Community members honored during chamber banquet

Seven citizens and two businesses were honored Thursday night at the annual Snyder Chamber of Commerce membership banquet.
Community awards were presented to people who helped promote Snyder through their work or civic involvement.
T&L Construction Co., Inc. received the McLaughlin Award for its contributions to the oil industry. 
The company began on April 1, 2017 with 31 employees and has grown to 67 employees in one year under the leadership of owners Mike Tyrrell and Tony Lambaren. Company chief financial officer/chief executive officer Tyrrell has 25 years of experience in the oilfield industry and takes on several tasks, including daily job updates and job-site safety inspections. Company president Lambaren has over 42 years of experience in the oilfield industry and oversees the daily operations of personnel and equipment for all jobs, making sure safety requirements are met and maintaining proper documentation.
Defaid Livestock Co. received the Winston Award for its leadership and progressiveness in the field of agriculture. 
The Evans family started off with a small Boer goat in 1998, and after showing registered Boers for several years, the family transitioned to market goat and market lamb shows. Today, the company primarily raises Dorper and Dorper crosses, aiming to provide high quality replacement commercial stock to its customers.
The Exemplary Service Award was presented to City Manager Merle Taylor for actively promoting Snyder.
Over the past 10 years, Taylor has received numerous recognitions for himself and the city. He serves on the Regional Water Planning board, the Snyder Independent School District Afterschool Centers on Education (ACE) board, the Western Texas College (WTC) Community Matters board, the Texas Mid-West community Network Executive Committee and the Snyder Chamber of Commerce board of directors. He is also the chairman of the West Central Texas Council of Government Solid Waste Committee and co-chairman of the West Texas Energy Consortium Infrastructure and Natural Resources Committee.
Barbara and Terry Leatherwood were presented with the chamber choice award for volunteer service within the community.
The Leatherwoods are both Snyder High School and WTC graduates. In 1998, they bought and expanded a paint and body shop, which began with three employees in a small shop that grew to 11 employees in two large buildings. Terry Leatherwood serves as the president of the Snyder Wheels Car Club, which hosts the annual Snyder Wheels Car Show, and was named the 2018 WTC Distinguished Alumni. Barbara Leatherwood oversees the annual Pops Memorial Junior Golf Tournament and has served on the Boys and Girls Club board, the chamber board and the Noah Project board. 
The Vestal Award, also known as the Mayor’s Award, was presented to Sonny Greenfield for his contributions to Snyder.
As a young man, Greenfield was active in the Jaycees, helping head up the Polio Vaccine Project and working the food booth at the annual rodeo. Later, he joined the Lions Club and became active at Colonial Hill Baptist Church, where he has helped with the TV ministry for 42 years, volunteered with church builders, served as a deacon and taught children’s Sunday school. After retirement, he volunteered at the Scurry County Food Cupboard and was named its director in 2006. 
Kay Hopper received the educational excellence career achievement award for her achievements in the field of teaching.
A Snyder High School graduate, Hopper began her teaching career in Borden County in 1979 and transitioned to an English teaching position at SHS in 1983. After several years in public education, Hopper taught multiple classes for the Windham Prison School in Colorado City from 1995 to 2007. In 2007, Hopper retired but stayed active at Snyder ISD by volunteering in the high school library, serving as a school board member and holding several positions with the Snyder Education Foundation board. 
The Sizemore Award was presented to John Paul Rogers, who earned the most Gold Coat points this year for his participation in Gold Coat functions, community service and chamber support.
Rogers is an Ira High School graduate and joined the Air Force in 1968. He served as an electric technician for one year in Mississippi and three years in New Jersey before he was discharged in 1972. Rogers has also worked as an electric technician for Mobil and as a senior IT and Technician for Occidental Petroleum. He has served the Snyder community as a Gold Coat since 2015 and is president-elect this year. 
Hurst Farm Supply was named the business of the year for its community involvement, support and positive impact in Snyder.
The company was started by L.J. “Red” Hurst in Lorenzo in 1955 with the goal of providing John Deere equipment with excellent customer service to the surrounding areas. The company has since grown to a seven-store dealership that employs over 120 people. Though Hurst sells agriculture products and provides repair services, it is committed, above all, to building relationships with its customers.