Ernie Withers takes helm at Manatee Chamber. That wasn’t his only honor of the week
It was Ernie Withers’ night at the Manatee Chamber of Commerce’s 57th annual dinner.
Not only was he installed as chairman of the board to lead the organizations 2,021 members, but his company, Mercedes Benz of Sarasota, received the JD Power Dealer of Excellence Award in Houston.
Although Withers was in Houston on Wednesday to accept the JD Power award, 18 members of his family, including his wife, Cindy, were present at the chamber dinner in the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto.
The crowd was able to hear from the new chairman, thanks to a pre-recorded video question-and-answer session with Jacki Dezelski, president and CEO of the chamber of commerce. The video contained more than a few surprises for the 550 in attendance at the annual dinner.
Withers, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on March 7. He is a former high school and collegiate wrestler, who has for many years officiated at high school and college matches.
Some lesser known facts about Withers included him starting his working life as a bus boy in a restaurant, and that his favorite high school class was physical education. He is a graduate of the University of South Florida.
Recommendations for success in business? “Read the “The 5 Levels of Leadership” by John Maxwell, he said.
“I am looking very much forward to being the chamber’s chairman this year,” Withers said.
Outgoing chairman Bill Poulton, an executive with Tropicana Products, praised the chamber for its engagement with government officials on matters of concern to the business community, for its work with students, encouraging them to stay in the Bradenton community and look for local career opportunities.
He presented the chairman’s award to Mayor Wayne Poston and the city of Bradenton for its work on the CityCentre building, which houses not only parking but the chamber’s new offices.
He called the new office facilities “awesome space” that will well serve the Chamber of Commerce for decades.
Susie Bowie, executive director of the Manatee Community Foundation, presented the Third Annual Robert P. Bartz Award for Outstanding Leadership to Bob Turner for his long-standing, influential leadership in Manatee County. Turner is the retired publisher of the Bradenton Herald.
Also in honor of Bartz, the late president and CEO of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, the USF Bartz Scholarship was presented to Yan Lu, a student at USFSM.
Dezelski said that moving into new office space in the CityCentre building was among the highlights of the year for the 130-year-old organization. The Manatee Chamber of Commerce is the largest in the Tampa Bay area.
During its long history, business leadership and involvement have made a difference and helped build a better community, she said.
“If not the Chamber, then who?” she asked.
In the digital age, personal connections are more important than ever. “The Manatee Chamber of Commerce is personal,” she said.
This story was originally published January 23, 2020 at 7:59 AM.
