Grimes Chamber and Economic Development presents 2016 ‘Of the Year’ awards

Grimes Chamber & Economic Development (GCED) honored a select few individuals and businesses at the Annual Dinner and Awards presentation on Thursday, Jan. 26 at Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center in Johnston.

Brent Smith was recognized as the 2016 Grimes Citizen of the Year. Smith is employed at Southern Carlson in Grimes’ Princeton Business Park, a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Grimes, and actively volunteers for a variety of activities and causes. Most notably, he has served as a long-time co-chair for the annual Grimes Governors Days Celebration Committee.

Lynnette Yossi was named the Grimes Educator of the Year. Yossi is a physical education teacher at South Prairie Elementary School in the Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District, a position which has allowed her to work with many students over the years. In addition to her teaching duties, Yossi assists with traffic control around the school complex, thereby safeguarding the students and helping for smoother transition times for parents. Yossi was nominated by the students and teachers of South Prairie Elementary School.

The title of Ambassador of the Year was awarded to Peggy Triggs, owner of Cabinets by Design. This award is bestowed to members of the Grimes Chamber & Economic Development Ambassadors. Triggs is the sixth recipient of the award, which is earned through extensive involvement in a variety of events conducted by the organization throughout the year.

Shade Tree Auto, owned by Clint Dudley, was awarded the coveted title of Grimes Business of the Year. Shade Tree Auto has earned a reputation for its positive corporate citizenship, not only in the community of Grimes, but across the greater Des Moines region. This designation follows a number of other substantial recognitions earned by the business during the past few years alone including: Blue Ribbon recipient of the 2015 & 2016 Dream Big Small Business Award by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics (2016), AAA Top Shop Award (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016), Celebrate Business & Economic Impact Awards Community Champion Award (2014).