Members of the staff in Elkhorn were proud attendees of the West O Chamber Awards Gala on Tuesday Evening at 'The Club at Indian Hills'. Chad Sonderman, Julie Seidl, Neil Kirby, and Ashlei Johansen represented Commercial State Bank at the event, made even more exciting as Chad had been nominated for Business Person of the Year title which would be awarded that evening. This is a category that former President, Neil Kirby had been nominated and awarded in three years ago, making it a proud tradition for Elkhorn Branch Presidents. Chad was named Branch President earlier this year after being with the Elkhorn Branch as a Vice President and Lending Officer since it’s opening in 2014, and has also served as a member of the West O Chamber Board for just over two years. He will of course tell you that it was an honor just to be nominated, especially next to four other stand up members of the community. But the Elkhorn staff and his fellow members of the West O Chamber will tell you that this nomination was more than well deserved.
After dinner and a inspiring speech from Creighton Volleyball Coach, Kirsten Bernthal Booth, it was time to announce the evening’s awards. Titles for the first three categories had already been claimed, and the slideshow played for the Business Person of the Year category. As Chad’s name was read as a nominee and a photo of our Elkhorn Branch played along the screen, supportive cheers and applause rang out across the room. This applause was nothing compared to the cheering that erupted after his name was called as the winner of the category title. With his Commercial State Bank team, his wife Jenny, and several friends and fellow Chamber members watching, Chad took the stage to say that he was not only humbled by the award but also thankful to the Elkhorn Community that nominated him to begin with.
Commercial State Bank would like to extend sincere congratulations not only to Chad Sonderman, but to all of the individuals and businesses recognized during the evening. It is your dedication to our community that makes Elkhorn such a great place to live and work, and we are honored to be a part of it.
