The Suffolk First Citizen of 2017 didn’t even know he’d been nominated for the award, so it came as a surprise.

“I’m surprised and honored and shocked,” said John Harrell.

The First Citizen Award is given by the Suffolk and North Suffolk Rotary clubs. It was started by the Cosmopolitan Club and has been given each year since 1956, except for a hiatus from 1999 to 2003, when it was picked up by the Suffolk Rotary Club. The North Suffolk Rotary Club joined in giving the honors several years ago.

Harrell is a native of Suffolk and 1957 graduate of Suffolk High School. He started working at the family business, Suffolk Iron Works, at the age of 14. After graduating from Virginia Tech in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, he joined his father in the family business, which has now been in operation for more than 100 years.

Harrell served his country in the Army National Guard and has served his community as a member of the Industrial Development Authority, on the board of the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce and Central Fidelity Bank, on the board of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, as president of the Suffolk Lions Club and the Suffolk Rotary Club, as chairman of the Birdsong Trust Fund and on the founding board of the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts.

Harrell is a member of West End Baptist Church, where he serves as the treasurer. He is married to Mary Lawrence Harrell.

Last year’s recipient was car dealership owner Lydia Duke. Other prior recipients have included real estate agent Billy Chorey Sr.; the late Robert W. “Bobby” Harrell Jr.; Dr. R. Leroy Howell; M. Caroline Martin; Sen. Fred Quayle; Dr. Doug Naismith; Delegate Chris Jones; Betsy Brothers, who was active in renovating Suffolk High School as the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts; community activist W. Ross Boone; attorney Whitney Saunders; longtime City Councilman Curtis Milteer; historian Sue Woodward; former Mayor E. Dana Dickens; businessman George Birdsong, longtime General Assembly member Sam Glasscock; dentist Dr. George Barnett; former Mayor Andy Damiani; and former Gov. Mills E. Godwin Jr.

A reception honoring Harrell will be held Sept. 26 at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. Profits from the event help fund the club’s charitable donations in the community.

Visit www.suffolkrotary.org for more information.