Highlands Ranch chamber honors top volunteers, businesses at luncheon

As close to 300 members poured into the Wildlife Experience for the 2012 Chamber of Commerce of Highlands Ranch Awards Luncheon this past week little doubt was left that this year’s ambassador of the year and Hall of Fame inductee have been doing a bang-up job at spreading the word about the chamber.

Carolyn Burtard of Juice Plus, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame at last year’s luncheon, did not stray far from the spotlight as she was named the 2011 Ambassador of the Year. Angel Tuccy, who takes over as chair for the chamber’s board of directors, relieving Craig Erickson of Wind Crest, was this year’s Hall of Fame Inductee.

“They are our arms, our feet, our voice and I love our ambassadors,” said Tuccy, who co-hosts a business-talk radio show with Eric Reamer, her Experience Pro partner. “If I had to choose I would have given each one of them the ambassador of the year award, but luckily I don’t vote, it’s done by points and Carolyn won fair and square.”

Tuccy, who also co-wrote a best-seller, “Lists That Saved My Business,” with Reamer, praised Burtard for showing up every month to multiple events, serving on a variety of committees and always being willing to volunteer her time.

“Our ambassadors are like cheerleaders for business, everybody knows who they are, they are always around, they are always available, they are always volunteering, but they are bringing others into the chamber. They are probably the best marketing PR the chamber has,” Tuccy said.

Burtard, who is one of 25 chamber ambassadors, returned Tuccy’s compliments in kind as she welcomed the newest member of the Hall of Fame she joined last year.

“It is an annual (honor) but it really recognizes a continuous period of time for people who have dedicated a lot of their time, effort and energy to the chamber,” said Burtard of the Hall of Fame recognition. “In Angel’s case, it’s being on the board, doing things behind the scenes, in front of people, doing everything she can do.”

In addition to the two individual honors, three businesses were also recognized at the luncheon for going above and beyond in the community.

The 2011 Small Business of the Year Award, for businesses with less than 10 employees, went to the Re/Max Simonson Team. The 2011 Business of the Year Award, for businesses that have between 10 and 50 employees, went to the Highlands Ranch Law Center. And the 2011 Corporate Business of the Year Award, for businesses with more than 50 employees, was awarded to the Wildlife Experience.