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BY JOYCE LOBECK, SUN STAFF WRITER
It may not be the Oscars, but the suspense was great as those attending the annual Yuma County Chamber of Commerce awards banquet waited to see who would be the Member of the Year.

This year's honor went to Ed Whitehead and his business, Whitehead Tire Country.

The business was selected from the 12 winners of the chamber's monthly member of the month award over the last year.

"Whitehead is the poster business for shopping locally," said Ken Rosevear, chamber executive director.

That fits with the chamber's campaign to encourage people to shop locally and support Yuma's businesses, especially during this economically challenging time.

It also was the theme of the banquet: "Keeping it in the Community: Shop Locally."

Whitehead has been an exemplary example of a local business owner who not only has been successful but expanded and brought other families into the company, Rosevear said. "He's the epitome of a sound businessman."

The businessman also is a longtime chamber member, reflects many of the same principles as the chamber and is active in the community, said Donna White as she presented the award to Whitehead.

Whitehead's remarks were brief: He just urged everyone to buy and shop locally. "Turn those dollars back into the community."

Another coveted honor, the Athena Award, was presented to Janet Jones, who has worked tirelessly over the years to provide an orchestra program for Yuma-area young people. She was selected by previous winners of the award.

The Athena Award, sponsored by the National Bank of Arizona, is presented to someone who has attained and personifies the highest level of professional excellence. It honors valuable contributions being made by men and women in the business and professional community, and especially those who help women succeed.

Jones, a Yuma resident for more than three decades, has been a strong presence in the community's arts scene as a musician, teacher and director of the orchestral groups String Ambassadors, Junior String Ambassadors, Yuma Civic Orchestra and the Yuma Civic Light Orchestra.

In 2007, she was selected as the Tribute of the Muses winner for her contributions.

Dabbing at tears as she accepted the award, Jones said it's been a privilege to do what she loves and to help so many young people over the years.

Yuma Community Food Bank was recognized as the Small Business of the Year. The award, sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank, recognizes the men and women, who through their entrepreneurial spirit, play a vital role in building the community and its economy.

"The food bank provides a great service to the community," Rosevear said. "It's well run and one of the shining stars among the community's nonprofits."

In accepting the award, Ronna Sue Stubbs, food bank president and CEO, noted that the honor is a tribute to the many people who serve the organization from board members and staff to volunteers as well as the people who are served.

"Not only shop locally," she concluded. "Donate locally."

William Rice, a canine officer with the Yuma County Sheriff's Office, was presented the YCSO Law Enforcement Award.

"He is the kind of hero we need out there," said Sheriff Ralph Ogden in presenting the award.

In other business, the officers and board members for 2010 were installed.

Attorney John A. Weil took over the gavel as the new chairman of the board, succeeding Terry Frydenlund. Fred Earle is the chair-elect, Russell Baas the secretary and Patrick Walz the treasurer.

Newly elected board members include Tom Pancrazi, Joni Weerheim and Dan Fauth. They join incumbents Rob Ingold, Joanne Nasby, Donna White and Mark Mohamed.

The chamber has about 800 members.

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