More than 900 people are gathered recently for the Kenney Awards, the annual awards dinner of the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce, celebrating the accomplishments of members of the central Maine business community. A photograph of the staff of College Carry-Out, the Small Business of the Year honoree, is seen on a large screen at the Paul G. Poulin Auditorium at the Augusta Civic Center. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

AUGUSTA — Business professionals from across the Kennebec Valley honored their own members by popular vote at the recent Kenney Awards, the annual awards banquet of the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce that drew more than 900 people.

Following live voting at the event at the Augusta Civic Center, the Capitol Area Recreation Association earned the President’s Circle Award. Kents Hill School and the United Way of Kennebec Valley were also nominated.

Anne Valle-Lachance received the Community Service Award. Merry St. Pierre and Corey Vose were also nominated.

Emily Theriault received the Cynergy Professional Award. David Farago and Ryan Hill were also nominated.

Before the annual awards event, Roger Pomerleau received the Peter G. Thompson Lifetime Award Achievement Award, Hancock Lumber was named Large Business of the Year and College Carry-Out was named Small Business of the Year.