Held at the Tomball Grand Pavilion off SH 249, the theme of the night was “Leo and Freddie’s Excellent Adventure,” an homage to the 1989 film “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”

In addition to a catered dinner and live music, the event also featured a silent auction, dancing, a costume contest and games.

After dinner was served, incoming Chairman of the Board Leo Corley (pictured, at left) gave an impassioned speech, sharing details of his life and the ups and downs of his financial struggles and success.

He cited meeting Chamber President Bruce Hillegeist and getting involved with the Chamber as important moments in his life.

“If it weren’t for the Chamber, I guarantee you things would have gone differently,” he said of the role the Chamber has played in his life. “You’ll get out of it what you put in.”

Hillegeist praised the facility and the catering and said guests of the event gave positive feedback about the night.

“It was really to emulate the people in our community that are making a difference in Tomball,” he said. “I look forward to what’s to come this year. It’s kind of like the starting gun, celebrating the people behind the chamber name.”

Hillegeist said 250 tickets to the event were sold this year, a number that GTACC special events coordinator Faye Drennan said was consistent with last year’s numbers.

The annual ball, which organizers began planning last June, is funded through ticket sales and sponsors and is when the new chairman is introduced to the organization, Drennan said.

“The ball really honors the citizen of the year and then it’s the intro for the new chairman of the board, to honor him and introduce him to the community,” she said.

Last December, the GTACC named architect and Tomball councilman David Quinn as its citizen of the year, who was also honored at this year's ball.

To see more photos from the event, visit tribunenews.com

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