
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 1, 1993                   TAG: 9312010358
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN                                LENGTH: Medium

PULASKI CHAMBER TO HONOR LAWYERS

Robert J. Ingram was named Business Executive of the Year by the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce at its 1993 membership meeting and banquet Tuesday night.

The chamber also gave a special award to Philip M. Sadler for his work in the community over the years.

Both men are members of the Pulaski law firm of Gilmer, Sadler, Ingram, Sutherland and Hutton.

Ingram, a graduate of the Washington and Lee University School of Law, joined the firm 36 years ago. He previously had served for three years as a trial lawyer in the U.S. Army.

In 1989, Woodward & White named him as one of ``The Best Lawyers in America'' in its publication of that title.

Despite a busy work schedule, Ingram also has been active in the community and with the chamber over a long period. Twenty-five years ago, he secured one of the more nationally-prominent banquet speakers the chamber has had - TV newsman Roger Mudd, who had been a student with Ingram at W&L.

Sadler, who will retire from law practice Dec. 31 and move to Charlottesville, was president of the Pulaski County chamber in 1955. He also has been chairman of the Virginia Bar Association, chairman of the county School Board, and was instrumental in establishing the Pulaski Free Clinic and working with such agencies as New River Community Action Agency, Habitat for Humanity, Daily Bread, March of Dimes, Heart Association, Tuberculosis Association and Pulaski YMCA. He received his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1947.

The chamber presented its annual Excellence Award for 1993 to Gena Hanks, executive secretary in the office of the Pulaski County administrator.

Hanks started working there in 1977 as a high school student, and became a full-time employee in 1978. Her duties include preparing agendas for meetings of the county Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and working with other agencies, including the chamber.

Other awards included top fund-raising solicitor, which went to Marty Hall, and top member solicitor, which went to Linda Jones.

The chamber held its banquet at New River Community College. This year's speaker was W. Hudson Connery, senior vice president and chief operating officer for HealthTrust Inc.

by CNB