NEWS RELEASE

March 1 , 2007

Contact: Ryan Entz, 268-1152

Pizza Hut founder to be awarded April 17 at Honors Night 2007, presented by Artisan Surface Systems, a division of Wilson Building Maintenance Inc.

Wichita, KS- The Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce continues its long tradition of celebrating Wichita’s outstanding citizens, companies and achievements with Honors Night 2007. The 2007 honorees represent those who’ve championed efforts to improve the community.

Dan Carney’s relentless commitment to community has earned him this year’s UNCOMMON CITIZEN AWARD. This award, established in 1974, recognizes individuals that have given of themselves to serve their community in an extraordinary capacity. This award is given for individual effort year after year in making outstanding contributions to the civic and cultural institutions that are the foundation of Wichita today.

“Uncommon” is a word that fits Dan Carney well. Not only has he proven himself a tremendous entrepreneur, but a tremendous person as well. As one of twelve children, Dan developed an incredible work ethic early on—one that would eventually help him turn his dreams of developing a successful business franchise into reality.

Pizza Hut’s “all-American success story” of two brothers who borrowed six hundred dollars and developed an empire has inspired countless entrepreneurs. But perhaps even more inspiring is the story of Dan’s devotion to community service. He has served on more than 20 charitable boards and has been a quiet major donor to many charities. And although he’s been involved in the Guadalupe Clinic, Harbor House, The Lord’s Diner, Boys and Girls Club and Big Brothers/Big Sisters, he still has time to devote to his true love—the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation (CPRF).

Dan and his childhood friend Jack Jonas founded CPRF in 1972, and Dan has been chairman of the board since its inception. CPRF has improved the lives of

thousands of people and one young man who benefited from Dan’s work once

told him, “Dan, all these people think you are going to be remembered for starting Pizza Hut, but the real thing you’re going to be remembered for is helping all of us.”

Dan Carney truly fulfills the requirements of the Chamber’s “Uncommon Citizen” award. He’s made incredible contributions to the Wichita community, has been highly involved in organizations unrelated to his business interests, and his moral character could perhaps be summed up in the words of longtime friend and CPRF board member Ken Wagnon who said, “Dan has enthusiastically and selflessly given his time, his leadership, his wealth, and has done a marvelous job.”              

Honors Night 2007 will be held Thursday, April 17 at Beech Activity Center, 9710 E. Central. Tickets are now available and include dinner, award recognition and a reception. The cost is $75 per person or $600 for a table of eight. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner begins at 6:30

To help honor Dan Carney and other outstanding honorees contact Cindy Reves at 265-7771 or creves@wichitachamber.org.

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