The El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting nominations for Administrative Professional of the Year.
The nomination period closes at 2 p.m. this Friday, April 14, and Chamber representatives are encouraging local businesses to get their nominations in this week.
Karen Hicks, events and membership coordinator, and Kaitlyn Rigdon, economic development project manager, said any administrative professional is eligible for the recognition. Debbie Lewis, administrative assistant at the El Dorado Fire Department, was last year's Administrative Professional of the Year.
"It seems to be that person, every year, that rises beyond just clocking in and out – (someone who) shows integrity and their position and deserves to be Administrative Professional of the year," Hicks said.
Added Rigdon, "It can really be for anybody that's in an administrative position, anybody that helps another professional."
Once all the nominations are in, they'll be delivered to the U.S. Small Business Administration office in Magnolia, where the winner will be chosen.
"They go through all the nominations and they actually pick, so it's no one here in our office. We outsource that so it's completely neutral," said Hicks.
The winner will be announced at the Administrative Professional Luncheon, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on April 26 – Administrative Professionals' Day -- at the El Dorado Golf & Country Club. A travelling trophy currently in Lewis's care will be presented to the 2023 Administrative Professional of the Year, along with a plaque.
"Every administrative professional that's nominated gets a little something," added Hicks.
The luncheon is open to any administrative professionals who wish to attend, Hicks said.
"The luncheon is a really popular event we have every year. Even if you don't have someone nominated, you can bring your staff and have lunch," Hicks said. "It's a really great event."
Nomination forms are available on the city website, goeldorado.com, by visiting the upcoming events calendar and viewing the event details for the Administrative Professionals Luncheon. Forms may also be requested from Chamber Communications and Finance Coordinator Faye Brown by emailing [email protected].
"I think sometimes being an administrative professional, it's just a thankless job, and to be able to recognize those individuals that work so hard and don't get recognized as often as they should, it's a privilege for us," Rigdon said.
For more information about the Administrative Professionals Luncheon or to request a nomination form, email [email protected] or call the Chamber at 870-863-6113.