Barbershopper Of The Year – Cape Fear Chordsmen

2020 – Ken Thomas

The following introduction of our 2020 Barbershopper of the year, was written and delivered by the 2019 BOTY, Louis Petroni:

This year’s nomination for the BOTY award was born and raised in Fayetteville, NC in 1959. His parents were both retired military and came from large families, which they apparently had enough of since he is their only child. After graduating high school, he attended East Carolina University with a focus on Partying in Education! However he did manage to get back on track after transferring to UNCW where he graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Once college was completed, Ken liked Wilmington so much he stayed.

He has been happily married to his wife Deb for 20 years and blessed with a blended family, of 2 daughters and a son from both partners previous marriages, 4 beautiful granddaughters who affectionately dubbed him with the name of “Pooh-Pa”.

Pooh-Pa’s been employed by Verizon Wireless since they first opened in Wilmington nearly 16 years ago. Through Verizon, he took the opportunity to attend Strayer University and obtain his Master’s Degree.

When it comes to anything Barbershop or photography, he is highly passionate and devoted. He enjoys helping others and always has a heart of gold. Sometimes in trying to help, (quote) “he can make things more complicated” (not my words)…but he always means well! He enjoys talking to anyone that will listen, especially on the phone! He loves his family and friends and will go above and beyond for them.

Tonight I give you the 2020 recipient of the Barbershopper of the Year Award, none other than Ken Thomas!

At the end of each year, a “Barbershopper of the Year” is selected. Candidates for this honor must meet the following criteria:

Must be an active member of the Cape Fear Chordsmen
Must have performed outstanding action(s) for the betterment of the chapter
Any active member who has NOT received the BOTY award the previous five (5) years is eligible for this award

The selection committee consists of the Active award recipients who are available with the second most recent recipient serving as chairman of the committee. The presenter should be the committee chairman or his designee.

THE WORK OF THE SELECTION COMMITTEE SHOULD BE CONFIDENTIAL TO PROVIDE AN ELEMENT OF SURPRISE FOR THE RECIPIENT.

Previous Years

* Denotes deceased member

** No Longer Affiliated/Moved/Transferred/Quit

1997 – Paul Parker*

1998 – Don Schmitt

1999 – Dave Hogin*

2000 – Tom Head*

2001 – Wally Bader*

2002 – Bob Clark (2)

2003 – Andre Pronko**

2004 – Ed Owens

2005 – Larry Reinhart

2006 – Richard Millard

2007 – Tom Martyn

2008 – Andre Brillaud**

2009 – Roger Hawkins**

2010 – Jim Bader

2011 – Roy Holzwarth

2012 – Arnold Cosby

2013 – Joe Loughlin**

2014 – R. Manley Lucas

2015 – Larry Hunt**

2016 – Douglas Wick

2017 – Don Smith*

2018 – Jim Boyd

2019 – Louis Petroni

2020 – Ken Thomas

2021

2022

2023

2024