Flaco Guapo Media
Story, photos by permission from Conexión San Ángelo
Ashlea Downing Chamber of Commerce, Communications Director, contributor
SAN ANGELO – When last year’s Citizen of the Year 2017, recipient, Rick Mantooth, was introducing the 2018 Citizen of the Year, he mentioned in his lengthy remarks that the person almost seemed liked a superhero. Along the way, Mantooth kept the packed house of McNease Convention attendees guessing as to who the person might be by mentioning hints such as “ . . . the product of a military family. . .” a great threat on the football field. . .” and “loved to dress up in beautiful dresses, earring and necklaces.”
Once Rick got to that second section on dresses, it became obvious that it was going to be a couple, but exactly who?
It became clear once one of the individuals was identified as director of coalition forces for Multi-National Forces.” With the lights dimmed low, it was difficult to see out in the audience who it might be, but this reporter guessed correctly that it was (RET.) former General, Ronnie Hawkins and his wife, Maria.
At Thursday’s January 24th, 103rd annual San Angelo Chamber of Commerce Banquet, Outgoing 2018 Chairman CJ Muniz, along with Chamber CEO, Bruce Partain, presented the awards to the following individuals.
Here is the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce' 2018 recipients who were handed out 13 awards, among them the Citizen(s) of the Year which went to (RET.) Lt. General, Ronnie Hawkins and his wife, Mrs. Maria Hawkins.
Special Recognition Award: Mike Boyd
Left-to-right: Diane Bayes, Amy Roberts, Linda Burrell and Suzanna Aguirre. Bayes is VP of Visitors Center, Roberts and Aguirre are Sales Managers, while Burrell is the Visitor Center's coordinator.
Special Recognition Award: Convention and Visitors Bureau
Special Recognition Award: Tim Hall – Visitors Center Volunteer
Phil Neighbors Spirit of San Angelo Award: Roger Allen, accepted by his wife: Pam Bladine
Special Merit Award: San Angelo Diabetes Coalition
Educator of the Year Award: Jordan Burrell
Student of the Year Award: De’Ja Gomez
Students of the Year Award: De’Ja Gomez & Mary Grace Pidgeon.
Student of the Year Award: Mary Grace Pidgeon
Innovation Award: Hamptons Barbeque
Special Recognition Award: Lake View Mariachi Band, accepted by Mr. Rosendo Ramos, Band Director
Chairman’s Award: Dr. Carol Ann Bonds
Retiring Directors – Service Awards (for 3-years’ service 2015-2018)
• Mark Clark – Wells Fargo
• Tod Herring – JcPenny
• Stephen McLaughlin – McLaughlin Advertising
• Gayla Thornton – Armstrong Backus
• Scott Turner – Time Clock Plus
• Tony Villarreal – State Farm
The Citizen of the Year was presented by 2017 Citizen of the Year recipient, Rick Mantooth.
Citizen of the Year 2018
Lt. General (RET.) Ronnie Hawkins and Mrs. Maria Hawkins