The Union County Business & Professional Association named Scott Inklebarger and Tonya Atkins, the Union County Man and Woman of 2023 at its 33rd annual banquet on Friday, November 3.
Inklebarger is the manager of Food City and Ms. Atkins is the owner of A&B Bookkeeping. Both were chosen based on their outstanding and continuous community service along with their quality business practices.
Martin Shafer, the last year’s Man of the Year, summarized Inklebarger's contributions to the community.
Scott was instrumental in bringing Food City to Union County at a time when no full service grocery store existed. Scott's homegrown friendliness and his desire to serve the people have made this Food City rank number one or two in sales among the KY-VA-TN stores in three states. The sales tax revenue from Food City returns to Union County to fund our schools, our cities, and our county.
Scott has a history of supporting local causes from 4-H biscuit making at the fair to local sports teams. Many fundraisers for people with serious medical issues have received Scott’s kindness. Numerous sports teams have benefited from his generosity.
Since 2010, he has played or sponsored a team in the UCBPA Golf Tournament. Beginning in 2013, Scott agreed for Food City to be an event sponsor and since then has donated thousands of dollars in door prizes, food for goody bags, and all of the water and drinks for every tournament.
Scott serves on the golf committee and personally invites more than half of the teams that play. In the last 10 years, largely due to Scott’s involvement, the tournament has enabled at least 36 deserving seniors to embark on a higher education.
Donna Riddle, Woman of 2022, praised Tonya for her support of the Farmers Market as she related the community involvement of Atkins.
Tonya has owned A & B Bookkeeping for more than 20 years. She has provided tax services and financial advice to numerous clients in Union and surrounding counties.
She has helped several nonprofits achieve tax exempt status and offered her services to keep them financially sound at little or no cost to the nonprofit. Tonya has also sponsored sports teams.
She has donated to the UC Heritage Festival and served as the treasurer for that organization. She has served the UC Historical Society as a financial advisor. She was one of the founding sponsors of the UC Rodeo. She has contributed to the UC Fire Departments and sponsored many of their events.
This past year, when a stroke threatened her very being and her husband died during her recovery, she drew on her faith, her family, and her fortitude to give her the strength to reopen her business. She is back in her office part time and plans to be full time as tax season arrives. Tonya continues to be an example of courage and caring to everyone.
Tammie Hill, UCBPA President, reviewed the highlights of this year. From educational and entertaining programs, to morning meet and mingle, to a golf tournament and a prayer breakfast, the UCBPA has something for everyone.
R. Larry Smith recognized Tammie for her leadership along with the awardees of years past.
Marvin Jeffreys delivered the invocation and challenged each one to elevate Thanksgiving with an “attitude of gratitude.”
Auctioneer Martin Shafer elicited $585 toward the scholarship fund with the live auctions. Pete's Place served an awesome menu and Ridge and Valley Coffee House provided the coffee to complement Dionne's Killer Cake.
The UCBPA will streamline the meetings for 2024 to a 30-minute focused program of information, business, or entertainment.
Meetings are at 12:15 on the second Tuesday with a bring your own lunch to the FirstBank Conference Room in Maynardville.