NATCHEZ — You know their voices, but it was hearts and minds that led the Chamber of Commerce to this year’s Natchezians of the Year.

The Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce handed out four awards at its annual dinner Tuesday night, the two top titles going to Dr. Kenneth Stubbs and Mary Flach.

Stubbs — known in sports circles for his voice in play by play at Cathedarl Highsoccer games — has made contributions to the community in several arenas, chamber Director Debbie Hudson said.

“In 2004, this physician became the poster child for tort reform in Mississippi,” Hudson said as she presented the award. “He organized local efforts to bring attention and awareness to the need for tort reform.

“Due to his efforts, and many others like him throughout the state, tort reform legislation was passed.”

Stubbs, a practicing doctor and the vice president of medical affairs at Natchez Regional Medical Center, has been active in Cathedral School and the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race, among other things.

Flach, also a Natchezian of the year, is known by Belk customers for her voice over the store’s intercom, Hudson said.

Flach is the Belk manager, but has also been active with Habitat for Humanity, the United Way, the Natchez Garden Club and the Natchez Opera Guild.

“Since blazing into town more than 12 years ago, she has consistently proven to be an outstanding leader both in her workplace and in her community,” Hudson said.

Flach was an ideal candidate for the award not only because of endless energy for the community, Hudson said, but because of efforts that have led to the donation of thousands of Belk dollars to local non-profit organizations.

Traditionally the chamber has awarded the Natchezian of the Year award to a man and given a separate award titled Woman of the Year.

The board decided this year two Natchezians of the Year would be more appropriate, Hudson said.

The chamber also honored First Natchez Radio as the Small Business of the Year and Silas Simmons LLP as the large business of the year.

Hudson said Marie Perkins and family have been pioneers in Mississippi radio.

She praised the station for repeated awards from the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters and for community service projects.

Silas Simmons was founded in 1932 as one of the state’s first accounting companies.

“Investment into this community has been very important to this company as well,” Hudson said. “It has been a major sponsor for Relay for Life as well as the Great Mississippi River Balloon Races.

“How fitting during this economic climate, that we recognize our big business of the year, a company with 75 years of stability and service to the community,” Hudson said.