NEW YORK (TIP): An Indian American businessman has been awarded by a US business chamber as its 2013 Ambassador of the Year. Kiran Patel was named as the 2013 Ambassador of the Year by the Henderson Chamber of Commerce in the city of Henderson in the US state of Kentucky, thegleaner.com reported Thursday, May 9.

“Like previous winners of the Ambassador of the Year Award, (Patel) puts in several hours every day at their job and is very active in the chamber: attending ribbon cuttings, Brown Bag lunch events and other chamber events held throughout the year,” the report quoted award presenter Janet Hortin as saying.

After moving to Henderson with his family in 1994, Patel bought a motel and in 2011 bought the Henderson Hotel building, renovating it into what is now The Gilmore Inn in the city. Stating that the award was the best thing to have happened to him, Patel said, “I wish more people would work as ambassadors and board members.”