Miller Gorrie, Larry Faulkner, Amy Stephens recognized at Chamber Luncheon
Miller Gorrie said he was surprised to receive the Jemison Visionary Award at the annual Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce Luncheon today, but was still delighted to accept it.
“The first thing I said when I was told about it was ‘why me?’ All I do in Mountain Brook is pay my taxes. I’ve also kept the patrol busy on Montclair Road,” said Gorrie, while accepting the award at the Grand Bohemian Hotel.
While Gorrie might have been unprepared for the nomination, his legacy needs little explanation.
Gorrie, founder of the multi-billion dollar Brasfield & Gorrie construction firm and its current Chairman, has helped spearhead the construction of some of the biggest projects in Alabama and beyond. In Mountain Brook, Brasfield and Gorrie left its footprint in its renovation work at Mountain Brook High School and Fine Arts Center, the Mountain Brook Municipal Complex and Mountain Brook Community Church. Today his company is overseeing the return of Crestline Village’s beloved Piggly Wiggly Supermarket.
“Everyone was in love with the Pig, and so was I,” said Gorrie.
So when it closed, Gorrie said he was among those trying to find a way to bring it back.
“It was an all-around community effort,” he said. “It’s going to be a great project when it is completed.”
Though the plan had initially been for the Pig to open in April, Gorrie said today it likely won’t be until May.
Gorrie opened up about his beginnings in construction on the heels of his firm’s 50th anniversary in the January issue of Village Living, where he spoke about his lifelong love of building.
The luncheon’s keynote speaker, CEO Emeritus of Royal Cup Coffee Hatton Smith, said it was Gorrie’s attitude and vision that led to his success. It was those same qualities, he said, that were at the heart of Mountain Brook’s founding and continued success.
“Mr. Robert Jemison had vision and a great attitude as well,” said Smith of the city’s founder. “Vision and a winning attitude breeds success.”
The celebration of that success continued throughout the luncheon, as city leaders recognized the people who help the city run.
Finance Director Steve Boone presented the Employee of the Year Award to Amy Stephens, in charge of the city’s payroll.
“She’s conscientious, dependable, organized and always thriving for excellence,” said Boone of Stephens, a 20-year employee of the city. “Her engine runs a little differently than everyone else’s.”
Emmet O’Neal Library Director Susan DeBrecht awarded Larry Faulkner with the Tynes Award, for his service. Faulkner, said DeBrecht, was instrumental in development of the Library Foundation. Faulkner’s contributions to the library, said DeBrecht, will serve its patrons for generations to come.