ROGERS -- Johnelle Hunt was honored not once, but twice Friday at the annual Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce banquet at the John Q. Hammons Center.

The highest community award in Lowell, the Elbert S. Graham/Elza Tucker Award was presented to Brian Watson, owner of Collision Connection in Lowell, for his community service.

Hunt was honored for all she, her late husband J.B. Hunt and Hunt Ventures have done for Northwest Arkansas.

"They have forever changed the face of our community," said Sarah Collins, chamber vice president of government affairs.

Near the end of the banquet, Hunt received a standing ovation when it was announced she also was the recipient of the Dick Trammel Good Neighbor Award, the highest community honor in Rogers.

Trammel, an Arkansas Highway commissioner, greeted Hunt at the stage ramp and escorted her to center stage.

"Mrs. Hunt you have touched so many lives in so many ways," said Matt Crafton, president of Crafton Tull engineering firm and retiring chamber president.

"Mrs. Hunt and Hunt Ventures have invested more than $1 billion in the square mile known as the Pinnacle region in Rogers. Her company also spent millions of dollars for infrastructure around the Pinnacle Hills Promenade shopping center and the west side of Interstate 540 where the J.B. Hunt building is located. She donated land for the Arkansas Music Pavilion as well as land for the Pauline Whitaker Parkway," Crafton said.

"Her philanthropic passion has always been for young people and the health care system. She likes to keep a low profile but she is an amazing woman and she has done more for Rogers and Lowell than most people know," he added.

Third District Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., who was Rogers mayor in 2003 and worked with the Hunts when they were considering building Pinnacle Hills Promenade, praised Hunt and her late husband for their contributions to Northwest Arkansas.

"It is their vision and leadership that made Pinnacle Hills Promenade happen. When J.B. passed away in 2007 Johnelle could have quit and had sand between her toes on any beach she wanted. She didn't quit. She kept going and made things happen," Womack said.

"Lowell and Northwest Arkansas have been good to us," Hunt said as she accepted her award.

"Johnny was driving a truck in Little Rock in the 1960s and made a stop in Northwest Arkansas. He came home and told me that one day we would move to Northwest Arkansas. It took a few years but we made it," Hunt said.

Somebody asked Johnny why he bought land in Lowell, she said.

"He told the man it was the only place he could afford to buy land," Hunt joked.

"I thank you so much for this award. We love you and we are going to keep going," she added.

Clark Ellison, vice president of the Mercy Foundation, agrees Hunt has contributed heavily to the health care industry in the area.

"She donated $5 million when we were just starting on the new hospital. On Thursday, Mrs. Hunt help turn the first shovel of dirt at the ground breaking of Mercy Hospital's newest clinic in Centerton. She donated the land for the clinic which will carry her and her husband's name, the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Campus," Ellison said.

Additionally, the $5 million has great longevity as a gift, Ellison said. "The money allows us to donate $22 million in health care services to those less fortunate."

"She has made a tremendous impact on the Northwest Arkansas health care system," she added.

Watson, the Lowell award winner, has many fine qualities, said Leo Cruz, president of Lowell's Kiwanis Club.

"I was shaking all over when they called my name," Watson said. "I'm pleased and happy to accept the award."

Watson admitted he wasn't planning on coming to the banquet.

"I had to drag him here," said his wife as she used her cellphone to take a photo of Brian and the award.

The crystal award will have a place of honor in his body shop, Brian added with big smile.

"He's a down to earth kind of guy, a good father and a good role model for children," Cruz said. "He's honest and giving person. He's the one that came up with the idea of giving away a car, filled with groceries to someone in need. Our club thought is was good idea and have gave one car away each year, Cruz said.

Watson is also a past president of the Lowell Kiwanis Club, Cruz added.

J.P. Barnett, vice president of commercial lending for the Arvest Bank in Lowell, had equally glowing words for Watson.

"Brian is a great guy and a super dad to his boys. He's a quiet guy who doesn't seek the spotlight, but is very involved in the community. He's a young man and cares a great deal for people," Barnett said.

"Brian is a wonderful, giving person," said Bette Tatum, a member of the Kiwanis club. "He deserves any award he may get. He goes above and beyond to help people less fortunate and he always treats everybody with respect and kindness."

NW News on 03/15/2014