Stuttgart Chamber Holds 86th Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet

The Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce hosted its 86th Annual Membership Meeting and Awards Banquet, dedicating the evening to honoring the individuals and businesses that form the heart of the community. The night’s highest honor, the 2025 Citizen of the Year, was awarded to Jane Ferguson, a beloved teacher and mentor known for her lifelong dedication to the city’s youth and her quiet acts of service.

"I’ve never had children of my own," Ferguson said during her emotional acceptance speech, "I’ve always had lots and lots of kids". The award itself honors an individual who is an outstanding leader and has made generous contributions of service to the community.

The spirit of volunteerism was further celebrated with the 2025 Community Volunteer of the Year award, presented to Curtis Ahrens. This award is designed to honor an individual or group who performs outstanding community service, largely without recognition, and has played a prominent role in improving the quality of life in the community through exemplary service in nonprofit, civic, or charitable organizations.

Ahrens was recognized for his decades of service, ranging from coaching youth sports to leading community traditions like the Duck Gumbo Cook-off. Ahrens expressed his gratitude. “I’d just like to thank the community that we live in... very proud to be able to serve.”

In the business categories, First Electric Cooperative was named the 2025 Chamber Business of the Year. This award is presented to a Chamber member business that has demonstrated leadership and drive, making the business a leader in the community, and has allowed and encouraged employees to participate as volunteers on committees and at events. A representative for the cooperative expressed appreciation for the partnership with the Chamber and the community, noting the importance of reaching out and finding ways to get involved

The Rising Star Business award went to Quality Sign Fabricators. This award recognizes a motivated stand-out business that has been in business for three years or less, has demonstrated tremendous growth, and embodies the future of business in Stuttgart. A company representative shared their excitement for the future, saying, “We are so excited to create something different every day for all and to help your businesses grow.”

Rounding out the major recognitions, Krystal Addison of Konecny Insurance was named the 2025 Ambassador of the Year. This honor recognizes a standout member of the Chamber Ambassadors who has gone above and beyond, serving as official goodwill representatives and key liaisons between the Chamber and its members. Addison was noted for her unwavering dedication, having spent her Thanksgiving weekend volunteering at the Great Duck Race and working the Duck Gumbo Cook Off.


The evening also celebrated the graduation of the Leadership Arkansas County Class IV, a group of emerging leaders who spent the last year exploring the county’s infrastructure, agriculture, and heritage to prepare for future roles in community shaping. Leadership Arkansas County Class IV Graduates include the following:
Emily Belcher, First Electric Cooperative
LaKita Cato, Tru by Hilton
Randon Carlton, Baptist Health Medical Center - Stuttgart
Sonya Jenkins, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
Shelly Owens, Relerford Funeral Home
Ben Reynolds, Riceland Foods
Tabatha Rodgers, Farmers & Merchants Bank
LeAnn Scheiderer, Southern Bancorp
Dawn Teer, Era Enterprise
Nadia Washburn, Mack's Prairie Wings
Jalicia Wyatt, Arco Enrichment Center

The ceremony also included a look ahead to 2026, marking the Chamber's legacy of connecting businesses and building a stronger Stuttgart for the next generation.