Randy Phiel, chairman of the Adams County Commissioners, has been honored with the 2023 Jim Getty “Spirit of Gettysburg” Award – a recognition given annually by Destination Gettysburg, the official destination marketing organization of Adams County.
Phiel was one of nine nominees for the award – each nomination coming from a partnering business or community member. He was chosen to receive the Jim Getty Award by a committee of former recipients.
“Randy Phiel has a lifetime of experience working both inside and outside of the tourism community to make the industry successful for Adams County,” said Karl Pietrzak, President and CEO of Destination Gettysburg. “Randy understands the importance of bringing visitors to our community.”
Phiel is a former law enforcement ranger for Gettysburg National Military Park and organizer of the Gettysburg Anniversary Committee’s annual re-enactments, and is now a county commissioner and plans events with The Daniel Lady Farm in Gettysburg.
“I am honored to accept the Jim Getty Award on behalf of my family, friends, colleagues and community members who made these achievements possible,” said Phiel after receiving the award. “All these successes were achieved with community support – for the community. While chapters like the National Park Service and large re-enactment have now closed, the chapters with the Adams County Commissioners and The Daniel Lady Farm are still on-going.”
The Jim Getty “Spirit of Gettysburg” Award was presented at Destination Gettysburg’s Annual Meeting on March 21. The award was created in honor of long-time Abraham Lincoln presenter, Jim Getty, who passed away in 2015.
“Jim Getty was an iconic ambassador for our community, who I was privileged to know and work with, as he enthralled, educated, and made those dusty old history books come alive for thousands of visitors at the reenactment each year,” said Phiel.
“I could not be prouder to be a life-long resident of Adams County – and to serve historic and beautiful Adams County,” he added.
Destination Gettysburg, the official destination marketing organization, promotes Gettysburg-Adams County as a premier travel destination to benefit and enhance our community by sharing history and creating new experiences.
Featured image caption: Randy Phiel holds the Jim Getty “Spirit of Gettysburg” Award after Destination Gettysburg’s Annual Meeting on March 21 at Adams County Historical Society’s “Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum.”