2008 marks the 21st year that the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce has recognized a member of the community for their outstanding business leadership and civic involvement. Over those 21 years, a veritable Who’s Who of Lakewood business men and women have been honored for their contribution to the community. The Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that the 2008 recipient of Lakewood’s Business Person of the Year is Mr. Jim O'Bryan.

Jim is best known as the publisher of The Lakewood Observer. However, he runs not one, but several growing businesses out of his office on Detroit Avenue. His photo/graphic businesses include A. Graphic Solutions, AGS Software, The Observer, as well as a T-shirt/silk screen company. He is also involved in several start-up companies producing community newspapers similar to The Observer.

Mr. O’Bryan was honored at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon of Friday, June 20 at the Women’s Pavilion in Lakewood Park. As Linda Beebe said in her introduction of Jim at the awards luncheon: “Jim O'Bryan is a lover of his home town, and his presence here is ubiquitous. When I knew him years ago as a student at LHS, he was everywhere and into everything. He was also friendly, caring and genuinely funny. Today he is STILL everywhere and into everything. He can be seen, camera in hand, at almost every public event in the City. The Lakewood Observer , both the hard copy and the web site - focuses totally on Lakewood, is written by unpaid, committed, non-professional members of the community , and is intended to provide a positive record of Lakewood events and personalities and issues and to help maintain the Lakewood Mystique in the new century. The Observer has made a big difference in the ability of Lakewood organizations and community groups to get the word out about activities and accomplishments. The Observation Deck provides a valuable forum for the exchange of information and ideas. The Lakewood Observer is in its fifth year and thriving. Mr. O’Bryan has been involved in a number of other community efforts; he regularly encourages small business start-ups; he has been particularly involved in the Madison Avenue Merchants Association, the Lakewood Is Art Walk, and the Madison Avenue Art Walk. He has donated ad space and revenues to benefit the Main Street program.”

Curt Brosky of the Westerly Apartments said in his nomination of Jim for this award, “Jim O'Bryan embodies the qualities and attributes of an outstanding choice for Business Person of the Year. Jim and The Observer have done more to promote a positive image of the Lakewood community than any other individual, organization or event." Ken Warren of Lakewood Public Library added, “Jim O'Bryan is unique. He is the wild horse blown by the winds of this city."