Having a job that allows her to interact with the Bowling Green business community and local nonprofits is reward enough for Bowling Green Municipal Utilities Marketing Coordinator Shelley Lowe, so Tuesday’s Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Excellence Awards Luncheon was a bonus.

Lowe was presented with the Athena Young Professional of the Year Award at the luncheon attended by nearly 300 chamber members and supporters at the National Corvette Museum. She joined Administrative Professional of the Year Award winner Valerie Russell of Ment Cowork as honorees at the event.

“I have the best job ever because I get to interact with the community,” Lowe said. “A lot of jobs don’t allow that.”

Lowe’s community involvement includes volunteering for LifeSkills, Bowling Green/Warren County Crime Stoppers, the Leadership Bowling Green Alumni Association and Junior Achievement.

“When I started at BGMU I realized that everybody there volunteers in some capacity,” she said. “I enjoy that, and I have learned a lot about the nonprofit world over the years.”

Excellence Awards Co-Chair Lindsey McClain, herself a past Athena Award winner, said Lowe stood out from a large group of nominees for the award that recognizes an area young woman who has emerged as a leader, demonstrates excellence and provides valuable service to her business, profession and community.

“Shelley is an outstanding individual who has a kind heart and is very giving,” McClain said. “All of our Athena winners fit that mold. We’re excited to have her join the group.

“She faces adversity and is able to take every situation and make the best of it.”

That theme of overcoming adversity was echoed in the winner of the Administrative Professional of the Year Award.

Russell has been administrative assistant at Ewing Ford Properties for more than two years and recently added extra duties when Ewing Ford owner JD Haase started Ment Cowork.

“It has been a challenge,” Russell said. “There has definitely been a learning curve with the coworking space. I just try to view the company as if it’s my own.”

In an email, Haase said of Russell: “Her positive energy is contagious no matter the situation. It is so fitting that she would win this award on a day that would have been challenging for most anyone. Those attending the luncheon today witnessed what we witness every day at Ewing Ford Properties.

“Valerie and her family had just learned of some not-so-good news; yet she put a smile on and went to the luncheon as if everything was normal. This is the person that she is each and every day, and we are blessed to have her on our team.”

– More information about the chamber’s Excellence Awards can be found at bg chamber.com.