The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner was held on Friday, Jan. 23. The chamber honored more than 20 businesses, organizations and individuals at the “Wayne’s World”-themed dinner in First Bank Expo Hall at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond.
WWN was unable to obtain full award details before press time and hopes to include more information in future issues.
Joshua Smith captured these photos for the Western Wayne News.
Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce 2026 board chair AJ Sickmann, left, and 2025 chair Tony Foster start off the dinner with a “Wayne’s World”-themed skit Friday, Jan. 23, in the First Bank Expo Hall at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Melissa Vance thanks supporters during the organization’s annual dinner Friday, Jan. 23, in the First Bank Expo Hall at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
Tony Foster, 2025 board chair, speaks during Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner Friday, Jan. 23, in the First Bank Expo Hall at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
Tony Foster, 2025 board chair, speaks during Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner Friday, Jan. 23, in the First Bank Expo Hall at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
First Bank Richmond Banking Center & Motor Branch Manager/Officer Taylor Rogers, who won the Outstanding Committee Member award for Helping Young Professionals Engage Wayne County, speaks during the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner Friday, Jan. 23, in the First Bank Expo Hall at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
AJ Sickmann, 2026 board chair, speaks during the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Friday, Jan. 23, in First Bank Expo Hall at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
Volunteer of the Year award winner Rinda Litton is congratulated by AJ Sickmann and Melissa Vance during the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Friday, Jan. 23, in the First Bank Expo Hall at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
Champion of Diversity Award winners from Belden are congratulated by AJ Sickmann and Melissa Vance during the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Friday, Jan. 23, in the First Bank Expo Hall at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
Maria Haber, owner/operator of Paint the Towne studio in Richmond, accepts the Bob Rosa Buy Local Award during the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Friday, Jan. 23, in First Bank Expo Hall at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
Maria Haber, owner/operator of Paint the Towne studio in Richmond, accepts the Bob Rosa Buy Local Award during the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Friday, Jan. 23, in First Bank Expo Hall at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
Centerville Farmers Market is awarded the Outstanding Service to Agriculture award during the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Friday, Jan. 23, in First Bank Expo Hall at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
Girls Inc. of Wayne County CEO Tai Muldoon, left, and member Jo Wessel-McCoy accept the Achievement of Excellence, Nonprofit award from Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber’s annual dinner took place Friday, Jan. 23, in First Bank Expo Hall at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
Joe Backmeyer, board president for Boys and Girls Clubs of Wayne County, is congratulated by AJ Sickmann as Backmeyer accepts the Partner in Education award for the clubs. Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner took place Friday, Jan. 23, in First Bank Expo Hall at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
Whisenhunt Construction poses for a photo after accepting the Achievement in Excellence, Small Business award during Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner Friday, Jan. 23, in First Bank Expo Hall at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
A group from Milestone Contractors accepts the Achievement in Excellence, Large Business award during the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Friday, Jan. 23, in the First Bank Expo Hall at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
Ahaus Tool and Engineering’s Jeff Sheridan, second from left, and Kevin Ahaus accept the Corporation of the Year award from AJ Sickmann, left, Melissa Vance and Paul Witte during Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner Friday, Jan. 23. Sheridan is vice president and co-owner with Ahaus, who serves as president. 
Mark Broeker, Neighborhood Health Center’s human resources generalist, poses with the Young Professional of the Year award during Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner Friday, Jan. 23, in First Bank Expo Hall at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
Erin Campbell receives congratulations from AJ Sickmann for winning the Emergency Professional of the Year award during Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner Friday, Jan. 23, in First Bank Expo Hall at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
Bonita Washington-Lacey shakes hands with Melissa Vance while accepting the Educator of the Year, Higher Education award. Washington-Lacey is vice president for student life and dean of students at Earlham College in Richmond. Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner took place Friday, Jan. 23, in First Bank Expo Hall at Wayne County Fairgrounds. 
Bonita Washington-Lacey, vice president for student life and dean of students at Earlham College, shakes hands with Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce board member Paul Witte while accepting the Educator of the Year, Higher Education award. The chamber’s annual dinner took place Friday, Jan. 23, in First Bank Expo Hall at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
Pat Heiny asks attendees to make time to volunteer to help youth in Wayne County in her speech after she is announced the Art Vivian Distinguished Community Leader award winner during Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner on Friday, Jan. 23. Along with cofounding the Women’s Fund of Wayne County Foundation, which has given more than $400,000 in grants for causes supporting women and girls, Heiny is active in many community organizations and previously served as a Richmond Community Schools board member. 
Attendees stand as Pat Heiny is announced as the Art Vivian Distinguished Community Leader award winner during the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Friday, Jan. 23, in First Bank Expo Hall at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond. 
Peggy Muller, fourth grade science teacher at Hagerstown Elementary, holds the Educator of the Year award while talking with Nettle Creek Schools colleagues after Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner. The recognition took place Friday, Jan. 23, in First Bank Expo Hall at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond.
A version of this article appeared in the January 28 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.