Patton Award goes to Dave Hunt, Sr.
The highest award of the year, The William Patton Award, went to Dave Hunt Sr. The William Patton Award was developed in 1987 by the Chamber Ambassadors and the annual recipient is someone who conforms to the same high standard of conduct and honor that Mr. Patton lived by, which includes: Community Service, Professionalism, Religious Involvement, and the Highest Standard of Moral Character and Conduct.
Previous recipients included Hugh Banninga (1987), James Moore (1989), Bess Osgood (1990), Eloise Hambelton (1991), Roy Briggs and Muriel Gilson (1992), Stuart Oppenlander and William Richards (1993), Bernard Feldpausch (1994), Paul McNamara (1995), Donald Rademacher (1996), Fred and Mary Meyer (1997), John and Catherine Rumbaugh (1998), Robert Sirrine (1999), Gordon Vandemark (2000), Leon Brewbaker (2001), Edna Flegler (2002), Ken Moore (2003), John Arehart (2004), Alvin (AJ) Thelen (2005), Roger Dershem (2006), Dennis Koenigsknecht (2007), Bonnie Fyvie (2008) and Joann Martis (2009).
Pat Hunt, Dave Hunt Sr, Terri Hunt and Dave Hunt Jr.
The Chamber Ambassadors were especially pleased to bestow this honor on Dave Hunt Sr. To give you a little background, Dave has been married to Terri since 1976. They have two sons, Dave Jr. and Pat. Pat and his wife Shelly have made Dave a proud grandfather with two sons Wyatt and Noah and Dave Jr. was very recently married to Kimberly. Dave and Terri are now raising their nephew Isaac.
Dave got his first job at the age of 14 at Big Boy of all places, hired by his mom. He started out as a bus boy and spent the next 30 years with Big Boy Corporate. The last 12-14 years with Big Boy he was Vice President of Franchise Operations where he spent a large amount of time traveling to franchises all over the country, including international locations such as Japan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan and Spain. Today he continues to sit on several Big Boy Franchise Advisory Committees.
Dave bought his first Big Boy Restaurant in St. Johns in 1998. He added Stevensville in 1999, Essexville in 2005 and Mason in 2007. All stores have been on the Big Boy Presidents Club, which means they have each upheld the standards that Big Boy sets. In 2006 he received the Big Boy Corporate Franchisee of the Year award.
Through his business he supports many community organizations and events with financial contributions, product donations and Celebrity Server nights just to name a few. He is always a contributor to the Cancer Survivors Walk and each year he donates hundreds of hot dogs to the National Night out. If you ever want to hear a funny story, ask him about the elderly lady that cut in line 5 times to get free hot dogs.
Not only is Dave a supporter of his community, but he has encouraged his sons to get involved in their community. Dave Jr. is currently President of the Michigan Capital Regional Big Brothers Big Sisters and has been a Big Brother with that organization for years and Pat is a former member of the St. Johns Exchange Club and currently sits on the supervisory committee of the Clinton County Federal Credit Union. It is apparent Dave has set a good example and his sons are following in his footsteps.
Dave is a longtime member of the St. Johns Kiwanis, having served in many capacities. He is a distinguished past president, he serves as the head of the nominating committee and is on their Community Services committee. He chairs the Texas Hold’em events, a position he has held since its inception 5 years ago. Dave has personally recruited over a dozen current or past Kiwanis members.
A dedicated community leader, Dave Hunt joined the Sparrow Clinton Hospital Board of Directors in 2003. He rose to the position of Vice-Chair in 2006, and accepted his current title, Chairman of the Board, in 2009. In addition, Dave serves as a member of the Sparrow Audit Committee.
Dave embraces his role with the hospital as only he can – by making a 100-percent commitment to excellence. He regularly attends hospital events and celebrations – never missing an opportunity to serve as a healthcare advocate. Dave also “rounds” on Sparrow Clinton Hospital Associates, learning more about the day-to-day operation of all the departments and inspiring everyone he meets to live the hospital’s mission to provide quality, compassionate care to every patient, every time.
Dave’s religious involvement goes hand-in-hand with his moral character. 2 years ago he participated in the Walk to Amaeus, a challenging 3 days of completely giving control of your life to Jesus. Since then he has been baptized as a born again believer, became a member of the Pilgrim United Methodist Church and participates in a weekly accountability small group with other local civic leaders.
Dave is not only a member of the Chamber of Commerce, but a former Chamber of Commerce Board member and participant and supporter of chamber events such as the annual Golf Outing and Mint Festival. Big Boy is a frequent caterer of Chamber lunches, like today and Big Boy makes the hot food items for the Chamber’s annual Baked Potato Lunch and their Breakfast with Santa. Even though Dave serves breakfast each day at the restaurant he is always encouraging families to attend the Chamber’s Breakfast with Santa and even goes so far as to help sell tickets.
Dave Hunt is a true example of the type of person many of us strive to be and it was with great pleasure that the Chamber of Commerce presented him with the 2010 William Patton Award.
The Clinton County Chamber of Commerce also recognized several member businesses and individuals. Those recognized included:
Uncle Johns: Dave Hudgens, Carolyn Beck, John Beck, John Heystek and Mike Beck
Uncle Johns Cider Mill received the Outstanding Chamber Member Business Award. They were recognized for their innovation, commitment to community and diversity, their perseverance and the support of the mission of the Chamber of Commerce.
Nate Zigler and Dave Hudgens, President of the Chamber of Commerce
Individuals receiving recognition were Nate Zigler as the 2010 Mint Festival Volunteer of the Year, Jean Irrer as the 2010 Community Volunteer of the Year and Glenn Pung, from Citizens Bank as the 2010 Chamber Ambassador of the Year.
Glenn Pung and Dave Hudgens