Published: October 29, 2009 03:48 pm      

And the award goes to...

Since 1946, the Business and Professional Women’s Club has made it its mission to promote the leaders of the community and acknowledge their accomplishments.

“We have a rich history deep in service to the community,” said Teva Rainey, president.

Each year, the club recognizes four individuals in Cumberland County for their outstanding service to others. The awards include Employer of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, Young Humanitarian of the Year and Woman of the Year.

On Oct. 22, the women held their annual honors award dinner at Mitch’s Restaurant and Lounge in Lake Tansi to show how proud they are of those nominated for this year.

“This award does not come to you because of who you are, but because of what you have accomplished through your leadership in this community as a business person, dedication and generality of resourcefulness as an employee or by personal humane acts giving back to individuals or to the community itself,” said Rainey.



Employer of the Year

The first award of the evening went to Janice Hamby, who was named the Employer of the Year by the BPW Club.

Hamby is owner and broker of Third Tennessee Realty and Associates on North Main St. She was nominated for the award by employee Pam Hofmann and others, including longtime friend Jane Powers.

“I think it is very appropriate that we are honoring Janice tonight for her work as an employer because she has worked to not only improve her business and her employees’ business, but I think all of our businesses as well,” Powers said. “I’m just very proud of her.”

Powers described Hamby as an “excellent business woman” who has successfully come up through the ranks in the real estate industry.

A native of Cumberland County, Hamby has been an active real estate broker since 1977. She was the owner and principal broker of Raintree Properties in Tennessee from 1989 until November 2004, when she sold the business and became managing broker and a principal in Third Tennessee Realty and Associates, LLC.

Powers believes Hamby has been so successful through the years because she has a lot of compassion for her employees and puts them first.

“Through this approach, she has been able to continue to be successful during probably one of the largest real estate downturns of all time,” said Powers, who added at the end of her speech that Hamby was completely surprised to be receiving the award.

“To say I’m surprised is an understatement,” Hamby said. “I’m completely shocked.”

She added, “I do have a great crew and I’m grateful to all of them for what you do. Thank you.”

“We are so thrilled to work for you,” replied Hofmann.

In her letter of nomination, Hofmann also pointed out that Hamby “has always been a strong advocate for community growth and community service and is involved in various community organizations.”

She was an instructor at Tennessee Technology Center for 10 years, teaching real estate principles and various continued education courses both in Cumberland and Fentress counties, she noted. Presently, she is a director for the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce, serves on the allocation committee for the United Fund of Cumberland County and is a team captain for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

“Her example of community service and her continual efforts to ‘give back’ to this community is an inspiration to all who know and admire this woman,” concluded affiliate broker Benny Hill in a letter to the BPW Club.



Humanitarian of the Year

Gary Rabuck was given the title of Humanitarian of the Year. The club received several letters from individuals paying tribute to his work, including Jerry and Sheila Davenport, Joyce Ferry and Tom and Diane Beamish.

“He is such a wonderful person,” Mrs. Beamish stated. “He’s the type of person you don’t have to ask to do anything, he’ll just do it.”

Rainey and Betty Witt, co-chair of the awards committee, were both proud to present the award to Rabuck, who has been active in various community projects and organizations since moving to Lake Tansi in 2005. He is most recognized for his work with the Lake Tansi Exchange Club, which he joined in December 2005.

“As a member of this organization, he’s been able to assist in several fundraisers and golf tournaments, with proceeds going to the prevention of child abuse,” said Witt.

Since 2006, he has volunteered to work on the club’s annual Blue Ribbon project held in April to bring awareness to the number of reported child abuse cases in Cumberland County. In addition, he has served as president of the Lake Tansi Community Association and volunteered his time on projects for the House of Hope and Kids on the Rise.

“Because he enjoys beauty and cleanliness at home and in the community, he has spent several hours removing litter from along the roads,” Witt added.

According to Ferry, president of the Exchange Club, Rabuck not only volunteers for the Road Gang Clean Up (an event held once a month), but also personally collects litter on highways and streets in his free time. To date, he has collected over 500 bags of litter, she noted.

Residents in Lake Tansi appreciate this as well as other kind acts by Rabuck.

“Gary looks after numerous residents at Lake Tansi when they are sick or in need of help,” stated the Beamishes in their nomination letter. “One person in particular had a knee operation and off to the rescue Gary went with transportation to the doctor’s office and physical therapy, lawn mowing, bush trimming, house repair, etc…”

“Gary is a true ambassador of good will for our community and Cumberland County,” wrote the Davenports. “Gary is a unique person with a truly good heart and has sincere concern for the residents of our community.”

Because of a family emergency, Rabuck was not present for the awards dinner. Mrs. Davenport accepted the award on his behalf.

“He wanted me to tell everyone that he was totally surprised and deeply humbled about winning this award,” she said. “He wanted me to thank all of you for making it possible.”



Young Humanitarian of the Year

Brittni McClellan, a senior at Cumberland County High School, was chosen as this year’s Young Humanitarian.

“We have heard some good things about this young lady,” Witt said.

She was nominated for the award by teachers Tony Brock and Diane Atkins and school counselor Leslie McCoy.

In his nomination letter, Brock explained that McClellan deserves the award because of how “she has established herself as one of the most academically gifted students we have at CCHS.”

“However, she becomes even more outstanding when one is made aware of the many hours and days she has volunteered to help make the lives of others better,” he added. “She perfectly illustrates what is good and right about the young people in our community.”

According to McCoy, McClellan has excelled in the advanced curriculum of the school’s honors program, for which she has received multiple student awards for academic excellence and National Honor Society participation. She has also been recognized for her involvement with the Cumberland County Humane Society, Art Circle Public Library and hospice.

Other community services include serving as a CCHS Girls State delegate and becoming hospice certified.

“Brittni is an honest, friendly, caring person who is excited about learning for the sake of the experience… I know she continues to look for the path in life that will allow her to continue to contribute value to society as an adult just as she has done as a young lady,” Atkins wrote. “Brittni is a well rounded individual participating in many school and community activites and I am proud to recommend her."

Ben McClellan accepted the award for his daughter, who was away on a trip. He expressed his thanks to the club.



Woman of the Year

Jane Powers was named the 2009 Woman of the Year by the BPW Club.

“When I think of the Woman of the Year Award, I think our recipient this year is the epitome of what it’s all about,” said Terri Curran, former president of BPW. “This is a person who not only contributes in her professional life (but also) in the community.”

Powers, attorney and owner of Powers Law Firm, was nominated by Beth Alexander, executive director of the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce; Randel E. Graham, president and CEO of First National Bank; and Hamby for the time she has spent promoting women’s rights.

Powers earned her law license and established a private practice in Cumberland County in 1980, a time when female attorneys were few, noted Hamby. Since then, she has continued to blaze a trail of accomplishments in the legal and political arenas.

Curran read a letter from the Tennessee Economic Council on Women explaining Powers' contributions to the women of Tennessee.

In 1997, she and a handful or other women who understood the importance women play in moving Tennessee forward reviewed research showing that the state ranked 46th in the nation on women’s economic issues. Together, they wrote a bill creating the council, and from 2004 to 2006, Powers served as its chair.

“Jane’s service to the council went far beyond mere interest,” said director Jennifer Rawls. “She was engaged, speaking to extend the outreach and the programs helping women get appointed to state boards and commissions and overseeing groundbreaking research on the economic impact of domestic violence and political participation… Jane’s forthrightness, creativity, vision and dedication are obvious in everything the council does.”

Hamby agreed that Powers deserved the award for being an advocate for women as well as for her work in the community. Powers has served as the Chamber’s board chair as well as vice chair on several committees. She currently serves as the Leadership Cumberland coordinator. In addition, she helps fundraisers for the United Fund, American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, the Avalon Center and other organizations.

“She is certainly someone that makes me want to be better because of her and she challenges each of us with what we’re doing, and I’m just so delighted to call her a friend,” Hamby said.

Powers explained to those present that she has enjoyed working in the community and helping women along the way.

“What makes this reward so important is that it comes from you. It’s from your work in your careers and your work with the BPW that allows me to do these things and do this work that I love so much,” she stated.