credit Union’s CEO Maria Martinez.
The President’s Award went to Amistad Bank’s President and CEO Tony Hernandez.
The We Are One award, highlighting the individual who’s done the most to bring Del Rio and Laughlin Air Force Base’s communities closer together, was Silver Eagle Beverages’ Carlos Ayala.
However, the big surprise of the night a new, first-ever award was announced! Blanca Larson, long-time Chamber Executive Director received the newly created, Spirit of Del Rio award, the only award that ended with a standing ovation.
Meanwhile, the Laughlin Annual Award winners were:
Airman of the Year was the Wing Staff Agencies’ Senior Amn. Joshua Horton.
The NCO of the Year was Tech Sgt Abel Pelayo Ruelas.
The Senior NCO of the Year was Master Sgt. Craig Boyd from the 47th Operations Group.
The Company Grade Officer of the Year honors went to Capt. Jeromy Baird from 47th Mission Support Group.
The Field Grade Officer of the Year award went to Maj. Michael Vastola in the 47th OG.
The Non-Supervisory Cat I Civilian of the Year award went to Deanna McCracken from 47th MSG.
The Non-Supervisory Cat II Civilian of the Year award was won by Megan Sutton from 47th OG.
The Non-Supervisory Cat III Civilian of the Year honors went to the 47th Medical Group’s Casey Molleson.
Supervisory Cat I Civilian of the Year award went to Ramon Garcia from the 47th Maintenance Directorate.
The Supervisory Cat II Civilian of the Year award was won by MSG’s Johannes Thiel.
The Supervisory Cat III Civilian of the Year was won by 47th OG’s Brandon Ludemann.
The First Sergeant of the Year honors went to 47th MDG’s Master Sgt Chelsea Moschell.
The Honor Guard Member of the Year was the 47th OG’s Airman 1st Class Erik Palaca.
Volunteer of the Year went to Senior Airman Corrin Woods.
The Team of the Year was the 47th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Engineering Flight.
Entertainment was provided by local comedy star Jose Sarduy who has had some of the top Dry Bar Comedy specials during the last two years.
However, the big hit of the night was announcement from Khoury Auto Group’s Marketing Director Olga Owens, who said Nick Khoury, CEO and owner, had directed them to donate a Mitsubishi Eclipse to be raffled off in support of Del Rio’s efforts for the April 8, 2024 eclipse.
More information can be found here.
The writer can be reached at joelalangton@gmail.com .
