2009 Directors Award

For many years this local business person has been heavily involved with the Chamber of Commerce and is an active South Padre Island business owner. When the awards committee met to discuss the Director's Award - this individual's name rose to the top and the committee's consensus was "public recognition for this individual was long overdue".

Since 2000 our recipients have included: Tom O'Connell, Sharon Taylor, Rick Legere, Cynthia Sellers, Louie's Backyard, Loraine Johnston, Darrell Mangham, Ginny Ossanna and David Clarke.

This year's recipient is a strong advocate for individual rights and for freedom from excessive government regulations. This Chamber member speaks out frequently at public meetings voicing very frankly (sometimes too frankly) his opinion and feelings. Oh did I mention he does NOT have many friends who are lawyers!

He has served in recent years as our Government Affairs Committee Chairman and as a member of our Education Committee. He served a total of eight consecutive years on our Board of Directors and was Chairman of the Board from 1999 to 2001. He was instrumental in the Chamber's formation of the Laguna Madre Education Foundation and in the Hospitality Training and DECA programs at Port Isabel High School.

Please join me in recognizing long time Chamber advocate, Tom Hansen, owner of Scampi's Restaurant and Bar.