Aiken Chamber names Star, Standard publisher Man of Year

Scott Hunter, editor and publisher of both The Star and Aiken Standard was named the Man of the Year at the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce awards banquet last Friday.

Also recognized was Vicki Bukovitz, the Area Churches Together Serving (ACTS) director, who was named Woman of the Year.

Hunter joined the staff of the Aiken Standard nearly 40 years ago as a sports editor. Under his position of publisher, Aiken Communications was established, which includes The Star, purchased in 1998.

In 2003 the publisher initiated monthly "Quality of Life" lunch meetings, where leaders of faith, government, education and human services could come together to discuss and address community issues. Those meetings have contributed to the establishment of Aiken 2-1-1, the Child Advocacy Center of Aiken County and support in improving the Aiken County public schools. In addition, recently a North Augusta Service Network has been established following the pattern of the "Quality of Life" lunch events.

Hunter has served or continues to serve with the Aiken Rotary Club, ACTS and the United Way.

The award "is a credit to all the people at the newspaper," Hunter said. "This is very humbling, and I've known a lot of the previous winners. I'm not sure I'm in the category, but it's very nice to be mentioned."

The late Carl Langley, an author and retired Aiken Standard reporter, wrote a letter about Hunter and asked that it be submitted to the Aiken Chamber posthumously.

The final paragraph reads as follows: "And above all, may God bless Scott for showing us all how to live our lives in service to family and friends, and for showing me and many others that those who are willing to do the right thing will always succeed no matter how stormy the path of life can be."

Bukovitz has been the ACTS executive director since 2003. She has worked hard to expand its services to help Aiken area individuals and families in need with food, clothing, utility assistance, prescriptions and medical care.

Security Federal Bank, celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, was named the large business of the year. The small business of the year award went to Don Cheeks, owner and president of Southeastern Tool Inc.

Security Federal Bank has grown from a small downtown business to a company with more than 200 employees and is the county's largest financial institution.

While the bank has gone through many changes over the past nine decades, "its commitment to its customers has never wavered," Chamber officials said. "Doing what's in the best interest of the customer is at the core of everything this business does. Likewise, its commitment to the community is just as steadfast. The business is a good corporate citizen that supports dozens of the area's civic and charitable organizations."

The bank's top executives - Chris Verenes, Tim Simmons, Frank Thomas and Barry Adams - have served as Chamber chairmen over the years. Verenes, the president and CEO, said the large business award is a surprise and a great honor. He noted sadly, however, that Clifton Weeks, the longtime chairman, died in October.

Chamber officials cited the success of Southeastern Tool Company to the employees' dedication and to the old-fashioned values and work ethic of owner Don Cheeks.

The company has an established local client base and, with just 40 employees, has recently moved into the international realm with clients in several foreign countries.

The company sponsors the Golden Harvest Food Bank's annual fundraiser, Taste of the Harvest; Celebrity Waiter Night benefitting Children's Place and the Steak 'N Steak Dinner for the Boys and Girls Club. The company provides support to the Red Cross and the Savannah River Cancer Foundation, as well as the American Cancer Society.

Outgoing Chamber chairman Frank Thomas of Security Federal Bank made a special presentation to Jon Stewart, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations plant manager. Thomas cited the $1.2 billion investment the company will make in a major expansion - the largest investment ever in South Carolina.

To honor the firm, the Chamber "has named its new conference room the 'Bridgestone America's Leadership Room' for the next 885 days," Thomas said, "to recognize the 885 jobs that your investment will create."

Arthur W. "Buzz" Rich, the incoming Chamber chairman, cited two of the Chamber's equine initiatives that are now under way. Dr. Simon Hudson, who attended Friday's banquet, is a University of South Carolina executive and is leading a feasibility study for an international horse park in Aiken County. Another important project, Rich said, is the establishment of the Greater Aiken Integrated Trails (GAIT) Foundation. It will support the work of the countywide integrated trail system.