Courtesy photo / The Blair County Chamber of Commerce presented its annual awards at The Casino at Lakemont Park on Friday. Pictured are (left to right) Cory Gehret of Stiffler McGraw (Joseph P. Rosenhamer Chamber Spirit Award), State Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, (Athena Award), Hymie Antikol of UPMC Altoona-Greeter Services (George Award), Altoona Mayor Matt Pacifico (Donna D. Gority Servant Leadership Award), Judy Rossi (Educator of the Year Award), Bill Scully of Freedom Excursions by Scully LLC (Small Business Person of the Year) and Jackie Lantzy of CNB Bank (Young Professional of the Year Award).

A man who started a transportation business in 2005 was honored Friday as Small Business Person of the Year by the Blair County Chamber of Commerce.

Bill Scully of Freedom Excursions by Scully LLC, received the award at the chamber’s annual meeting at The Casino at Lakemont Park.

Freedom Excursions by Scully operates limousine buses, minicoaches and motor coaches.

“It takes guts to start a business. After 30 years with a mechanical construction business, he took a leap of faith to start a business he had no experience in,” said presenter Nick Gates of First National Bank.

Scully said he was pleasantly surprised to win the award.

“I am very honored to be among the people here today. I really appreciate this award, I am honored and humbled. Now I understand why it was important for my hair to look good today rather than (my wife, Deb’s),” Scully said.

Judy Rossi, a retired teacher from the Hollidaysburg Area School District, was named winner of the chamber’s first Educator of the Year Award, created to recognize those people from the local education community who play vital roles in providing guidance, incentive and direction to young people.

Rossi has been involved in numerous chamber activities including the career shadowing program.

“I an deeply honored to receive this award. I have wonderful committees who help me so much. I humbly accept this award with the other folks who have helped me,” Rossi said.

In the future, the award will be known as the Judith A. Rossi Educator of the Year Award, said Darin Tornatore, chamber board president.

State Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, was named winner of the Athena Award, which recognizes women for professional accomplishment, devotion to the community and assistance to other women in fulfilling leadership potential.

“It is such an honor to receive this award because I know how many women I admire who have received this award before me. Never underestimate the power of women,” Ward said.

The Donna D. Gority Servant Leadership Award, created to recognize a person in the community who is making a difference by choosing to serve first and then lead, was presented to Altoona Mayor Matt Pacifico.

“He saw an opportunity to serve the community at a critical time, a time when no one was eager to seek the position of mayor. This man stepped up. He helped change the form of government. Altoona is on a path to future success,” said presenter Lisa Michelone of Reliance Bank.

“This is a huge honor. Being involved in public service is not something I thought I had a heart for until I got into the role of mayor. Get involved in your club or a nonprofit, you may find it is something you have a passion for. I am really humbled by this,” Pacifico said.

Other award winners included:

— George Award for public service to Hymie Antikol of UPMC Altoona-Greeter Services.

— The Joseph P. Rosenhamer Chamber Spirit Award to Cory Gehret of Stiffler McGraw.

— Young Professional of the Year Award to Jackie Lantzy of CNB Bank.