Russell Schneider deflected any recognition he received from being named 2003 Small Business Person of the Year Thursday night.

Instead he said the recognition should go to the people who work for him.

He said after the Temple Chamber of Commerce 2003 Awards Banquet that he’s honored to receive the award and there’s a lot of good people who well deserve it. Schneider, who owns R.T. Schneider Construction Company, added he thinks the people who work for him deserve it.

“They’ve made the company what it is,” he said, “my wife and I started the company and basically the employees that I have continue to make it what it is today.”

Thursday night the Chamber celebrated things accomplished in 2003 and looked forward to goals this year.

The Small Business Person of the Year, selected for a person whose business has had a large influence in employment, economic growth and personal business in Temple, is considered a significant achievement.

In another award announced Thursday night, Chris Tolbert, the marketing manager with Texell Federal Credit Union, won 2003 Red Carpet Ambassador of the Year.

She said that her fellow Red Carpet Ambassadors are thankful that she won it and it’s an honor to represent them. The person who participated in the most events is selected Red Carpet Ambassador of the Year.

Chamber representatives looked at past accomplishments and toward future ones.