Rotarian Jeb Williamson presents the William O. Buettner Service Above Self Award to honoree John Apel. (Photo courtesy Maria Stanford)
CULLMAN – On Thursday, Jan. 17, the Cullman Rotary Club presented its William O. Buettner Service Above Self Award to John Apel. Apel, a native of Cullman, is president of Apel Machine & Supply Company, a family-owned business with more than 30 employees.
The Rotary Club shared: “Mr. Apel is active in local government activities and is community minded. He has been involved with the City of Cullman Industrial Development Board and has served for over 20 years. In addition to being a board member, he has stepped up in leadership positions over the years and currently serves as the vice president of the ID Board. He has served as president working alongside Dale Greer with the City of Cullman Economic Development Agency. This is a low-profile kind of position and he enjoys serving behind the scenes.
“He has served on the Cullman Regional Foundation Board of Trustees for many terms. He currently is in the leadership position as president and is the former treasurer of the board. He has been instrumental in fundraising campaigns, the annual gala and Herman C. Ensor Lights of Love program. He has been committed to various projects to help advance healthcare services for our community. He is the first one to volunteer for an event and gives of his time; in fact, he really doesn’t want any recognition.
“Mr. Apel is a member of St. John’s Church as well and has served in various leadership positions such as Past Chair of the Church Council, Senior Pastor Search Committee, Building Committee and humbly worked on kitchen crew behind the scenes. He is a strong supporter of the City and County School Systems as well as Wallace State Community College. He has been involved with the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce. He does so much in the community that we don’t even know about and gives back to numerous non-profit groups in Cullman County. He is a selfless man and one of high character.
“He is married to Marie Apel and they have three children, Chad, Nicholas and Brooke and a granddaughter, Addison. He is known as a great teacher, an outstanding father and overall a great role model. He serves others and always puts family first while caring for his mother and mother-in-law. Mr. Apel always does the right thing for the right reason. John Apel lives the Rotary 4-way test: he speaks the truth, is fair to all concerned, and builds goodwill and better friendships in our community.”
About the William O. Buettner Service Above Self Award
From the Rotary Club: “This award is named in honor of longtime Rotarian Bill Buettner who was an outstanding Rotarian who had perfect attendance for 50 years. Mr. Buettner was president of Buettner Brothers Lumber for many years and served our community quietly behind the scenes, never wishing to be in the spotlight – and truly exhibited service above self.
“To Rotary members the motto Service Above Self means that as professionals we pool our resources, network with like-minded professionals, and use our time and talents to serve our community. This award was created to recognize non-Rotarians in our community who live out this motto with their selfless actions.”
For more on the Cullman Rotary Club, visit www.facebook.com/Cullman-Rotary-Club-115283305172250/.
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