Gracious acceptance speeches and jokes aplenty created an Oscar night atmosphere at the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce’s 18th annual Denim and Diamonds Awards banquet Saturday.

The chamber named Lakeway Police Chief Todd Radford as 2009 Citizen of the Year, and Businesses of the Year Point of Origin and Zbranek Custom Homes took home honors during a night of sophistication mixed with a down-home Western vibe at Lakeway Resort and Spa.

Many award-winners said the honors should be credited to their teams of employees and volunteers who form the basis not only for excellence but also for giving to the community.
Radford said the Citizen of the Year award reflected the vision he has laid out for his staff of officers and civilians at Lakeway Police Department and the degree that they have followed it.
“To the citizens of Lakeway, I am so blessed with an opportunity to serve you and to be a leader of an organization that is turning a corner,” he said. “It is showing its professionalism. It’s regaining its respect. It’s striving to do brand new things.”
The 21-year veteran of law enforcement was a senior deputy sheriff for Travis County, an associate training specialist at Texas AandM University and sergeant investigator-training coordinator at the Texas Attorney General’s Office before serving as a lieutenant at the Lakeway Police Department since February 2007.
He is working toward a doctorate in psychology with a specialization in organizational leadership and holds a master’s degree in strategic leadership and bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration.
The police chief also travels around the country to conduct leadership courses for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Austin Police Department and Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
He also serves as a Sunday school teacher of 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds at Lake Hills Church in Bee Cave.
His efforts to strengthen community relations since he replaced former Police Chief Gordon Bowers in November 2009 drew praise from those who nominated him and chamber officials who voted for him.
“Todd has demonstrated passion and commitment to making our community a better place to live, work and play. Chief Todd is approachable, kind, and strives to bridge the gap between local government and the residents of this community. He’s a leader this community can be proud of,” the nomination form stated.
As he accepted the award he thanked his wife, Rita, for her support as he has taken the reins of the police department.
“I am truly humbled and grateful to receive such an award. The Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce represents the many businesses in our area and the many people that work every day to make this area a better place to live, learn, work and play. So to be singled out is an honor and indicates the type of community oriented police executive that the community desires and the type of professional agency that they deserve,” he said.
The chamber recognized professionalism and community service by awarding Zbranek Custom Homes with the Business of the Year award for companies with six or more employees.
Zbranek Custom Homes stood out for its donation of more than $150,000 in proceeds from the sale of one of its Rough Hollow custom homes to the Lake Travis Youth Association after a credit card company defrauded LTYA.
Co-owner Steve Zbranek also cited the founding of Leadership Lake Travis, a chamber program that he chaired in its inaugural year.
“We are really excited by [the award],” said co-owner Steve Zbranek who also is president of the Homebuilders Association of Greater Austin. “When we heard that the companies were also nominated we thought any of them would be deserving. We were really surprised and proud when they called our name.”
The National Association of Homebuilders named the company its 2010 National Master Builder of the Year at its national convention in Las Vegas.
Point of Origin employee Patti Brown accepted the Business of the Year award for companies with one to five employees on behalf of owner Jaime Bush who was stuck in a plane Saturday night on a Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport tarmac.
When Brown called to relay the good news, Bush’s shrieks of joy pierced the cabin’s dull silence.
“I was the one being loud on the phone and kind of screaming,” Bush said.
The gift shop at Lohman’s Crossing Center organized the inaugural Bail Out for the local food bank and has supported local businesses and causes.
“Obviously it is a huge honor,” Bush said of the award Monday. “I thank our raving fans and all our customers who support us every day. I couldn’t do it by myself; it’s the employees of the store and the Point of Origin family that helps.”
Dogadillo Dog Boutique’s table unleashed a chorus of yips and howls when owners Lauren and Mike Conrad accepted Young Business of the Year (1-5 employees).
“This is one award that’s really gone to the dogs,” Mike Conrad joked.
Papa Murphy’s Pizza franchise owners Bridget and Michael Bertram encouraged everyone to give to their community as they won Young Business of the Year (six-plus employees).
“This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, but it’s also been the most rewarding,” Bridget Bertram said. “What you give is what you give back.”
Lake Travis Thrift Shop manager Jayne Meyer described herself as a coordinator of other people’s kindnesses and credited the shop’s volunteers as she received the Unsung Hero award.
Bee Cave Rotarians took home the Shining Star award for projects that included helping an elderly Apache Shores resident with her home maintenance and air conditioning unit, conducting food drives, donating $1,000 to Lake Travis Crisis Ministries, providing backpacks full of school supplies for schoolchildren and sending 10 children to Friends of Refugees summer camp.
Kardivas claimed the Rising Star award for its work as an after-school club that fosters positive character traits in Lake Travis ISD fifth- and sixth-grade girls that will carry them through their formative years into adulthood.
The organization’s projects include Hearts for Johnny, a fund-raiser that collected more than $1,800 to help pay for medical expenses of late LTISD student Johnny Barnett.
Kardivas also raised money for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and donated to American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders work in Haiti.
The year’s top chamber ambassador and volunteer of the year, Jaimie Baillie, was out of town, but her husband, Brian Baillie, accepted the awards on her behalf.
The chamber also recognized Beth Byer for her contributions as past chair of the board of directors.