Groves Chamber recognizes those who made impact
Published 3:10 pm Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Leroy Falcon, left, was presented with the Olivia Wellings Citizen of the Year award by Letha Knaus as Bert Lamson congratulates Falcon. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Executive director of the Groves Chamber of Commerce & Tourist Center Letha Knaus, left, and Chamber President Bert Lamson, right, stand with Ambassador of the Year Rae Shauna Gay. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Maria Dumesnil, owner of Maria’s Dine, left, was awarded Small Business of the Year by Letha Kaus and Bert Lamson. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Letha Knaus, left, newly awarded Chamber Champion Adrian Todd, and Bert Lamson. (Mary Meaux/The News)
George M. Hardin Jr., center, was presented with the Service Organization of the Year for Groves Knights of Columbus. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Daniel Cruz with Cruz Events, center was awarded the Local Business Champions award. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Bert Lamson, left and Letha Knaus present Jon Hampton with the William Beaumont Service Award. (Mary Meaux/The News)
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GROVES — Standing at the podium looking out at a room full of people, Letha Knaus noted the accomplishments of individuals, organizations and businesses that made an impact on the community Tuesday morning.
Knaus, executive director of the Groves Chamber of Commerce & Tourist Center, recognized individuals who donated their time and more to make for a better chamber.
The winners included:
- Ambassador of the Year Rae Shauna Gay
- Chamber Champion Adrian Todd
- Local Business Champions Cruz Events
- William Beaumont Service Award Jon Hampton
- The Olivia Wellings Citizen of the Year Award Leroy Falcon
- Service Organization of the Year Groves Knights of Columbus
- Small Business of the Year Award Maria’s Diner
The Chamber has long welcomed new and current businesses to come and grow with Groves; the results were evident as leaders took a look at accomplishments made.
Chamber President Bert Lamson recapped 2024 telling the attendees at the Chamber’s Annual Breakfast there are 74 new or rejoining members, which is one more than the previous year.
The late Olivia Wellings was remembered several times during the ceremony. Wellings led the city’s Beautification Committee and was involved in numerous Chamber and city events. The Chamber created a Citizen of the Year Award last year and Wellings was the first recipient. The award is now named in her honor.
Groves City Manager Kevin Carruth, who marked his first full year with the city of Groves, said 2024 was a a good year for the city.
A number of businesses opened or are to open in Groves including Beauty Salon Paris, Burrito Bar, Goodwill, Milagros Tex-Mex Restaurant, Pops Boil ‘N Geaux, Wildflowers, and more.
“Those are all going to add to the health of our business community,” Carruth said.
Also in 2024, the city’s sales tax increased 5.2%, he said.
The list goes on.
The city of Groves will be hosting workshops, one of which is a committee assignment process thus explaining the procedure.
Carruth said the city needs fresh input from the community.
Dates and times of the meetings will be released soon.
