Citizen of the Year - Sheryl Cheely receives her well-deserved award from former employer and long-time friend Bob Dema. Cheely was nominated for 2008 Citizen of the Year for her years of dedicated service to the community.

Community Servant Sheryl Cheely Named Chamber’s 2008 “Citizen of the Year”

Sheryl Cheely is a well-known and well-respected member of the Great Bend community. For her outstanding efforts in service and leadership, Cheely earned the award of “Citizen of the Year” during the 87th Annual Great Bend Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Banquet held Feb. 14 at the Highland Convention Center in Great Bend.

Every year, the Chamber recognizes outstanding service by an individual who contributes to the quality of life in Great Bend. Cheely exemplifies the nature of this award in so many ways. Cheely graduated from Great Bend High School in 1971, and then from Fort Hays State University in 1975. With a degree in business administration and computer sciences and a minor in accounting, Cheely was a perfect fit at CPI Qualified Plan Consultants where she started in 1976. Throughout her tenure with CPI, Cheely earned several professional designations, including Accredited Pension Administrator and Qualified Plan Administrator. In over 25 years of service at CPI, Cheely wore several hats, including Senior Vice President and President. In 2003, Cheely resigned from CPI in order to dedicate more time to the organizations she volunteers with.

Cheely has been active with the Prairie Enterprise Project, with Central Kansas Development Inc., is a former chairman for the Chamber board of directors, and serves on the Board for the Golden Belt Community Foundation. In addition, she was also very implemental in launching Central Kansas Jobs and the Human Resources Roundtable group, two instrumental services that the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce now maintains for local businesses. But even more praiseworthy than all of the wonderful things that Cheely has done and is doing with these organizations is her commitment and expertise in helping revitalize Great Bend’s downtown. By donating endless hours of her time and immeasurable amounts of energy, Cheely’s efforts in helping open ten new businesses through MyTown LP speak volumes of her character and of her heart for this community.