Commissioner James Neeley [Click to enlarge]

Tickets for the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner and awards banquet, Feb. 11 at the Blue Ribbon Circle on the Celebration grounds, must be purchased by Tuesday at the Chamber offices on South Cannon Boulevard, 684-3482.

Tennessee Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development James G. Neeley will be the guest speaker, and the Chamber will present its four annual awards:

* Franklin Yates Lifetime Achievement Award;

* Deery Eakin Volunteer of the Year;

* Outstanding Leadership Award; and

* Special Services Award.

Award recipients have already been decided but will not be announced until the evening of the banquet.

The night begins with social time at 6 p.m., followed by dinner, the keynote speaker and the awards presentation at 6:30.

Neeley's department of state government oversees employment security, adult education, occupational safety and worker's compensation, among other areas.

Gov. Phil Bredesen appointed Neeley commissioner when Bredesen first took office in 2003.

Neeley's official biography states that he has extensive knowledge of state regulations in workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, safety and workforce development.

In his role as a member of the Governor's Jobs Cabinet, he traveled across the state with Bredesen for a series of roundtable meetings with local business, government and workers to develop ways to bring new business to Tennessee.

In 2004, Neeley won the Eagle Award from the National Association of State Workforce Agencies. The award honors individuals who soar to new heights in their efforts to serve employers and workers in the United States.

In 2005, Neeley was honored with another prestigious award nominated by the Tennessee Department of Education. He received the Distinguished Service Individual Award from the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium. He received the award for his service to improve opportunities for all Tennesseans, including his service on the executive committee for Education Edge.

In 2006, Neeley was named Carroll Countain of the Year by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, and in 2007, he was honored as the Fred Harris Professional of the Year by the Tennessee Industrial Development Council.

Throughout his career he has served on various state, federal, local and regional boards and commissions. Neeley resides in Huntingdon with his wife, Rachel. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren.