A Night of Celebration…The Chamber Awards
September nineteenth, twenty-twenty-four was a beautiful evening for The Chamber Awards. The photographs are here and it’s time to share the story with the community.
Over two hundred gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of our business community. Folks from all walks of life, from State and Local dignitaries, to manufacturing and industry management, to education and hospital leadership, to small business owners and non-profits, to community difference makers at large. It was a phenomenal cross-section of all sectors of this amazing community demonstrating how we come together to recognize the success stories of everyone.
This year’s annual Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce awards celebration was held at The Venue at Broken Bridge Farms. The views were breathtaking and the enjoyment of the company even better. We had live music, a lovely setting, the award-winning comedian and our guest emcee, Kenn Kington stepped in to lead the recognition and kept us laughing, even while some stories brought us to tears. We wrapped up the evening with spectacular food provided by our very own Chamber Member, Bryan Westmoreland, X-Factor Catering. As we ate, visited, laughed and danced the night away.
As is so every year, The Chamber Awards allows us to spotlight many of our local businesses, industries and individuals alike. The Chamber was thrilled to recognize a new Chamber partnership, Chamber Visionary Leaders which include Phillips Group, North Georgia Credit Union and Stephens County Hospital. These Visionary Leaders were our Presenting Sponsors and help us in celebrating 79 years in business as your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce.
Our Board of Directors for the 2024-25 year is made up of excellent leadership from across our community. The Board of Directors is led by our Executive Board Lisa Lawson, Woodmen Life, Chair; Cassandra Wilkins, Patterson Pump, Vice Chair; Savonda Turner, North Georgia Technical College as Past Chair; Stacy Miller, South State as Treasurer; and Anne Shurley, Currahee Club as Secretary/Tourism. The Board consists of a strong list of community leaders including Van Loskoski, Stephens County Hospital; Allison Wallace, Shepherds Hill Academy; Phil Hobbs, WNEG Radio; Sonya Stovall , Stovall Farms/City of Martin; Stephen Wallace, ASI Southeast; Erin Getzelman, UGA Ag Extension; Pam Hill, Hill Properties; Mary Lovett Anderson, Northeast Georgia Physicians Group; Shantelle Grant, Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library and Michelle Oglesby, North Georgia Technical College.
We recognized sixteen companies with Milestone Awards who are Chamber Members celebrating their 25th, 50th or 75th year Chamber-versary.
This year there were 2487 ballots received, voting on 50 nominees of local businesses, industries, and individual leaders and many of the results for the awards were neck and neck. The Excellence in Business Award was presented to Patterson Pump who excels across all facets of their operations, including leadership, innovation, customer service, and community involvement,
outstanding performance, setting industry standards, and contributing positively to the local economy.
The Small Business of Excellence Award was presented to Proline Supply. Non-profit of the Year was presented to Stephens County Christian Learning Center. The Ferrell Morgan Entrepreneur of the Year Award was presented to Don & Christy Hall of Currahee Outdoors. The Agriculture Business of the Year was presented to Currahee Vineyard & Winery. The Hospitality Award was presented to The Venue at Broken Bridge Farms. The L.P. “Bub” Greer Industry of the Year Award was presented to ASI-Southeast. The Retail Business of the Year was presented to Downtown Flowers.
Our Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Kersha Parker, Kersha Parker State Farm. Young Professional of the Year Award was presented to Kristen Deal, Main Street Toccoa. The Tourism & Promotion Award was presented to Lake Toccoa, City of Toccoa. The Ben F. Cheek Service & Professional Business of the Year was presented to Foothills Contracting.
Our Restaurant of the Year Award was presented to Moogy’s Mill Creek Gathering Place. The Rising Star Award was presented to Megan and Daniel Thomas of After Hours Designs. The Spirit of Community Award was presented to Shantelle Grant, Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library. The Bob Evans Chairman’s Award was presented to Savonda Turner.
We wrapped up the awards recognition spotlighting two very significant individuals who have left a mark on our community:
The Legacy Award goes to a one who as they step into the next chapter of life is leaving a mark on this community, a legacy. The Legacy Award was presented to Leon Osborne.
The 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Mr. Mark Wilkinson for a lifetime of dedication and commitment to his family, his Lord & Savior and to our community.