Chamber gives Walshak awards to Debbie, Greg Tieken

Debbie and Greg Tieken were honored for their years of service to the community by the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture with the David B. Walshak Lifetime Achievement Award during the annual Chamber Excellence Gala Thursday, Feb. 6, at the JB Wells Expo Center.

Meanwhile, Attoyac Energy Services was recognized as the Community Impact Award winner, while other awards were given to Brittany Jones Caka (President’s Award), Beta Sigma Phi (Beautification Award), Kasey Rhodes (Commerce Award) and Connie Dolezal (Volunteer Work Award).

The theme of this year’s banquet, “Legacy of Freedom,” also served to honor the upcoming bicentennial of the founding of Gonzales in 1825.

Debbie Tieken was recognized for her leadership on Gonzales Main Street, during which she helped the program receive state certification, as well as on the Gonzales ISD Board of Trustees, during which the district completed an expansion of the North Avenue Intermediate campus and the construction of a new Gonzales Elementary School.

She also was a founding member of the Gonzales ISD Education Foundation, a former Gonzales Chamber board member and a former president of the Gonzales Central Appraisal District while also volunteering with the Gonzales Youth Center and the San Antonio Livestock Show.

Greg Tieken was recognized for his leadership as vice president of the Gonzales Healthcare Systems Board of Directors and as president of the Gonzales County Water Supply Corporation, having served on the board of that organization since 1986.

He served as president of First National Bank of Gonzales and First Commercial Bank of Seguin in a banking career that spanned 36 years and held positions on committees with the Independent Bankers Association of Texas as well as the national board of The Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders.

Greg Tieken also was a former Gonzales City Council member and has held positions with the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce, Gonzales Noon Lions Club, Gonzales Little League and other organizations.

The David B. Walshak Lifetime Achievement Award is given in memory of Walshak, a prominent banker who served as a shining example of achievement in winning the Chamber’s “Citizen of the Year” award during a career of service to the community.

The Community Impact Award, won by Attoyac Energy Services, recognizes “individuals or organizations that exemplify the spirit of community engagement, generosity and profound commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.”

The company supported the local Boy Scouts of America troop and purchased them new equipment while helping foster members’ leadership skills development and a spirit of commuinty service. When the GHS band was in urgent need, Attoyac stepped up to pull the band’s trailer to events so there would be no disruption.

Attoyac also has supported the Gonzales Shooting Team and funded meals for Gonzales senior citizens every Valentine’s Day and delivered flowers to residents at local nursing homes. As the first “Immortal 32” Sponsor of the Come and Take It Celebration, they have not only supported the event financially but put muscle where the money is and volunteered labor to assist with moving stages and addressing other last-minute needs for the event.

“Their dedication to supporting local organizations, enriching the lives of residents and addressing critical needs has left an engraved mark on our community,” Chamber board member Allison Davis said. “They have demonstrated time and time again that true leadership is not just about words, but about action, compassion and steadfast commitment to the well being of others.”

Caka, who is the incoming Gonzales Chamber board treasurer, was honored for her leadership of the Gonzales Noon Lions Club Foundation, which built the splash pad and the all-inclusive playground at East Avenue Lions Park. She has also been the entertainment chair for the Come and Take It Celebration for more than 11 years, a former president of the Gonzales Main Street Board and a vital member of the Gonzales Healthcare Systems Foundation board.

Beta Sigma Phi won the Beautification Award for its work in transforming the butterfly garden at the intersection of Saint Louis and Saint Paul streets into a charming, vibrant and cherished spot within the community with meticulously planted flora that was chosen specifically to attract butterflies and birds and has become a source of community pride.

Rhodes was recognized for her entrepreneurial spirit, having started four separate businesses that serve the community, including a consignment shop, estate sale business and cleaning service, all of which promote the reuse of goods and sustainable practices while supporting the local economy. She has worked with the workforce program at Gonzales High School to hire students and help them gain job experience while also supporting organizations like Little League and the Come and Take It Celebration.

Dolezal has served more than 10 years on the Main Street Board and helped contribute to events such as Winterfest and Happy Fall Y’all. She has planted flowers in the downtown square and picked up trash and as a member of Beta Sigma Phi was instrumental as an advocate for the butterfly garden downtown.