Philip E. Penn, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, recently received the Lewis S. Armstrong Award from Indiana University South Bend.

The award, which is in its 20th year, recognizes distinguished achievement, leadership and contributions to the advancement of business and the quality of life in Elkhart County. Penn received the award at a dinner on Sept. 27, in Elkhart. The award is presented each year from the School of Business and Economics at IU South Bend.

Penn has been president and CEO of the chamber since 2000 following his retirement from Rieth-Riley Construction Co. Inc., Goshen, after more than 33 years of employment.

He had served as a volunteer with the chamber for more than two decades including serving on the board of directors and chairing the Transportation Council.

Penn is active in the Elkhart County Coalition of Chambers, EDI (Elkhart Downtown, Inc.), Elkhart Centre Board, Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County, Horizon Project, 2010 Coalition, Elkhart Chamber Foundation Board, Elkhart County Community Foundation, Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau, ELCO Theatre Board, Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG), U.S. and Indiana Chambers, Indiana Commerce Executive Association Board (ICEA), U.S. 31 Coalition Board and County-Cities Advisory Council.

Past winners of the Lewis S. Armstrong Award are: Basil S. Turner, Walter O. Wells, Lee Martin, Ramona T. Middleton, Lehman F. Beardsley, William P. Johnson, Jon Armstrong, Jonathan W. Housand Jr., Leroy F. Ott, Geraldine F. Martin, Robert J. Deputy, Frank K. Martin, William O. Phillips, Al Bias, Rex Martin, Gail T. Martin, Phid Wells, Richard J. Jensen and Thomas L. Dusthimer.