By Aleasha Sandley, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
ANDERSON — A local auto dealership president who opened a new business in the midst of an economic recession was honored with the Anderson/Madison County Chamber of Commerce’s Entrepreneur Award on Friday.
Mary Jamerson, president and CEO of Anderson’s Myers Autoworld and Ford Autoworld, was presented with the award funded by the Madison County Community Foundation Charles H. and Hazel Dickmann Chamber of Commerce/Anderson University Fund.
The award, in its ninth year, is given to a local entrepreneur who makes a contribution to the local community.
“Few people in Madison County are more deserving of this award,” said immediate past chairman of the Chamber board Mike Austin, who presented Jamerson with the award. “How else would you describe someone who opened a new auto dealership this year?”
Jamerson, a lifelong Anderson resident, started her auto career in 1978 and was promoted to president, CEO and co-owner in 1990. She has served with the Corporation for Economic Development, Flagship Enterprise Center, Community Hospital, Christian Center and Chamber of Commerce.
“I am extremely honored but moreover humbled that the Chamber would choose me for this award,” Jamerson said. “I’ve been blessed with a staff of people that’s an incredible team. I am blessed to be a lifelong member of this entrepreneurial community.
“I will continue to do my small part in helping my community in any way I can.”
Anderson University sophomore Amanda Laflamme received the endowment’s $4,000 Falls School of Business Scholarship Award. Laflamme hopes to work for a nonprofit to help urban teens and possibly start her own nonprofit one day.
Education and entrepreneurship were the driving forces behind the scholarship, Falls School of Business Dean Terry Truitt said.
“There’s great strength in both, but there’s greater strength in partnering the two together,” he said.
Contact Aleasha Sandley: 640-4805, aleasha.sandley@heraldbulletin.com.
