The Marion Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating its mission, members and community at its 103rd annual awards celebration on Friday, January 19, 2024, at The Pavilion in Marion. The program will feature presentations by the Chamber, elected officials, and 2023 award winners.

One of the awards that will be given during the event is the Lifetime Achievement Award. Nominations were sought for individuals who have demonstrated dedication and achievement in a professional capacity for 30 years or more. The Lifetime Achievement Award honorees were selected by the members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce Awards Committee. This Award is sponsored by First Southern Bank.

The 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award winners are:

·       Harry L Crisp II

·       Vernell Sellers

Harry L Crisp II

Harry L Crisp II is Chairman of the Board and CEO of Pepsi MidAmerica Company, a family owned soft drink business, that he built into one of the largest privately owned Peps-Cola and Dr Pepper bottling and distributing operations in the nation. Crisp is also the founder of Crisp Container Corporation, a manufacturing and logistics company, also located in Marion, IL. Crisp attend Southern Illinois University before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps. After returning from military service, where Crisp achieved the outstanding Marine award during boot camp, he began working in the family business which was founded in 1935 by his father, Harry Crisp Sr.

In 1997 Crisp formed Crisp Logistics and Manufacturing which produces plastic bottles and provides freight services for the Midwest. Later in 2008 the company again expanded its business operations into a related field of selling snacks and fresh food and has since acquired 53 snack and soft drink vending companies throughout the Midwest, making their full line service business one of the largest Canteen vending operations in the US.

Crisp presently serves as Vice President for the board of Culver Military Boys Academy and Girls Academy.  Previously, he served as Chairman of the Illinois Community College System for 10 years and is presently Chairman Emeritus. Crisp has also served as Board Member of the Illinois Board of Higher Education and as past Chairman of the Southern Illinois University Foundation. Crisp’s additional accomplishments include past President of the Pepsi-Cola Bottler’s Association, installed as a Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois and achievement as a 33 degree Mason.

Crisp was married to the “love of his life”, Rosemary Berkel Crisp, for 47 years, until her passing in 2007. He has 6 children, 16 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Vernell Sellars

In 1960, on the eastside of Herrin, Vernell Sellars started what would become a well known and long standing business for Southern Illinois. His meager beginnings took place in a one car garage at his residence. After much hard work and planning, Vernell secured a larger shop on Herrin Road. Here he began providing repair and towing services. As his business grew and the needs of the area were changing, he envisioned his shop being in a more developed area. In the early 80’s, he took notice of Marion's expansion and convenient  location off I-57. It was there that Vernell found the perfect spot at Rt 13 and Halfway Rd. Later, the business would have the address of 2605 Vernell Road, named in his honor.

In Marion he began building a new shop and providing the majority of his services via mobile units until the construction was completed. This new building had 3 bays, with one being a drive-thru express bay. It wasn’t long before the traffic coming from I-57 into an ever growing Marion, caused the need for a much larger shop. Vernell’s Towing would soon be known as Vernell’s Interstate Service. From this location he provided the community with 6 heavy duty bays and 6 express bays that were open 24/7. In addition to the service areas, Vernell also had a two story fully stocked parts department and tire service area. Sadly, the increase in traffic also brought with it an increase in accidents and misfortunes. He wanted to ensure those in their time of need would have help no matter the time of day or night or weather condition. He searched the area for the best of the best to help him build a well trained recovery team. This team would be dispatched at all hours of the day and night. They would rescue drivers and families and recover their cars, trucks and equipment from the interstate, water ways, and off road locations. He set a high standard, with knowledge, heavy duty wreckers and air cushion systems. Much of which had rarely been seen in Southern Illinois.

Despite being extremely busy with a multi-faceted business, he never failed to remember where he came from. He made it his duty to reach out to those that needed help or a second chance. He insisted on helping others anonymously. He was a big supporter of local athletics and clubs. Vernell provided equipment to local trade schools to help educate future generations of mechanics. Many of those local mechanics have made Vernell’s their work home. Some of them still remain here, nearly 40 years later Vernell’s vision, hard work, and dedication built a business that 63 years later is still standing strong for the communities of Southern Illinois. The services provided remain based on his belief that getting the customers to safety or back on the road safely, is the first priority.

What it means to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award…

“ I am deeply honored by this great award. Receiving this Lifetime Achievement Award for doing what I loved and believed in, humbles me.”