2022 Annual Awards Dinner Recap

Chamber members, pillars of the community, and special guests gathered on Thursday, January 26th at the Ohio University Inn and Conference Center for the Annual Awards and Dinner Meeting. The sold-out crowd enjoyed a lively cocktail hour, connecting with fellow attendees, and congratulating award winners. President Kristin Miller kicked off the program by highlighting the accomplishments of the Chamber in 2022, which included successful annual events; the creation of a new member benefit: the Holiday Gift Guide; staff updates; and the addition of 19 new members. Kristin also highlighted the 2023 Goals for the Chamber, which you can read about here.

2022 Chamber Award Winners, left to right: Tim Peacock and Melissa Wales of Stuart’s Opera House (Holzaepfel Economic Impact); Mollie Fitzgerald (Young Professional of the Year); TJ Hooper of 740 Audio (Best New Business); Melissa Bailes-Jewell (Ambassador of the Year); Ben Holter of Shrivers Pharmacy and Wellness (Jon Sparhawk Small Business of the Year); Leslie Schaller (Distinguished Service); Bill L’Heureux and Annie Valeant of The Southern Ohio Copperheads (Community Support).

In addition to summarizing our past year and looking toward the future, the Chamber voted in a new Chairperson to the Board of Directors, Lindsay Barnett (Hampton Inn), and welcomed in new At-large Board Members, Amanda Montgomery (APG Media) and Kristin Gardner (OhioHealth O’Bleness). Recognition was also given to outgoing Chair Kristi Kinnard (Career Connections), who will assume the Past Chair position on the Board, and David Mott (Mollica Gall Sloan & Sillery), who is the outgoing Past Chair.

The highlight of the evening was the recognition of our deserving award winners. Board members presented the success stories of each of our winners, and the winners themselves then had time to address the crowd. The main themes throughout all of these presentations and acceptance speeches were the importance of collaboration and community, and the night underscored the vibrancy of our local business community.

Below is a list of the awards and our winners, please visit this page for full award descriptions and winner bios.

Ambassador of the Year: Melissa Bailes-Jewell
Distinguished Service Award: Leslie Schaller
Holzaepfel Economic Growth Award: Stuart’s Opera House
Jon Sparhawk Small Business Award: Shriver’s Pharmacy & Wellness
Young Professional of the Year: Mollie Fitzgerald
Community Support Award: Southern Ohio Copperheads
Best New Business: 740 Audio

AWARD DETAILS

We at the Chamber are energized and excited for what 2023 will bring for our organization and members. Please reach out to us with any insights, thoughts, concerns, or questions – our success is your success!

Check out some moments from the night: