The West Chamber celebrated Jeffco businesses and strength in numbers during its 67th annual Chairman’s Inaugural Celebration on Feb. 21.

“We are all stronger together, and we’re here because of all of you,” Brian Willms, president and CEO of the chamber told the crowd gathered at the Terrace Gardens at Ken Caryl Event Center.

Kyle Clark, 9News reporter and co-anchor emceed the event, which honored not only businesses that had a difference in Jeffco in 2013, but also individuals who have done great work over their careers.

“This event is all about recognizing leadership, and we want to take a moment to recognize the efforts of these individuals,” Clark said.

The ceremony kicked off by recognizing the 25-year members of the chamber: 240 Union, Bandimere Speedway, Chase Bank NA - Lakeside, Colorado Community Media, Colorado State University - Jefferson County, Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery & Mortuary, Planet Honda, Shiloh Home Inc., Unique Litho, Wells Fargo - Applewood and Wells Fargo - Golden.

For the end of year awards, the chamber honored EcoGraphics as Small Business of the Year, St. Anthony Hospital as Large Business of the Year and the Developmental Disabilities Resource Center as Nonprofit of the Year. Bj Hambleton of Steps & Wings Healing Arts was named Ambassador of the Year, Shane Robert of Green Vine Marketing was named Young Professional of the Year and Kay Ehalt of Dream Baskets by Kay was named as the Unsung Hero.

What really made the celebration special was the beginning of two new award categories — the Jefferson County Hall of Fame, recognizing business, government and philanthropy and the Steve Burkholder Diamond Legacy Award.

Inductees into the hall of fame represent those in business, government and philanthropy in Jefferson County who have provided direction, energy and support for the development and betterment of Jefferson County, according to information provided by the Chamber.

The very first honorees are: Gary Wink, President and CEO of the Golden Chamber of Commerce for 19 years; Jack Newkirk, inventor of Shunts for Hydrocephalous and Electrosurgical cutting tools; Charlie Church McKay, a key figure in the development of Westminster around 104th Avenue and U.S. Highway 36, and the current Arvada Candelas Development; and Cindy Stevenson, superintendent of Jefferson County Schools.

“I want to thank my staff, the chamber board and visitors board, but most importantly all the volunteers,” Wink said. “Together we can all do a lot stuff — together we can be very strong.”

Fittingly, the first winner of the Steve Burkholder Diamond Legacy Award was Burkholder himself.

“The chamber did change my life, and I learned a lot from the chamber,” he said. “The key to success for all of us is mutual respect and the listening and sharing of ideas.”

The 2014 chamber chair, Joni Iman, closed out the event by trumpeting the changes and advancements in information and access chamber members can look forward to in the coming year.

“2014 will be a fabulous year,” she said.