Chamber Announces 2021 Honors
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Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce 350 West Douglas Avenue Wichita, Kansas 67202 www.wichitachamber.org t: (316) 265-7771 f: (316) 265-7502 NEWS RELEASE Date: March 15, 2021 Contact: Tessa Brungardt 316-303-2071 [email protected] Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce announces 2021 Honors Night award recipients (Photos of individual award recipients are attached.) Wichita, KS – Following a tradition started in 1963, the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Honors Night recognizes an outstanding individual, an exceptional young professional, exemplary corporate citizens, exceptional commitment to the community, and a striking architectural achievement. Honorees will be recognized later this year during the annual Honors Night celebration, presented by Metro Courier, Inc. The 2021 award recipients are as follows: Dave Burk, MarketPlace Properties, L.L.C., is the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2021 Uncommon Citizen. Dave is a licensed architect, planner and developer specializing in historic renovations and public private partnerships. Originally from Iowa, Burk came to Wichita in 1971 and began his career as an Architect. After working with several firms over the years, he began his own firm, Watson, Breidenthal and Burk. In 1989 the firm was dissolved and Dave, through MarketPlace Properties, L.L.C. went into development full time. MarketPlace Properties began negotiations with the City of Wichita in 1987 and in early 1988 was named the preferred developer in the Old Town Marketplace District. Burk has been involved, both as an architect and developer, in the redevelopment of 39 buildings as well as the expansion of Old Town to the north, Old Town Square. Old Town has won the 2006 Smart Growth Achievement Award from US EPA and the 2008 Great Places in America Neighborhoods form APA. In 1999 MarketPlace Properties received the “Over the Years Award” from the Wichita Chamber of Commerce. Burk is also active in the Downtown Rotary Club, WDDC and Wagonmasters. He has served on the SSMID and WDDC Boards, the State Sites Review Board, the Way Finding Committee, chaired the Historic Board, served on the Tourism Council and Wichita’s Leadership Council. Burk and DJ have been married 43 years and have two grown daughters along with five grandchildren. They live in the place they love, a converted warehouse condo in Old Town. They share a vision and commitment to enhancing Old Town and downtown Wichita through their continued development work, their support of cultural events and the arts. Established in 1974, the Uncommon Citizen is the Chamber’s most prestigious individual award. It recognizes those who, by their individual efforts year after year, have made uncommon contributions to the people and institutions of Wichita and the surrounding area. Recipients are honored not only for their role in business but for their participation in cultural, civic, social and philanthropic activities. Darryl A. Kelly Jr. is the Chamber’s 2021 Exceptional Young Leader. Established in 2017, the award provides premiere recognition of extraordinary young talent who have a history of demonstrated leadership within their job and philanthropic involvement. Kelly is the Director of Project Management at Credit Union of America and is an active community volunteer. He is the mayor’s appointee on the City of Wichita Transit Advisory Board, a member of the W - A Community of Young Professionals Board of Trustees and serves as the organization’s appointee on the Riverfront Legacy Master Plan Coalition. He is also active with the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Committee, Mission Wichita, Friends of the Historic Dunbar Theatre and is a member of the City of Wichita Civic Engagement Academy Alumni Association. Kelly’s passion for mentorship is evident in his work with the Friends University mentorship program, as well as his involvement with USD 259 SuperSAC group, Urban Preparatory Academy, Brooks Middle School and Beech Elementary School. Kelly has also been a featured speaker for the Dressing for Success lecture series at Friends University. Kelly earned a Masters of Science in Management from Colorado Technical University in 2013 and a Bachelor of Science in Communications – Old Dominion University in 2005. He has called Wichita home since 2009 when he was first stationed at McConnell Air Force Base. Kelly is married to Jacqueline and they have three children. The recipient of the Spirit of Wichita award is Commerce Bank. Established in 2002, this award is given to an organization that received the Over the Years award at least 20 years ago, in recognition of its continued strength of employment, leadership, innovation, and community involvement. Commerce Bank received the Over the Years award in 1981. The recipients of the Over the Years award are Kansas Turnpike Authority and Union Rescue Mission. The Over the Years award recognizes companies and organizations with long-standing performances as good corporate citizens and major contributors to the community’s economic well-being; displaying leadership, innovation and community involvement. The recipient of the Keeper of the Plains award is Spaghetti Works District. The Keeper of the Plains award recognizes an outstanding architectural achievement completed by a firm, organization or individual, which has contributed to the beauty of our community. “The Chamber Honors Night Committee is excited to recognize the above individuals and companies for the impact they have had in Wichita,” said Jackie Gearhart, Vice President of Treasury Management at UMB Bank and Chair of the Honors Night Committee. “We look forward to hearing more about their extraordinary contributions to our community at our celebration event later this year.” Honors Night 2021 is presented by Metro Courier, Inc. Information about the event will be released at a later date. Visit wichitachamber.org/honorsnight or contact Chelsea Dyer at [email protected] for more information. # # # Purpose Statement: Success for our members, leadership for our community, prosperity for our region. 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