By J.J. Smith. Companies involved in energy, health care, law and the Internet were recognized as the 2009 Large and Small Businesses of the Year for at the annual Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce Awards and Member Appreciation Banquet, Jan. 21, at the Hilton Bella Harbor Hotel.

Atmos Energy Corporation and Lake Pointe Health Network were honored with the Large Businesses awards by Rockwall Mayor Bill Cecil and Chamber Executive Director Margie Hooper.

Law firm Jordan, Houser & Flournoy, LLP, plus website developer Adfinity.biz received the Small Businesses awards from Mayor Cecil and Hooper.

Other awards presented were:

Business Partner Appreciation Awards to the City of Rockwall and Rockwall ISD.

Directors of the Year to Chamber Board Chairman and attorney Bill Houser (seen in above photo with his wife, Stacy) and Glen Farris, owner of Adfinity.biz.

Ambassador of the Year to Sheila Hair, co-owner of The Computer Guy

Spirit of Rockwall to Cheryl Dunlop

According to a Chamber spokesperson, outgoing Board Chairman Sandra Doyle presented an overview of the organization’s successes last year, and presented a new, eight minute DVD called “Rockwall – The New Horizon.” It was recently produced as a marketing piece for many different stakeholders within the community, she said.

Incoming Chairman Houser next presented a few key facts from the Chamber’s business plan, noting a primary focus for 2010 is member retention.

ATMOS Energy CEO and Chairman, Bob Best, introduced the keynote speaker, ambassador James Oberwetter, who is the current president of the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce. He gave an informative overview of the North Texas region and how it is a global player in all areas of commerce.

For more info about the Chamber, visit http://www.rockwallchamber.org.