Winner of this year’s Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Carolyn Crow said she had “no idea,” that she had won the award.

“Was it not a surprise,” she said after the luncheon during which she was announced as the recipient.

“Awesome,” and “undeserving,” were words she used to describe her feelings after winning the award.

As for what she wants to prove to the community in the wake of her recognition, she said she wants to help bring businesses and work to develop Athens into a bustling city with a lot of pedestrians. She will help in this effort through her role as chairman of the Downtown Development Association.

Crow said she has been a member of the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce through a lot of different organizations but she is currently representing her business Pablo’s on Market.

The Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year is awarded to the person who represents such qualities leadership, selflessness and integrity. He or she should also promote the good of the community through his or her volunteer activities.

Jeff Hodges of First American Bank presented Crow with this year’s award.

Several other winners were announced at the annual lunch, which was held at the Beasley Center.

Steve Carter, manager of Athens Gas Department, won the Public Servant Award.

Presenter Shane Black, local attorney, described Carter as an outstanding servant of the people in this community.

The Chamber of Commerce Public Servant Award recognizes excellence at all levels of public service in the following categories: excellence in service delivery; excellence in policy and valuing and supporting people. Those who were eligible for nomination were: employees of the city, county or state and federal employees assigned duty stations in Limestone County (elected official are excluded); and private citizens who are permanent residents and who have been active participants and made significant contributions to public agencies, on a voluntary basis, and that seek the improvement of the quality of government at all levels.

Mark Zirbel, owner of Calvin’s Cleaners, was recognized as the Business Person of the Year.

“I don’t know what to say,” Zirbel said.

He said there was no way he could have done this without his employees and his mother and father.

“The Chamber has been important to me,” he said.

The Business Person of the Year Award is based on an individual’s outstanding achievement, leadership, loyalty and dedication to his or her profession and to the business community of Athens-Limestone County. To be eligible, the nominee must be a member of the Chamber of Commerce and in business in Athens-Limestone County for a minimum of five years.

The last award given out at the luncheon was to Richard Martin was recognized for his achievements in tourism in the area. He was the Tourism Award.

Martin has played an important role in such projects as the Antebellum Trail and Rails to Trails.

“We got a lot of assets in the county,” Martin said.

“He’s always busy with one project or another,” said Jeanette Rich in announcing the award.

Rich is the tourism director for the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce.