Winning the first ever Hall of Fame Award during the 13th Annual Idaho State Journal Business and Achievement Awards banquet Wednesday night was music to Susan Mann’s ears — and she knows her music.

    Mann was a music teacher at Blackfoot High School for 27 years and serves as the programming director for the Blackfoot Performing Arts Center. Her award, as were all other awards, was co-sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance and the Blackfoot and Pocatello chambers of commerce. Idaho State Journal publisher Andy Pennington served as master of ceremonies.

    “I was totally speechless,” Mann said after accepting her award. “It’s unbelievable.”

    Though the honor may have surprised Mann, it shouldn’t have. With the help of her music students, Mann spearheaded the development of the performing arts center at Blackfoot High School back in 1994. Through performances and other fundraisers, the students raised $100,000 as seed money for the project. Ultimately, Blackfoot voters approved a $7 million bond issue to build the facility which opened in 2007.

    This year the center hosted events 300 different days and operated in the black.

    “Our goal is to be the friendliest performing arts center they ever visit,” Mann said about those attending events.

    Her husband, Danny Mann, who is the wildland fire education coordinator for Three Rivers RC&D, said her award was well deserved.

    “She’s such a hard worker,” Danny said. “She’s always giving.”

    Another big award winner on the night was longtime Pocatello car dealer, Phil Meador, who took home the Retail and Service Award for 2012.

    Despite the recession, Meador expanded his business and took over Courtesy Ford, Lincoln.

    “I didn’t look at the trends,” Meador said. “It was an opportunity and we have enough faith in Pocatello and our business practices.”

    In addition to his business savvy, Meador contributes to many civic activities including the annual Biggest Show in Idaho July Fourth fireworks and a program that gives free bicycles to every student in the area who has perfect school attendance for a year.

    “I was surprised,” Meador said about his selection. “I join some terrific people.”

    The biggest laugh of the evening came when Debra Hemmert, the director of SEICAA, received her award for Non-profit/Government.

    “I have one question for the Journal,” she said about a picture of her that appeared in a preview story about the awards banquet on Tuesday. “Where did you find that photo? I opened the paper this morning and went “whoa.’”

    Other award winners for 2012 were: John Bob, Simplot Don Plant manager – Industry/Technology; James Denton, principal of Tyhee Elementary – Education K-12; Herb Maschner, director of the ISU Museum of Natural History – Education University; Joselin Matkins, executive director of Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust – Extraordinary Under 40; Jody Lewis, site leader at All State Insurance Idaho Call Center – Professional; and DaNae Young, organizer of the Spinderella Women’s Bicycle Race – Volunteer Award.