Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon
About The Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon
At the Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon, The Chamber recognizes loyal members, board members, and team leaders, as well as the recipients of the Community Citizen of the Year, Chamber Volunteer of the Year, Diplomat of the Year, Chamber Emerging Leader and Chairman’s Award.
Members of the Chamber submit nominations for three awards: Community Citizen of the Year, Chamber Volunteer of the Year and Chamber Emerging Leader.
The Chamber also honors a Legacy Award Recipient that has made a significant contribution to the betterment of The Woodlands Area and South Montgomery County. The Legacy award recipient is honored in recognition of their extraordinary personal commitment leaving a long-lasting impact on the community and future generations.
Sponsorship Opportunities: $500-$7,500
- Demonstrate your company's commitment to the legacy of The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce
- The audience in attendance includes community leaders, board members and general membership
- Estimated audience: 250
Contact: Cyndi Alvarado, Vice President of Membership
2025 Chamber Legacy Award Recipient
Mary Matteson-Parrish
Born in Ireland and educated in London, Mary Matteson immigrated to Boston in 1954. After years of working in the hospitality industry, in 1973, she moved to Houston with her husband Bob, an architect who was hired by George Mitchell to work on plans for a new community.  In 1974, they were one of the original 25 families to live in The Woodlands. Bob passed away in 1994 and in 2004 she married Norman Parrish.
Mary applied her experience in the hotel industry to her job at The Woodlands Inn (now The Woodlands Resort) during construction and left to pursue a career in real estate in 1977. A co-owner of Woodlands Properties until 1993, she disbanded the company and went to work for Woodlands Realty and ultimately became the Director of Sales for Woodlands Custom Homes.
Mary had many community interests which ranged from serving as president of the Montgomery County Association of Realtors to serving on the boards of the Friendship Center, Interfaith, Education for Tomorrow Alliance, and in 1990, she became the second female Chairman of the Board for The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce. She also acted as finance director for Brady for Congress for many years – Brady was the original CEO of The Woodlands Chamber.
Her trailblazing continued as she coordinated a campaign to bring the North Harris College System (now Lone Star College) to The Woodlands. She was elected to its Board of Trustees and served thirteen years, including two terms as board chair. The art gallery at the Montgomery County campus bears her name.
A pioneer at heart, Mary was the second woman to be inducted into the Rotary Club of The Woodlands in 1991 and became president in 2012-13. A Paul Harris and Roll of Fame recipient, she hosted many young businesspeople from all around the world here as chair of the Rotary International Group Study Exchange.
According to Mary, one of the most meaningful awards she received was the Americanism Award, which she received in 1993. Awarded by the Daughters of the American Revolution, it is granted to naturalized citizens for their leadership, trustworthiness, service, and patriotism. Other accolades include being named YWCA Woman of the Year, an Interfaith Hometown Hero, Realtor of the Year in Montgomery County, and The Woodlands Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year.
Mary Matteson Parrish embodies the spirit of the Legacy Award as she has left an indelible mark on the community. She is a pioneer, a visionary, a servant-leader and wonderful friend to many.