Allyn Decker and Barbara Ridley were honored as the 2022 Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year and Woman of the Year respectively at the chamber’s annual awards dinner on Thursday, Jan. 26, in Grace College’s Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center in Winona Lake. 1st Source Bank and the Warsaw Times-Union sponsored the Man and Woman awards. From left: Decker, 1st Source’s Doug Hanes, Times-Union Editor David Slone and Ridley. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WINONA LAKE — Allyn Decker and Barbara Ridley are the 2022 Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year and Woman of the Year respectively.

The two received the distinctions at the chamber’s annual awards dinner on Thursday, Jan. 26, in Grace College’s Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center in Winona Lake. About 530 attendees were present to see the two collect the awards sponsored by 1st Source Bank and the Warsaw Times-Union and gave Decker and Ridley standing ovations.

Times-Union Editor David Slone read a biography on Ridley before announcing her as Woman of the Year.

“Our Woman of the Year has been a very active and committed member of our community for many years. She is a true servant-leader and lives her life very intentionally,” read Slone. “Her insights on the issues are extremely valuable and her enthusiasm and willingness to volunteer is inspiring.”

“She has continuously given her time and talent to positively impact others in Kosciusko County,” continued Slone. “Through her community involvement, she has forged strong relationships with others and is dedicated to giving back through a variety of volunteer efforts.”

Ridley’s community service includes: being a Court Appointed Special Advocate and The Beaman Home shelter advocate and board member and on the OrthoWorx Diversity Committee and Live Well Kosciusko Board of Directors.

“Her faith is very important to her and she volunteers at Warsaw Community Church (in several capacities including helping lead) Warrior Women, a support group for widows,” read Slone. “A … nominator said, ‘She is the epitome of grace and love … She welcomed me into the community with open arms and support. She has been a true champion for me and my family.'”

“I can’t believe this is true, but thank you so much,” remarked Ridley upon accepting the award. “I was just saying to some of my colleagues tonight, and I always tell my children to surround yourself with strong people and show up, always show up and show up caring and I hope to be that example to my children as well as the people that I associate with, so thank you for being strong people and thank you for being here tonight.”

Ridley then said she felt a bit “speechless.”

“Thank you so much for the support that Kosciusko County has given me and my family,” she added.

1st Source’s Doug Hanes read information on Decker.

“Our Man of the Year has worked tirelessly on behalf of everyone in Kosciusko County for over 30 years,” read Hanes. “It would be safe to assume that many of you here tonight have encountered his passion for our community at some point during your career.”

“As a very giving person and an engaged listener, he is always there for others when professional advice is sought,” continued Hanes. “He is an acknowledged leader in the community and has dedicated countless hours to giving local emerging leaders the opportunity to discover how they can make a difference in Kosciusko County.”

Decker’s community service includes: the Lakeland Christian Academy Board of Directors, Kosciusko Economic Development Corp., LaunchPad, Todos Juntos and the Martin Luther King Jr. community committee and being moderator for the Kosciusko Leadership Academy for more than 15 years.

“Professionally, our Man of the Year has made a great impact in the lives of students at Ivy Tech,” said Hanes. “He has a heart for students who are working hard to achieve their goals … Whether he’s advocating for students, serving on committees, fundraising, leading Kosciusko Leadership Academy or being a friend, mentor and sounding board for past students and local professionals, he always has the future of the community at heart.”

Decker noted that he was “a transplant” to the area, having come from Michigan originally.

“What a joy it’s been … to raise our family here, to launch our careers and to do a little bit to launch other people’s careers as well,” he said. “I look forward to many good years to come.”

Decker and Ridley spoke briefly to media members following the dinner. Both mentioned they had served together at several entities, with Decker mentioning “it was really fun to (be named Man of the Year at the same time when Ridley received Woman of the Year)” as a result.

Ridley said it was “absolutely amazing” to receive the award, getting a bit emotional.

“My heart is full. I can’t believe that I would be honored or given this honor,” she said. “To be a part of Kosciusko County and be surrounded by these strong people that I keep telling people they need to surround themselves with, so I’m thankful and grateful and I feel very blessed.”

“I consider it a privilege to give to this community and to be part of it and to be recognized in little ways over the years for what I’ve been able to do, so receiving this award just feels … very humbling because it really is a privilege to serve,” said Decker. “It’s just icing on the cake I guess and maybe a little bit of recognition for those early board meetings and those extra hours for committee work, but it’s all been a joy. It’s all been great and I know Barb would say the same over our 30 or 40 years of service, we’ve seen this community grow in such amazing ways and it takes an army of people to do that.”