Pictured, from left, are Pierceton chamber treasurer Georgia Tenney; business of the year award winner and founder of Himes & Krull, LLC, Dana Krull; citizen of the year Tim Smith; spirit of the year winner Matthew Brubaker; Pierceton chamber president Alicia Elder.

PIERCETON — The Pierceton Chamber of Commerce held their annual open house last night, July 18, and announced their business of the year, citizen of the year and spirit of the year awards.

President Alicia Elder read letters written in regards to nominations before presenting the awards.

Business of the year was awarded to Himes & Krull, LLC, which was started in Pierceton by Dana Krull in 1976. The letter began: “If there’s one thing we as Americans are protective over, it’s our financial well-being. We are very fortunate to have a service available within our community that is able to ensure success while protecting this well-being.”

This year Himes & Krull partnered with the YMCA in their promotion of starting a 529 educational savings account for students grade kindergarten through third grade at Pierceton Elementary School. They were awarded business of the year for their continued dedication to the community.

The citizen of the year award went to Tim Smith. The letter of nomination recognizes Smith as someone who takes an active role in helping the future generations.

“In Pierceton, Ind. we are fortunate to have many community members who routinely are giving up part of themselves to provide a safe, caring community for our future generations to grow up in,” states the letter. “Our citizen of the year has been able to provide exactly this by using the sport of baseball.”

Smith has been involved with umpiring and coaching within the Pierceton community for the last 40 years and has taken an active role of the Pierceton Youth League.

The final award, the spirit of the year award, is given to someone who “represents what Pierceton stands for.” Elder described winner Matthew Brubaker as someone who has grown up in Pierceton and has never wanted anything more than to give future generations opportunities.

Brubaker as served more than 20 years at the Pierceton Fire Department with 10 years as chief, five years in different aspects of the Pierceton Youth League, is an active member on the Pierceton town board and recently volunteered to serve as secretary for the Pierceton Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber thanks all the winners for their service and dedication to the Pierceton community.