Rodriguez wins Walshak Award from Gonzales Chamber

Personal Impressions co-owner Andy Rodriguez, who has also served as president of the Gonzales Economic Development Corporation for the past four years, was named the David B. Walshak Lifetime Achievement Award winner by the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture at the annual banquet Thursday, April 7.

Meanwhile, Gonzales Healthcare Systems was named the Community Service Award winner for its work in helping acquire and administer COVID-19 vaccines locally.

Rodriguez

“I would like to say that any accomplishments that I have ever made is because of you, the city of Gonzales,” Rodriguez said after receiving a standing ovation. “I went to school here, so any education I have came from the city of Gonzales. I have great friends here from the city of Gonzales and no person does anything on their own without support.

“As I look across the room, in one way or another we've crossed paths and we've worked together before. And that is exactly how we all do these things in Gonzales and how we make Gonzales move forward. So on behalf of everyone, family, friends, and those of us in Gonzales that work together, on behalf of all of them, I accept this award for you.”

County Judge Patrick Davis introduced Rodriguez, the winner of the Walshak Award, by noting he has “has served tirelessly over 48 years to our community, having helped in many professions” including as a Naval veteran, member of the Texas National Guard, Texas Game Warden, property manager and business owner.

“Needless to say, this man's passion and his commitment has set him apart,” Davis said. “He gives unselfishly to his family, his church and his community. He has proven himself worthy beyond distinction, and the acknowledgments of all that he has done for the community of Gonzales.”

As president of GEDC, Rodriguez was “instrumental in the establishment of grant programs for Gonzales businesses that were affected by COVID,” Davis said.

Davis said Rodriguez has had “the heart for service” for 37 years as a member of the Gonzales Noon Lions Club, during which he oversaw the installation of the splash pad at Lions Park; creation of multiple bus stops and installation of handrails for senior citizens.

A volunteer for the Gonzales Historical Commission, Rodriguez helped create the Fort Wall project and made possible the Come and Take It Trail Map and the interpretive panels at the Cost monument. 

Other organizations served by Rodriguez include Gonzales County EMS board; Gonzales Zoning Commission; Governor’s Vocational Committee; Gonzales County Emergency Management Coordinator; Gonzales County Crimestoppers; Gonzales Chamber of Commerce and agriculture; Knights of Columbus; Lone Star Council Girl Scouts; Boy Scouts; the Texas Game Wardens Association; the Gonzales Learning and Career Center and, of course, the Chamber.

The Walshak Award is named in memory of the late David B. Walshak, who was the Chamber’s “Citizen of the Year” award winner in both 1961 and 1972 and served as the Chamber president in 1962. Walshak also was president of the Gonzales Area Development Corporation, a member of Gonzales ISD Board of Trustees, chairman of the Gonzales Sesquicentennial Committee and recipient of many commendations before his untimely passing.

“For those of you that don't know, Mr. Walshak was here for only 45 years, but he accomplished an extreme amount in those 45 years, and we're here today to give an award in his honor,” Davis said.

This year marks the 30^th anniversary of renaming the award in Walshak’s honor, which also coincided with the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture.

GHS Community Award

Emcee Egon Barthels, introducing Gonzales Healthcare Systems as the winner of the Community Award, said the company took the lead in trying to help Gonzales heal amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.

“Amidst all those troubles, one particular group really rose to the occasion to keep us all safe,” Barthels said. “Much effort was put forward to acquire the vaccine, stage the event, register individuals, administer vaccines, monitor recipients and report aid to the state and federal agencies. They did that, and so much more, plus the many nights with a lot of work and hardly any rest.”

The Community Service Award was established to honor “a local individual, business or organization for meritorious service accomplished within a given year. Categories that may be considered in the awarding of this honor include historic preservation, promotion of the arts, education, commerce or industry, youth motivation and volunteer work.”