Mickey Dunn, president and CEO of ML Industries, is set to deliver the keynote address during this year’s Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce annual meeting and dinner.

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Today is the deadline for chamber members to submit nominations for the 2012 Citizen of the Year, set to be announced during the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce.

This year’s meeting gets under way at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24, at Cross Creek Country Club.

Chamber President Betty Ann Collins said numerous nominations have already been received, but she hopes more arrive before today’s deadline.

“We already have several nominations, and are hoping we receive many, many more, because there are a lot of deserving people in our community who need to be recognized,” she said.

According to Membership and Communications Director Tanya Taylor, nominees should be residents intent on making a difference in the community.

“Nominees should have clearly demonstrated leadership and hard work that have made Surry County a better place in which to live and work,” she said. “Careers of the nominees should be in the areas of business, industry and public service.”

Executives or employees of non-profit organizations are not eligible, Taylor added. In addition, elected officials, candidates for elected office and individuals who have previously held elected office are not eligible.

Nominations can be made by completing the official nomination form, available through the Chamber of Commerce, and attaching a narrative of no more than two pages summarizing how the nominee meets the criteria and deserves the recognition.

All nominations must include the name and phone numbers of both the nominee and the person making the nomination.

They should be sent to: Citizen of the Year, Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 913, Mount Airy, NC 27030.

They can be faxed to 786-1488, or via email at president1@mtairyncchamber.org.

This year’s annual meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with a networking social that will last until 6:45 p.m.

The dinner and program will begin at 6:45 p.m., according to Collins.

The keynote speaker this year will be Mickey Dunn, president and CEO of ML Industries.

Dunn, Collins said, has been able to transform a 20-person company he purchased in 1990 as a cut and sew manufacturer for the apparel industry into a major supplier of air bags for the automotive industry.

She said Dunn and her husband met when he worked as a contractor for Greensboro-based VF Corp.

And he has a story to tell.

“In 2009, during the deepest part of the recession, ML Industries made the decision to purchase two additional plants, more equipment and hire over 1,000 new associates,” she said. “(Those at the chamber meeting) will learn how (Dunn) transformed the company he incorporated in 1990 to produce apparel into one of North America’s fastest-growing suppliers to the automotive industry.

“During a time when most people are feeling the economic crunch, he has continued to find a way to succeed. He has an incredible story to tell,” Collins added. “Running a business is not an easy thing to do, but he’s overcome every obstacle that has been placed before him.”

Tickets for the dinner are $50 per person, and can be purchased through the chamber. For more information, call 786-6116.

Reach Keith Strange at kstrange@civitasmedia.com or 719-1929.