The Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce named David Quinn its 2009 Citizen of the Year in a surprise ceremony Dec. 10.

“I’m pretty surprised and overwhelmed, really, about the honor of this presentation,” Quinn said shortly after the ceremony.

A group consisting of Tomball Chamber President Bruce Hillegeist and past Citizens of the Year Mary Harvey, Ron Haffner, Judy Deyo, Stephen Hohl, Paul Michna and others dropped by Pecos Grilling Company and presented Quinn with the award.

Above, David Quinn (right) is congratulated by Tomball Chamber President Bruce Hillegeist (left) and 2008 Citizen of the Year Mary Harvey (center) during a ceremony Dec. 10.

Photo by Holly Dutton

In years past the Chamber would typically make the announcement of its Citizen of the Year at the annual Chairman’s Ball. However, two years ago the Chamber opted to make the announcement in December, prior to the Ball.

The Chamber stated in its Award Criteria that a candidate “shall have made voluntary contributions toward the benefit of the greater Tomball area community” in areas such as civic or community service, professional service, church involvement or Chamber of Commerce Service.

In addition, it was not mandatory that the winner be a member of the Chamber.

Quinn is a self-employed architect and is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the Tomball Rotary Club, the Chamber and is a past president of the Executive Board of Northwest Assistance Ministries.

He is currently serving his second term on the Tomball City Council.

Quinn is also a member of the Tomball Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, Chamber Board of Directors, volunteers at TOMAGWA and has in the past donated building design plans to numerous non-profit organizations.

He is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he is actively involved in youth ministries, the Men’s Club and Bible study.

Quinn said he was aware of his nomination, but surprised that he was named.

“I had heard that rumor and I was grinding my teeth because there are so many worthy people that haven’t had it (the award) yet,” Quinn said.

Among those who have won the award is Quinn’s wife, Lori Klein Quinn, who won the honor in 1993. The Quinn’s become the second husband and wife duo to win Citizen of the Year, joining former Mayor H.G. “Hap” Harrington (1990) and his wife, Shirley Klein Harrington (1982).

After being nominated by a Tomball resident, Quinn was chosen by a selection committee made up of past Citizens of the Year, the current and past two chairmen of the Chamber Board of Directors and four other members of the Board of Directors.

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