Dale LeBaron Memorial Award presented to Adam Holder posthumously

The Greater Freeport Partnership held its Annual dinner Oct. 27. Members were updated on what the group accomplished throughout the year and their focus in 2023.

They also highlighted the accomplishments of others with annual awards for businesses and people who have made significant contributions to the community. Among them was the Dale LeBaron Memorial Award, given posthumously to Fehr Graham owner and Professional Engineer Adam Holder, who died in January. The award was accepted on behalf of Holder's family by Fehr Graham Project Manager-Client Operations Darin Stykel, who was a close friend.

"Adam was a significant part of what we do every day and a very large part of the community," Stykel said in his acceptance speech. "Today actually marks nine months since Adam has passed, and while he was not with us in most of 2022, I would view this as a lifetime achievement award for how much Adam meant to the community since he came back from college. ... Those who knew him best and called him friend would say he is the epitome of selflessness and service to our community, his friends and also his family."

Fehr Graham was a gold sponsor of the event.