The Chanute Area Chamber of Commerce and Office of Tourism celebrated local award winners during their annual meeting on Thursday, Jan. 29.
Welcoming attendees was the previous Chamber president, Scott Cunningham. Recognizing the award winners was the 2025 Chamber Board President, Stacy Atherton.
“it is my honor to be able to present our annual awards this evening. The Chamber has long taken pride in recognizing those in our community who work to make our hometown the best it can be,” Atherton said.
The first award presented was for the Business of the Year.
“From a crushed chainsaw to a Kansas-made success story, our 2025 Business of the Year has the best story of how it all started,” Atherton said.
Kenny Finley was supporting his wife, Shannon, while she went back to college to get a degree in elementary education in 2013. He earned a supplemental income by cutting posts and firewood in addition to his day job as a senior claims adjuster.
“Shannon knew Kenny needed a commercial-grade chainsaw to support this additional work, so she scrimped and saved to purchase a new saw for him. Kenny was so excited to get this new luxury saw and immediately started using it,” Atherton said. “ Two weeks after Shannon gave it to him, he was out cutting and put the chainsaw in the bucket of his tractor like he always did to carry it around wherever he went to cut posts in the timber. He hit a pothole, and the chainsaw accidentally fell out of the bucket, and Kenny ran over it. He was very scared to come home that night and tell Shannon.”
Atherton said that Kenny started searching for a secure way to carry a chainsaw on his tractor, and found nothing on the market for that.
“So he decided to make something himself. He tinkered and tinkered and finally came up with an attachment that held his saw. After friends and family saw this innovative idea, they all wanted one, and then their friends and family wanted one. Hence, the SawHaul was born,” Atherton said. “ That simple problem in the woods and Kenny’s tinkering to create SawHaul has turned into Gear-Haul - an innovative, American- manufactured brand creating gear-carrying solutions for chainsaws, tools, buckets, fuel cans, phones, and more. Built and manufactured in Southeast Kansas, GearHaul products are now sold in all 50 states and 33 countries, serving the forestry, logging, outdoor power equipment, agriculture, and trades industries worldwide.”
Atherton noted that in 2020, Finley began to scale the business full-time.
“As the creator of GearHaul, Kenny has seized the opportunity to be involved in the future of manufacturing and employment. He has been an Executive Board Member for Kansas Works Region 5 for the past three years through the Kansas Dept of Commerce, and is a sitting Board Member for the Kansas Manufacturing Council, and was asked and accepted to be a liaison for the Kansas Retail Council from the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. The list of awards and recognition Kenny and Gear-Haul have received is quite impressive,” Atherton said.
The next award presented was the Community Investment Award.
“Our Community Investment Award honorees have a long history of investing in our community. From the early days of the husband and wife team working to make Chanute known for its medical and educational systems to the family currently supporting various activities and projects, the Mih family has definitely made a difference,” said Atherton.
He highlighted the involvement of Dr. Cathy Taylor and Dr. Alexander Mih, and their parents, throughout the Chanute Community.
“Dr. Cathy Taylor has practiced medicine in Chanute for more than 37 years, delivering thousands of babies and providing gynecological care. During her time off, she has been active in community theater, choir, and orchestra, while her husband, Larry Taylor, is a Chanute City Commissioner. Alison Guinotte Mih was heavily involved in the construction of this very building we are sitting in. Dr. Alexander Mih and his orthopedic skills bring people from all over to Chanute,” Atherton said. “It is our privilege to have the Mih family call Chanute their home and to give back so generously of their time, talents, and treasure. Thank you on behalf of the Chamber for all you do.”
The Extra Mile Award was a new award presented this year.
“The Chamber is fortunate to have many outstanding members who often answer our calls for assistance whether it be coupons, supporting events, or even just providing feedback. We thought it was time to recognize some of that effort with the new Extra Mile Award. The criteria stated the Extra Mile Award recognizes a business that consistently goes above and beyond to support our community,” Atherton said. “This business is always willing to say ‘yes’ — to donations, volunteering and active participation — showing an unwavering commitment to helping others. Through their generosity, involvement, and genuine care, they strengthen community connections and inspire everyone around them to work together, give back, and become better together.”
The award was presented to Sonic Drive-In of Chanute, recognizing Jeff Ports, as well as Travis and LaTicia Chance.
“We are pleased to announce the first recipient of this award is Sonic Drive-In of Chanute. From the work Jeff Ports did on our dues structure to Travis Chance chairing the annual golf tournament to the many coupons provided to visitors, the sponsorship of tonight’s charcuterie boards, and much more, they definitely go the extra mile whenever the Chamber asks,” Atherton said.
The final award was the Partner in Progress Award.
“Our 2025 Partner in Progress honoree grew up in Chanute, left for a while, but then came home to work in his family’s company.
That family business has grown under his leadership. It now employs 30 people and has expanded its customer base to include companies in many regions of the U.S. It is known for working with its employees to fit their family schedules while maintaining excellent customer service. Chanute is fortunate he chose to return home and continue this legacy.” The award was given to Scott Cunningham of ADI Inc., who is active in the Chanute community in many ways.
On Thursday, Jan. 29, the Chanute Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual meeting, and recognized several individuals and businesses for their success and dedication to the community. Top left: Business of the Year Awardee Kenny Finley, left, accepts his award from Chamber Board President Stacy Atherton, right. Top Right: Jeff Ports, left, accepts the Extra Mile Award from Stacy Atherton, right. Left: Also given the Extra Mile Award were Travis Chance, left, and LaTicia Chance, right. In the center is Atherton. Other awardees include Scott Cunningham, who was presented the Partner in Progress award for his continued dedication to the community of Chanute, and the Chanute Area Chamber of Commerce. Photos Courtesy of the Chanute Chamber of Commerce
“Any time I call on him to help with a parade, a computer problem, or really just anything, he always comes through. Main Street is grateful to have his support,” said Ruthann Boatwright, executive director of Main Street Chanute.
Jeff Baum said that Cunningham always goes out of his way to help with whatever needs to be done for any event, he is a true hero to the community, always donating his time and service to our community.
Cunningham’s work includes spearheading Chamber Trivia, volunteering for he annual gold tournament, participating in local theatre productions and community events, among other activities.
“Chanute is fortunate he chose to return to continue his family’s legacy and to help make his hometown stronger,” Atherton said.
