16 Mar 2015 Greenbrier chamber presents awards

Individuals who have given of their time and talents to their community as well as outstanding local businesses were recognized last week by the Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce.

Greenbrier city employee Shellie O’Quinn was selected as the Citizen of the Year.

Ty Kelso was selected as the Volunteer of the Year Award and Ethan Edwards was named Student of the Year. The three were recognized March 12at the chamber’s annual banquet.

Longtime Greenbrier Mayor Melton Cotton was also recognized as the second recipient of the Spirit of Greenbrier Award. Cotton, who recently retired, served as mayor for 27 years. In recognition of his service, the Greenbrier City Council recently voted to name the community center the Melton Cotton City Event Center.

Last year, the Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors created the award to recognize an individual who embodies the spirit of the community. Billy Joe “BJ” McMillen was selected by the board as the award’s first recipient.

“The annual award winners are nominated and voted on by the membership at large and have always been a great way to honor members of our community,” said chamber president Audreya Cole. “Unlike the annual awards, the Spirit of Greenbrier Award winner is selected by the board of directors only when an appropriate occasion arises.

“Similar to a lifetime achievement or an outstanding service award, recipients of this honor are recognized for being the embodiment of what Greenbrier represents.”

The complete list of award winners:

Citizen of the Year – Shellie O’Quinn

Volunteer of the Year – Ty Kelso

Student of the Year – Ethan Edwards

Spirit of Greenbrier – Former Mayor Melton Cotton 


New Business – Julie’s Sweet Shoppe

Non-profit – Greenbrier Fire Department

Small Business of the Year – Wagon Wheel Restaurant

Business of the Year – Whit Davis Lumber Plus

Christina Munoz Madsen, associate vice president of communications, public relations and marketing at the University of Central Arkansas was the guest speaker at the event, which was held at the Greenbrier Junior High Cafetorium.

(See additional photos from the chamber banquet in the May edition of 501 LIFE.)