Kent Kokomoor has retail in his blood so much that he had to come back after his first business closed.

The current owner of Elite Collegiate Apparel — and former owner of SBX — was recognized with two Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce awards on Saturday.

Kokomoor received the Outstanding Customer Service and Greg Kegler Volunteerism awards.

He said the community is responsible for him not giving up and getting back into the business after SBX closed.

“People in the Bowling Green community approached me on the street … and said you’ve got to reopen,” Kokomoor said in an interview after Saturday’s awards.

Kent Kokomoor, who owns Elite Collegiate Apparel, received the Greg Kegler Volunteerism award at Saturday’s Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce 2023 Annual Meeting Dinner and Awards. His business also received the Outstanding Customer Service award. (Debbie Rogers | Sentinel-Tribune)

SBX closed in April 2016 and Elite Collegiate Apparel opened in July 2017.

“It took me a year to figure things out, but I did,” Kokomoor said.

He recently handed out 7,000 free T-shirts when the Bowling Green State University women’s basketball team made it to the final four of the WNIT tournament this spring.

He’s been involved with the chamber’s holiday parade for five years. It’s his favorite volunteer activity, hands down.

“It’s so much fun. There’s a lot of work that goes into it, but the community just loves it,” Kokomoor said.

Not too far behind is the business expo, which was held this summer at the fairgrounds.

“We had so many vendors, and it didn’t take much to decide we’ll do it again next year,” he said.

Kokomoor said he was overwhelmed with the volunteer award.

“The Greg Kegler award — that one totally caught me off guard,” Kokomoor said. “I’m involved with a lot of things, but he was next level.”

The chamber recognized the best in the Bowling Green community at Saturday’s annual meeting dinner and awards. Havana Nights was held in the Lenhart Grand Ballroom on the Bowling Green State University campus.

Margie Harris, an instrumental member of Wood County Plays, which installed an inclusive playground at Carter Park last year, received the Outstanding Citizen of the Year, female, award.

Harris and her husband have three children, including one with special needs, and have been foster parents to eight children.

Having a child with special needs made a huge impact on her life, Harris said.

“It changed my path and life and my passion,” she said.

Harris urged everyone to visit the inclusive park.

“Take your kids, take your grandkids. It’s a wonderful addition to our Bowling Green community,” she said.

“She just sees a need and she goes and works on it,” said Lee Hakel, who was last year’s winner.

Harris also volunteers with First United Methodist Church and the church’s food pantry.

Brian Paskvan, a longtime past president of the Wood County District Public Library Board of Trustees, received the Outstanding Citizen of the Year, male, award.

“He is all about family and community,” said last year’s winner Bob Callecod.

An emotional Paskvan said he lives by the mantra: If you have the ability, you have the responsibility.

“I don’t do this because of recognition. … You just see a challenge that needs to be addressed and you go out there and make the place better,” he said.

Brian Paskvan, a longtime, past president of the Wood County District Public Library Board of Trustees, receives the Outstanding Citizen of the Year, male, award at Saturday’s Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce 2023 Annual Meeting Dinner and Awards. (Debbie Rogers | Sentinel-Tribune)

Paskvan has served on the boards and foundations of the chamber, American Cancer Society, Lutheran Homes/Genacross, Bridge Hospice, Rotary and TMACOG. Paskvan retired in 2016 after 30 years in higher education at the University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University and Owens Community College.

Wendy Headley, a Realtor with AA Green, received the Athena award, which celebrates the potential of all women to be valued members and leaders of the community and recognizes those who support them.

“We live in quite a community,” Headley said, adding that she and husband Thom, who are Falcon Flames, have two children who graduated from Bowling Green High School. “Even though we’re not ‘townies,’ it’s home.”

Wendy Headley receives the Athena award at Saturday’s Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce 2023 Annual Meeting Dinner and Awards. Headley is a Realtor and has volunteered with the Cocoon, Wood County Park District and the chamber. (Debbie Rogers | Sentinel-Tribune)

She acknowledged challenges in the Bowling Green community, including the division over building new schools.

“This village needs to stand together and become a community,” Headley said. “Take care of each other and give back.”

Last year’s Athena winner, Maria Simon, said that Headley always has a sincere smile and positive energy.

Headley, who received her state real estate license in 1988, has been a role model for others, and is a straight shooter, Simon said. She has volunteered for the Cocoon, Wood County Park District and the holiday parade.

Jason Miller, who is manager of human resources with the Wood County Committee on Aging and is very involved in the Kiwanis Club, was the 14th recipient of the Zeus Award, which honors a male individual who supports a culture that encourages women to achieve their full leadership potential.

“Choose to see the good in life,” Miller said. “Be kind.”

Jason Miller, receives the Zeus award at Saturday’s Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce 2023 Annual Meeting Dinner and Awards, is congratulated by family. He urged everyone to be kind and choose to do good. (Debbie Rogers | Sentinel-Tribune)

The I Love BG Award, which celebrates an individual or organization for their efforts in increasing the visibility and promotion of the city and improving the quality of life for Bowling Green residents, was awarded to Cheryl Windisch.

Windisch, who was surrounded by many family and friends on stage, as were many of Saturday’s award winners, said she was reluctantly leaving Bowling Green after living here most of her life.

A former teacher, Windisch has volunteered with the schools and greets visitors at the hospital. She also spearheaded a grief support group at her church, following the sudden passing of her husband, Paul.

Cheryl Windisch receives the I Love BG award at Saturday’s Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce 2023 Annual Meeting Dinner and Awards. Her passion for education and volunteer work with parks, schools and church were cited. (Debbie Rogers | Sentinel-Tribune)

Kabob It, which is owned by Zach and Kendra Baroudi received the Small Business of the Year award.

Kabob It is known for supporting fundraisers in the community. The Baroudis used a Kickstarter campaign and a chamber investor grant to bottle their products, which can be found in local grocery stores and farmers markets.

Kendra and Zach Baroudi, owners of Kabob It, received the Small Business of the Year award at Saturday’s Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce 2023 Annual Meeting Dinner and Awards. (Debbie Rogers | Sentinel-Tribune)

Matt Oestreich, Wood County auditor, and Jerry Anderson, the voice of BGSU Falcon basketball and a former television anchor, were the emcees for the evening. They kept things light with jokes about Bowling Green road construction and pickleball’s popularity.

Jason Miller, right, received the Zeus award at Saturday’s Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce 2023 Annual Meeting Dinner and Awards. Miller is manager of human resources with the Wood County Committee on Aging and is very involved in the Kiwanis Club. He is congratulated by Michael Penrod, director of the Wood County District Public Library, who is a past recipient. (Debbie Rogers | Sentinel-Tribune)