Ameris Bank was the presenting sponsor for the 2017 Chamber Annual Awards at the Rainwater Conference Center, held Thursday, February 23 to honor deserving businesses and business professionals in the Valdosta area.

Lee McArthur, Vice Chairman of Member Services for the Chamber referred to the Chamber Annual Awards as “The Oscars of the Valdosta Chamber.” The event began with a cocktail hour and mingling, prior to dinner and awards. More than 430 guests were in attendance.  

There were seven awards given to seven professionals and businesses. They were as follows:

Ambassador of the Year, given to Jerry Kozuch of South Georgia Vein Center

The Members’ Choice Award, given to Angie Crawford State Farm

Most Valuable Employee Award, sponsored by Teamtemps Personnel Staffing, given to Laura Love of South Georgia Medical Center

Young Professional of the Year, sponsored by First Commerce Credit Union, given to Jeremy Chick of Ashley’s Business Solutions

Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Taylor Insurance, given to Big Nick’s

The BIG Thinker Award, given to Ronald Cowart of Cowart Electric and Industrial Contractors, Inc.

The Business Plan Competition winner, sponsored by Southwest Georgia Bank, given to Partners in Health Management

The A.L. Girardin Award, given to Michael Lee of Ameris Bank

The Ambassador of the Year Award is presented to an outstanding member of the Ambassadors team each year. Jerry Kozuch attended more than 70 Ambassador events over the course of 2016.

The Member’s Choice award is given to a member of the Chamber that receives the most votes on an open survey that is sent out to all Chamber members.

The Most Valuable Employee Award, sponsored this year by Teamtemps Personnel Staffing, recognizes an individual who possesses impressive job knowledge and extraordinary work ethics, while demonstrating commendable effort in the workplace.

The Young Professional of the Year award recognizes a young professional who has made a positive impact on his or her business, while maintaining a devotion to community service and civic engagement.  

The Small Business of the Year award, sponsored this year by First Commerce Credit Union recognizes a creative and innovative small business, with 100 or fewer employees, that demonstrates growth and stability in the business community.

Each year, the Chamber recognizes a “BIG Thinker.”  This individual is a self-made visionary and successful entrepreneur who cares and gives back to his or her community. 

The final award of the night, presented by President of the Chamber Myrna Ballard and the Chamber staff, was the A.L. Girardin Award is presented to a member who has made extraordinary contributions to the Chamber and the local business community.

To close the evening, presenting Sponsor and 2016 Chairman of the Board, Michael Lee, introduced James McGahee as the 2017 Chairman of the Board. He also announced the date for next year’s Chamber Annual Awards, February 22, 2018.