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Although the weather on Friday evening was cold and snowy, the mood inside the Par-A-Dice ballroom was the opposite.
Local and state dignitaries were present at the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner, and they all spoke highly of the city’s growth and the development still to come.
Michael Heisley, the founder of Heico Companies, CEO of several company subsidiaries and majority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, delivered the keynote address, and spoke of his business background and why he expects the economy to rebound in the near future.
“(From 1979-1982), Americans were talking about how we couldn’t compete in manufacturing ... and that things were pretty bleak,” he said. “What happened is ... the American people basically got out and started working, started producing and making great strides in the country.”
He added that communities like East Peoria would help lead the country to a recovery soon.
“I truly believe that those (recovery) years are ahead of us,” Heisley said. “I believe we will see the day, and we’re seeing it in East Peoria, but we’re going to see it across the country where companies like Caterpillar lead us and drive us to get the desire and will to turn the American worker and entrepreneur loose to do what only this country can do.”
While Heisley currently employs 11,000 workers, he grew up with limited means and said only in America can an individual succeed like he has.
“(This country) is unique because we have the entrepreneurial spirit and ... we have people that will get up and pull us out of this situation,” he said. “As a young boy I grew up very poor ... in an 1,100-square -foot house with seven people.
“I’ve traveled all over the world and I don’t know any country where someone who basically lived in a house like I did and came from a house like I did can be blessed to reach their highest expectations,” he added.
Heisley was not the only guest to praise the development in East Peoria. U.S. Rep Aaron Schock, R-Peoria, commented that he needs to “bring the other 434 congressmen to East Peoria” to see all the development that is in the works.
In addition to Heisley and Schock, State Sen. Dave Koehler, R-Peoria, State Rep. Mike Unes, R-East Peoria, and Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman attended and spoke at the event.
Although the weather on Friday evening was cold and snowy, the mood inside the Par-A-Dice ballroom was the opposite.
Local and state dignitaries were present at the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner, and they all spoke highly of the city’s growth and the development still to come.
Michael Heisley, the founder of Heico Companies, CEO of several company subsidiaries and majority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, delivered the keynote address, and spoke of his business background and why he expects the economy to rebound in the near future.
“(From 1979-1982), Americans were talking about how we couldn’t compete in manufacturing ... and that things were pretty bleak,” he said. “What happened is ... the American people basically got out and started working, started producing and making great strides in the country.”
He added that communities like East Peoria would help lead the country to a recovery soon.
“I truly believe that those (recovery) years are ahead of us,” Heisley said. “I believe we will see the day, and we’re seeing it in East Peoria, but we’re going to see it across the country where companies like Caterpillar lead us and drive us to get the desire and will to turn the American worker and entrepreneur loose to do what only this country can do.”
While Heisley currently employs 11,000 workers, he grew up with limited means and said only in America can an individual succeed like he has.
“(This country) is unique because we have the entrepreneurial spirit and ... we have people that will get up and pull us out of this situation,” he said. “As a young boy I grew up very poor ... in an 1,100-square -foot house with seven people.
“I’ve traveled all over the world and I don’t know any country where someone who basically lived in a house like I did and came from a house like I did can be blessed to reach their highest expectations,” he added.
Heisley was not the only guest to praise the development in East Peoria. U.S. Rep Aaron Schock, R-Peoria, commented that he needs to “bring the other 434 congressmen to East Peoria” to see all the development that is in the works.
In addition to Heisley and Schock, State Sen. Dave Koehler, R-Peoria, State Rep. Mike Unes, R-East Peoria, and Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman attended and spoke at the event.
All of the dignitaries at the event were scheduled to give remarks except Unes, whose recognition came as a surprise.
The freshman state representative and former city council member was chosen as the Distinguished Citizen of the Year, and was surprised with the award and the presence of his children and family members after the announcement.
“I’m humbled and honored,” Unes said after receiving the award. “I was looking at the flier of past winners and it’s such an impressive list and I’m honored to even be mentioned in the same sentence as many of you.”
The chamber’s Business of the Year award was awarded to Gary Uftring of the Uftring Auto Group. While Uftring was out of the state and unable to attend the event, he was able to accept the award over a computer through the use of a webcam.
Waste Management, which has its regional headquarters located in East Peoria, was given the Green Company of the Year award for 2011. Steve Matheny, a senior manager of the company, accepted the award.
Additionally, Christie Bohm was named Chamber Ambassador of the Year.
