Patterson is Board Member of the Year

Outgoing chamber chairman Larry Rich presents Anthony Patterson with the Outstanding Board Member of the Year Award. (Democrat photo / Samantha Martin)

Anthony Patterson, 32, isn't a board member of the Trumann Chamber of Commerce because he enjoys any prestige it might bring. Rather, he sees it as an opportunity to bless others as he has been blessed. It was because of this selfless attitude of service that Patterson was named the Outstanding Chamber Board member at the chamber's banquet Feb. 19.

"Anthony is willing to step up when needed and help anyone at any time," said Larry Rich, outgoing board chairman who presented Patterson with the award. "I have a great deal of respect for him. He loves Trumann, and he has a vision to make things happen."

A native of Newport, Patterson felt a special call on his life from an early age. When he was only 16 he attended the Arkansas Institute of Ministry, and he became a licensed minister at age 20.

"I enjoy giving back," Patterson said, who was adopted at birth. "I was offered a lot of things in life and given a lot of good opportunities."

Patterson graduated from Newport High School in 1994 and graduated from Arkansas State University with a bachelor's degree in finance with an emphasis in banking.

"I wanted a job where I didn't have to work nights and weekends and where I could be very involved in the community," Patterson said. "Banking was the perfect fit."

Patterson and his wife Stephanie, a Trumann native, met at church youth camps. They have been married for 12 years and have three children: Kaytlin, 11; Spencer, nine; and Adrianna, seven.

In 1996, Patterson became pastor of Healing Hands Community Church in Trumann where he still pastors today.

Patterson said the people of Trumann welcomed him with open arms.

"Trumann is a wonderful town," Patterson said. "It is a good place to live and a great place to raise a family and make friends."

As the chamber's new chairman of the board, Patterson is challenging both chamber members and citizens to become excited about their community.

"We've got to look at the positive things in our community and show others what we have to offer," he said.

See next week's edition for a story about Patterson's goals for the chamber.