Privileged and humbled.
Those are two words Robert Chavez used when explaining what he felt when he was honored as the Odessa Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 Entrepreneur of the Year.
Chavez received the entrepreneur of the year award, while Troy Chesnut, Larry Molinar, Bill Nyborg and Liz Shelton were inducted into the Odessa Chamber of Commerce’s Business Hall of Fame.
During his speech, Chavez — the owner of Permian Machinery Movers, Inc. — said he wanted to make a living for his family and he said by doing so he helped others provide a living for their respective families.
“It puts a responsibility on us,” Chavez said. “We have to do more for the city. We have to do more for the chamber. We have to serve more. We have to help more.”
The 2022 Entrepreneur of the Year and Business Hall of Fame Luncheon took place Thursday at the Odessa Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.
This was the 33rd Odessa Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year award as Chavez joins the other 36 inductees, while the business hall of fame has 151 inductees.
Austin Keith, president of Pinkie’s, Inc. and 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year honoree, served as master of ceremonies and he explained the criteria of being selected as entrepreneur of the year includes innovation in service, showing imagination and creativity, growth in revenue, positive response to adversity and sustained success. Chesnut is the owner of Troy Chesnut, Inc., Molinar is the owner of NTACT Operations, LLC, Nyborg is the owner of Southwestern Machine Products and Shelton is the owner of Smith Commercial Properties.
Shelton, after the luncheon, said she is more comfortable making a difference behind the scenes rather than being in the spotlight. She explained that being inducted into the business hall of fame has shined more of a light on her.
“I love working behind the scenes,” she said with a smile. “… I want to be the cook in the kitchen.”
All four of the business hall of fame inductees received a plaque from the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, a Texas flag, letter of congratulation from United State Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), Texas State Senator Kel Seliger, Congressman August Pfluger (R-San Angelo), Gov. Greg Abbott, State Rep. Brooks Landgraf and the City of Odessa.
Chavez also received letters of recognition from Cruz, Cornyn, Pfluger, Seliger and Abbott. Landgraf was in attendance and spoke about the work that Chavez and his family has been doing in the Permian Basin for the last 41 years. Landgraf also gave Chavez an American flag that flew over the Texas Capitol.
“Chavez embodies the spirit that defines Odessa,” Landgraf said during the luncheon.
Chavez was also given a proclamation from the City of Odessa that was presented to him by his cousin and District 1 councilman Mark Matta.
During his speech, Chavez cracked jokes and told stories, which included him admitting that he once asked Chesnut for a job, got turned down and Chavez said “Now, he regrets it.” That received a round of laughter from the audience.
Chavez explained in his final thoughts that “When you are occupied doing something that you love, good things can happen.”
Shelton shared a similar sentiment after the luncheon where she doesn’t think about retirement.
“You can’t be bad at something you love,” Shelton said. “You will look forward to getting up every morning. You won’t ever count the days until you retire. The r-word is history in my book.”
