Steve Parker was named Citizen of the Year Thursday by the Durango Chamber of Commerce at Durango Rocks!, the annual awards ceremony.

He was one of 11 recipients honored at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College.

Parker was honored for founding the Leadership La Plata program, his work with Mercy Regional Medical Center’s fundraising campaign, and his work as a member of the Fort Lewis College Foundation board of directors and many other accomplishments.

He called on the community to keep working as a team to make great things happen.

“We’re still in it for a longtime game. Let’s keep playing as if we’re going to be relevant 100 years from now,” Parker said.

As a volunteer with the chamber, he put in hundreds of hours and helped move it from the “A” frame on north Main to Santa Rita Park.

He also helped raise $12 million for Mercy Regional Medical Center and served as District 8 state transportation commissioner.

The other nominees for the award were Steve Short and Karen Zink.

Honeyville won the Spirit of Durango Award for turning a small family business into a company with more than 90 handmade products, said Ken Duncan, the 2015 Diplomat Board President.

Owners Danny and Kevin Culhane thanked the community for its support through the development of their products.

“You all have been Guinea pigs for all our new recipes,” joked Danny Culhane.

Brad Cook was named the Diplomat of the Year for his commitment to chamber events. He is one of 40 diplomats who volunteers his time to represent the chamber.

“He is an all-around good guy and an outstanding diplomat,” Duncan said.

Among a group of diverse nominees that included Trails 2000 and the Regional Housing Alliance, La Plata Youth Services was named Nonprofit of the Year. The nonprofit was recognized for its success supporting and advocating for youths facing challenges in school, home or court.

“It is amazing they can do what they do with just seven staff members and four youth advocates,” said Lynn Urban, who presented the award.

The nonprofit’s executive director, Katy Pepinsky, dedicated it to the teens her staff members serve.

“May their strength and their resilience be an inspiration to us all,” she said.

Another inspiring force in the community, Renae Young, co-founder of the Durango Food Bank, was named the “Bill Mashaw” Volunteer of the Year.

She still serves as board president for the organization that served 450,000 meals in 2015.

Linda Campbell was honored with the Morley Ballantine Award for her commitment to the community and dedication to local women.

Campbell helps lead Ben Nighthorse Inc., and she worked with various organizations including the Ignacio Boys and Girls Club, the Pine River Learning Center, Mercy Breast Care Center and Mercy Hospice.

She worked with her husband and Mike Lovato to bring the Iron Horse Motorcycle Rally to Southwest Colorado in 1993.

She also sponsored the first U.S. Navy ship to be named for Mesa Verde National Park.

Campbell’s husband served in both the Colorado General Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and she stood by him even when she faced personal attacks, Pat Murphy said.

Jeremy Ham, the owner of Black Bear Carpet Cleaning and Repair, was named Young Professional of the Year. He was selected by the board of the Young Professionals of Durango for his work as a mentor.

Laura Lewis Marchino presented the Barbara Conrad Leadership Award to Stan Crapo, whom she described as “a leader who does not seek accolades and does not want to be in the limelight.”

Crapo, the owner of Star Liquors, was selected by previous award winners. The Conrad award was created by Leadership La Plata in 1996, after Conrad, the former executive director of the Durango Arts Center, died.

The Entrepreneur of the Year is Daudi Barnes, who started Advanced Mobile Propulsion Test in 2009.

“Yes, it is really rocket science, happening right here in Durango, Colorado, pretty cool,” Tim Walsworth said.

The Payroll Department won the Small Business of the Year Award. The business serves about 710 businesses, and it is a founding member of Local First.

Coca-Cola of Durango won Business of the Year. The business was established 100 years ago, and the Mapel family has been part of it for 78 years, Meredith Mapel said.

The business employs about 80 people, and the drivers are on the road for a million miles a year.

“They do it safely, professionally and with passion; I couldn’t be part of a better group,” she said.

mshinn@durangoherald.com

Durango Rocks! winners

Barbara Conrad Leadership Award: Stan Crapo

Young Professional of the Year: Jeremy Ham

Morley Ballantine Award: Linda Campbell

Diplomat of the Year: Brad Cook

Spirit of Durango Award: Honeyville

Volunteer of the Year: Renae Young

Nonprofit of the Year: La Plata Youth Services

Entrepreneur of the Year: Daudi Barns

Small Business of the Year: The Payroll Department

Business of the Year: Durango Coca-Cola

Citizen of the Year: Steve Parker