Frosty Gilliam Jr. named Citizen of the Year

The award may have read “Frosty Gilliam Jr.,” but Frosty Gilliam Jr. shared the credit with one other person as he was honored as the Odessa Chamber of Commerce’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year on Thursday.

Gilliam, founder of Aghorn Energy, shared the honor with his wife, Rhonda, who he said was behind his success.

“We’re a team. Without her, there’s no Frosty Gilliam,” Gilliam said. “Rhonda and I are very humbled for this recognition.”

Gilliam also received honors from Sens. John Cornyn and Kel Seliger, Rep. Tryon Lewis and Gov. Rick Perry, who wrote letters of congratulation, which were read by Odessa Chamber Chairman Thomas Blackstone.

Mayor Pro Tem Dean Combs issued the proclamation naming Feb. 2, 2012, as Frosty Gilliam Jr. Day, calling Gilliam an “enthusiastic, hardworking entrepreneur.”

A Permian High and Texas A&M University graduate, Gilliam is co-founder of Aghorn Business, which he founded with his younger brother in 1987. In 2009, he was honored by the Odessa Heritage Foundation as Statesman for Business.

Gilliam is an active community member, volunteering and serving on the boards of Mission Odessa, Permian Basin Rehab Center, Rock the Desert and the Permian Basin Mission Center, of which he was president.

Gilliam is also a member of First Baptist Church, volunteering with the church youth.

Throughout his acceptance speech, Gilliam thanked God for bringing him and his family to Odessa.

“It’s such a blessing to be here and help contribute back to Odessa and Midland,” Gilliam said. “God blesses us, because he blesses others. That’s really our mission.”

The luncheon’s emcee, CBS7 news anchor Tatum Hubbard, thanked Gilliam for his devotion to the community.

“As an Odessa girl, I’m just so thankful for people like you and your wife,” Hubbard told Gilliam. “Frosty is devoted to making Odessa a better place for all citizens.”

@OAcitylife