Chaplain David Vernon of Valencia, California, a longtime Southern California business owner, was recently honored with Marketplace Chaplains’ highest award, the 2011 Chaplain of the Year.
Vernon, 58, who was accompanied by his wife Peggy Jo, received the honor during a company and clients gathering in Asheville, North Carolina.
“I am so honored that they have given me a place to serve,” Vernon said about the surprise announcement. “I’m overwhelmed.”
Vernon has a business degree from Cal-State Fullerton and still owns his own business he started more than 30 years ago, Data MicroImaging. He also received a theological degree from Fullerton Seminary and began serving as a Marketplace Chaplain three and a half years ago.
Potential Chaplain of the Year candidates are nominated by their respective client companies and then chosen by the Marketplace Chaplains Executive Nominations Committee.
Vernon was presented the Divine Servant sculpture by noted artist Max Griner, and a check for $500 from Marketplace Chaplains President and COO Dick De Witt.
“We are so delighted to honor our chaplains as each one serves with excellence,” De Witt said in presenting the award to Vernon. David’s heart of care, poise and professionalism is a wonderful reflection of every member of the Marketplace family as we serve employees and their family members around the clock.
Vernon works at several Marketplace client companies in the Southern California area and is also active in his local church.
Among the many nominations for Vernon, there were those that read, “he walks with every person in the plant,” “he restores hope,” “he has walked us through tough times.”
President De Witt said Vernon’s honor was exemplified in the 3E’s of Marketplace Chaplains’ 2,600 chaplain caregivers - Engage, Empower and Encourage.
For more information on this fast-growing corporate strategic initiative, Marketplace Chaplains, which has been featured on the front page of USA Today and recently spotlighted on the NBC Nightly News and CNN (Cable News Network), visit www.mchapusa.com; call their toll-free number at 1-800-775-7657; or contact Art Stricklin, VP of Media Relations, at artstricklin@mchapusa.com.
