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The Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce will honor John Ruckel with the 2026 C. Wayne Mitchell Business Advocacy Award at the organization’s 104th Annual Meeting & Membership Banquet Sept. 22 at the Fredonia Hotel.

For more than 50 years, Ruckel has been a steadfast advocate for East Texas and the insurance industry. His commitment to public policy and citizen engagement began with what seemed like a simple favor in 1971.

As a recent Stephen F. Austin State University graduate and still new in the insurance business, Ruckel stepped up and volunteered to escort then-state Rep. Don Adams of Jasper to an insurance association luncheon in Austin. At that point, Ruckel had not visited the state capital, but that did not stop him from accepting the assignment.

Since then, during every odd numbered year, he has continued to make the trip to Austin as a grassroots lobbyist.

That first experience shaped a lifetime of service. Ruckel focused on two pursuits: building a successful career and advocating for the interests of his community and profession.

Over the decades, he has become known as a true grassroots lobbyist, working with elected officials and policymakers at the local, state and federal levels.

The chamber recognizes Ruckel as a key founder of the Lone Star Legislative Summit, the biennial event that brings leaders from Washington, D.C., alongside state lawmakers and policy influencers to Nacogdoches. Since its inaugural gathering in August 2006, the summit has showcased Nacogdoches, the Fredonia Hotel and SFA while highlighting issues important to East Texas communities.

“It’s the largest gathering of legislators outside of the state Capitol,” Ruckel said.

“The chamber appreciates the ongoing contributions Ruckel makes by teaching the art of lobbying and explaining the responsibility we have in the policymaking process. All can take roles in communicating our needs to elected officials. He also encourages civic involvement and leadership development, believing community engagement creates meaningful and lasting change,” Chamber of Commerce leaders said in a statement.

The advocacy award recognizes individuals whose dedication to advocacy reflects the spirit of its namesake, former Nacogdoches County Chamber CEO and advocate C. Wayne Mitchell.

For Ruckel, receiving the honor carries special significance and that “receiving the Wayne Mitchell Advocacy Award is a great honor for me,” he said.

Ruckel first met Mitchell about 30 years ago while both were in Washington, D.C.

“At the time Wayne was in Washington on business for the state of Maine. Neither of us could ever have imagined that decades later, we would be working together in Nacogdoches, and that makes receiving this C. Wayne Mitchell Advocacy Award a great honor for me,” Ruckel said.

The Chamber’s 104th Annual Meeting & Membership Banquet will celebrate Ruckel’s contributions and recognize the impact of a lifetime devoted to advocacy, leadership and service to Nacogdoches County.

For more information about The Chamber event, call 936-560-5533 or go to www.Nacogdoches.org.