Community Members Honored for Commitment to Better Roswell

Hundreds of local residents and members of the business community turned out Tuesday evening to toast those who've made great strides for Roswell over the past year.

Together, the (CVB) and the (RBA) - the new public-private partnership between the CVB and the city - hosted the annual community awards meeting at the on Holcomb Bridge Road.

The evening provided community members the opportunity to both have some fun and do a little networking. Kicking off the banquet dinner, the cast of the Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show reprised some favorites from the show, which just closed last weekend. The meeting also introduced Ken Davis to the community, as the incoming president of the CVB.

In addition to acknowledging the CVB Board of Directors and staff for tireless efforts to boost the local economy via tourism, CVB Executive Director Dotty Etris, outgoing CVB Board President Don Howard and RBA Executive Director Steve Stroud also thanked the for moving forward with economically beneficial ventures, such as the RBA. Since its inception January 1 of this year, the RBA has brought 93 new members into the "Find it All Roswell" fold and the organization is pushing 500 members total, a goal they hope to reach by the six month mark in June.

Among this year's award winners and honorees:

Award of Appreciation - Charlie Feehan and Shane's Rib Shack 

Tourism Partner Award - Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau President Janet Rodgers and Dennis Miller

The Recreation Area is the “First Nationally Designated Water Trail,” a system designed to increase access to water-based outdoor recreation, encourage community stewardship of local waterways and promote tourism that fuels local economies across America. Patty Wissinger, a representive of the Recreation Area, told meeting attendees that the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is the most visited recreation area in the country.

Rodgers has continued years of partnering with the Roswell CVB to begin promotion of all Alpharetta and Roswell have to offer jointly during the holidays through the Holidays Along the Divine 9 campaign and the Mayors’ Holiday Wrapup.

Miller, the city of Roswell's Building Operations manager, assists the Roswell CVB with repair and update work around the 1950s CVB facility, which opened its doors May 1, 1992.

President’s Award - Alex Paulson

Alex Paulson - principal of , an architecture and graphic design firm in Roswell - volunteered his services designing the oversized display banner, which allowed the CVB to position Roswell as a destination for film, video and musical entertainment projects.

Economic Development Award - Dave Schmit

In recognition of his efforts to support strong economic development in Roswell through his own projects, as well as heading the 2030 comprehensive plan, and serving on the newly activated Downtown Development Authority.

2012 History Maker of the Year - Fred Williams

Fred Williams has been active in the Roswell community for numerous years and has seen lots of growth. Having graduated from Auburn University in 1964, he moved to Georgia and began teaching at from 1967- 1981. Williams, who married his wife Carol in 1977 and had two daughters with her, coached football and the girls basketball. He joined the Roswell Rotary Club during 1984 and created the Rotary Interact Club at RHS. In 1988 Williams was appointed to the Roswell Recreation Commission and has served as Chairman for 18 years. He was elected as a citizen member of the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Recreation & Parks Association in 2005 and continues to sit on that Board. Due in part to his leadership, the Roswell Recreation & Parks Department was accredited by the National Recreation & Parks Department and awarded the Georgia Recreation & Parks Dept. Agency of the year 5 times; has grown from 254 acres to 914 acres; serves over 191,448 registered participants and has increased its operating budget from $2,251,315 to $12,121,245.