• Photos from the ’50s, Page 14A

Larry Madrid didn’t know when he left the stage as outgoing president of the Bartow Chamber of Commerce that he would be back in minutes as the recipient of one of the town’s most prestigious awards, the George W. Harris Jr. Leadership Award at the Chamber’s Annual Event, held Saturday at Bartow Civic Center.

Presented by last year’s winner, Anita Stasiak, the award is named for the late George Harris, a prominent banker and community leader who was instrumental in starting the Leadership Bartow program. Winners of the award, which was first presented in 1995, must be graduates of one of the Chamber’s Leadership classes.

Like Harris, Madrid “has already, and will certainly continue, to have a positive effect on the Bartow community,” Stasiak said. The owner of Madrid Engineering “could be called one of Bartow’s most innovative leaders, whether it’s helping to find new ways to enhance local education initiatives, workforce development, or to promote Bartow as a great place to live. This innovative approach also extends to the development of new and exciting technology that embraces environmental stewardship.”

Madrid Engineering designed and constructed Bartow’s first green building in which his company is located at 2030 State Road 60 East, and was the first company in Bartow to adopt solar power, she said. The company was named to the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Fast 50, a list of the fastest growing privately held companies in Tampa Bay, and Florida Trend Magazine’s Best Companies to Work For in 2010, ranking 12th in the state in the Small Business category.

The firm was recognized in 2008 and 2010 as one of Florida’s Top 100 Diversity-Owned Businesses, and Madrid himself received Bartow’s C.C. Corbett Diversity Award in 2008.

He founded the Hispanic Society of Professional Engineers Chapters in Orlando and Tampa, and was recognized in 2009 by the Ridge Branch of the American Society of Civic Engineers as Engineer of the Year, and as a Diplomate by the Academy of Geo-Professionals in 2010, and is a Fellow of the American Society of Civic Engineers.

In addition to his term as president of the Bartow Chamber, Madrid has served on the Committee of 100, the Bartow Marketing Partnership and the Economic Development Steering Committee.

Community organizations he works with include Bartow’s Relay For Life, Women’s Care Center, Church Service Center, Polk Education Foundation, Bloomin’ Arts Festival, Main Street Bartow and Bartow High School.

The musical Madrid also directs a men’s chorus at his church. “Larry sings and plays the guitar – and performs one of the best renditions of the National Anthem you will ever hear,” Stasiak said.

In accepting the award Madrid thanked his wife Connie for her support. They are both graduates of Leadership Class 13, and have three sons: Andrew, Phillip and Danny.

Other awards went to members of the Chamber Ambassador and Can-Do Clubs, presented by Sandy Dobbertean, Chamber vice president of membership.

Nancy Young was named 2011 Chamber Ambassador of the Year, as top in membership sales. Earning Silver Dollar Awards for membership sales of $2,000 or more were Jennifer Sturgis, Shannon Medley and Jamie Blair.

Can-Do members work toward earning red jackets and membership in the Ambassador Club, Dobbertean explained. In the past, only the top salesperson was awarded this honor, but the rules were changed in 2010 so that any Can-Do member with $6,500 in membership sales earns a red jacket. Two were awarded this year, to Jamie Blair and Shannon Medley.

Also at the Fabulous ’50s-themed event, Rob Kincart, president and CEO of A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure, took over as president of the Bartow Chamber. As incoming president, Kincart had the privilege of choosing the theme, which he said was particularly the year 1957.

Sporting a ducktail hairstyle and a black leather jacket, Kincart told the crowd of more than 500 that serving as Chamber president was “truly an honor, and serving in the Chamber’s 125th year makes it even more special.

“With its roots traceable back to 1887, the Bartow Chamber is one of the oldest Chambers in the State of Florida. Throughout the years, its leadership has fostered economic development and unparalleled civic pride, making it one of the most respected organizations of its kind. Equally, this reputation has benefitted from countless community volunteers who continue to work toward making Bartow an ever-evolving community that embraces its roots and traditions.”

There was also time to party at the dinner and social event. Filled with colorful balloons, 1950s-style decorations, Bartow Civic Center was transformed into the “good ol’ days” remembered as a time of innocence and fun. Facades of two of Bartow’s landmarks, John’s Restaurant and Emmett’s A&W Root Beer Stand, built by Ralph Price, added the atmosphere and brought back memories to many longtime Bartowans. Upon arriving at the civic center, most were shocked to see the actual John’s Restaurant neon sign erected outside and lit with a spotlight. For many years, it not only drew diners to the restaurant, but served as a directional signpost for visitors to know where to turn to find downtown Bartow.

In keeping with the spirit, a hula hoop contest awarded the limberest and bravest in the crowd. Most quickly lost their hoops, but a few kept their hips moving several minutes until it was down to two ladies, Callie Neslund and Diane Hinton. And they kept going and going and going, with no end in sight. Finally, a tie was declared and the two split the $100 cash prize.

After all the raffle prizes and silent and live auction winners were announced, it was time for dancing. Kincart and wife Laurel were first on the floor jitterbugging, soon followed by others looking cool in white T-shirts and black jackets or swirling their poodle skirts and ponytails to the ’50s music spun by DJs Tom and David Thornburg before the time machine returned the revelers back to the present — or was it the future?