Nearly 200 people packed The Supper Club in Niles Thursday to honor outstanding men and women in business as the Four Flags Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual awards dinner.

Chamber president and CEO Tyanna Weller explained the goal of the year ahead with the organization’s new theme: Charting the Course. Weller said 2014 was a busy year, packed full of new events and busy nights. This year, the Chamber plans to host fewer events in order to put more time and energy into the events that remain.

Perhaps the most touching part of the evening, the City of Niles Police Department received a standing ovation when the Chamber honored officers for their bravery and quick decision-making during one of the scariest nights of 2014.

“On Dec. 5, a call came at 7 p.m. from Amtrak that someone on board was acting suspicious,” Weller said. “Officer Daniel from the Niles Police Department was the first to arrive. He made contact with a conductor, and moments later came a commotion.”

Weller described the scene of people pushing and running, some to other cars, and some exiting the train, after a passenger on board stabbed four other passengers. Instead of using a gun on the assailant, Daniel used a taser to subdue him.

“Four people were injured, but it could have been a lot worse. His quick thinking and calm demeanor saved lives that day,” Weller said.

Officer Shane Daniel, Chief James Millin and a number of other Niles police officers accepted the award on behalf of the department.

“We’d like to thank all of you for the support,” Millin said. “I like to think we have some of the best officers in the state, and even the best officers in the country.”

Millin said that in a world where police officers are often ridiculed for pulling their guns too quickly, he is thankful that Daniel was able to instead use a taser to calmly diffuse the situation and get quickly the wounded passengers the medical attention they needed.

Other winners included Jan Personette, who received the Voice of Cares award. When the speaker described the award winner as someone who “eats, sleeps and breathes Niles,” the entire room was able to guess that Personnette was the winner.

Niles school board treasurer Jeff Curry presented a special award to Superintendent Michael Lindley for his efforts in the Niles school district.

“Dr. Lindley came on during a difficult time during the school district,” Curry said. “He easily could have decided to simply steady the boat until we found a permanent superintendent, but he went above and beyond to help Niles Schools reach some goals.”

Among those goals, Curry said Lindley helped the district pass an operating millage or sinking fund, get a bond on the ballot May 5, create a unified school district, improve the budget process and evaluation system, settle contracts with faculty and find “one heck of a permanent superintendent.”

United Federal Credit Union was awarded Business of the Year after a successful year, which included the opening of the new office in Niles.

Niles Steel Tank was awarded Industry of the Year. Barbara Craig, of Lake Michigan College, said the business was recognized for “creating a standard to which we should all live up to” and being a model industry in the Michiana area.

Bill Deluca presented Jeremy VanWinkle, of Prized Pig in Niles, with the New Member of the Year award. VanWinkle, who publishes a successful finance blog, followed a different passion when he opened Prized Pig in Niles, serving what Deluca cited as “some of the best pulled pork in the area.”

The Niles Library was awarded Service Organization of the Year.

“This is not your grandma’s library,” said Mark Webber, who presented the award. Webber explained the transition in the library’s role in the Niles community throughout the last year, listing a number of regular activities that allow something for everyone in the Niles area.

Michael Caldwell, publisher and president of Leader Publications, was awarded the Outstanding Leader Award. Kim Wooden, who presented the award said Caldwell’s leadership and representation in the community has helped to elevate the newspapers and other products created by Leader Publications.

“I’m accepting this award on behalf of our entire team,” Caldwell said. “This isn’t about me. I’m just lucky to get to steer the ship.”

Scott Williams, of Inner Journey, was named Ambassador of the Year. Williams chose to move to Niles after 25 years as a paramedic and EMT in Chicago, and was recognized for his leadership in the health and wellness industry in Niles.

Jane Brandstatter was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year for her dedication on the board of directors for the Niles-Buchanan YMCA and her leadership with the Cope Grows intiative.

Two lifetime achievement awards were awarded.

Wannis Paris, of Delta Machining, Inc., was honored for his dedication to the industry, and was commended for “someone for whom money is not his main motivation, but his heart, and his dedication to the American made product.”

Paris goes out of his way to make all businesses — including his competitors’ — excel, ensuring that everyone makes the best possible products that they can.

Mickey Hutchinson, of the Four Flags Plaza, was also awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mickey’s sons, Mark and Michael, accepted the award on their mother’s behalf, and said she was in tears because she was not able to attend the event.

Hutchinson has been with the Four Flags Plaza, a retirement facility, since it opened 33 years ago, and she takes pride in maintaining full occupancy while adhering to HUD regulations and keeping the building in good working order.