The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber will be hosting its 4th annual Chamber Choice Awards, presented by Citizens Community Bank, on Thursday, March 21 at the Rainwater Conference Center from 6:30-8:30 p.m. to recognize outstanding businesses and professionals from 2012. 
 
Tim Jones, president of Citizens Community Bank, and Cheryl Oliver with the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, will serve as the master of ceremonies for the red carpet event which will include the following award presentations: BIG Thinker Award, Small Business of the Year, Members’ Choice Award, Ambassador of the Year and Young Professional of the Year.  

The BIG Thinker Award will be presented to a self-made, visionary and successful entrepreneur who cares and gives back to his or her community. This award is designed to recognize those entrepreneurs whose ideas, innovations and business savvy go above and beyond the norm.

Small Business of the Year will be awarded to a business with 100 employees or less that exhibits growth and stability in the business community. A selection committee viewed packages submitted by nominees detailing their company’s innovative products or services, core values, goals, a business profile and any other documentation deemed significant by the nominee. There are 13 finalists in this category which include: Azalea Health, BCB Boutique, Bush Wealth Management, Citizens Community Bank, CJB Industries, Inc., Coleman Talley LLP, Commercial Cleaning Industries, Eye Associates of South Ga., L.L.C., Langdale Ford Company, Lemongrass Day Spa, Nexxtep Technology Services, Inc., Taylor Insurance Services and Williams Investment Group / Willams Hotel Group.

One business will receive the Members’ Choice Award, which is given to a business that shows dedication to quality, customer/client services and courtesy within the community. This year’s top ten finalists include CertusBank, Commercial Banking Company, Georgia Power, Langdale Honda and Kia, Langdale Hyundai, South Georgia Medical Center, Valenti, Rackley and Associates, LLC, Southwest Georgia Bank, State Farm Insurance - Paul Cribbs and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. Eighty companies were nominated for this category and more than 1,400 votes were cast to declare this year’s winner.

Ambassador of the Year will be given to one Chamber Ambassador who demonstrated outstanding volunteer ethics and provided invaluable support on the Chamber’s behalf. This year’s finalists include Courtney Copeland (Drury Inn & Suites), Courtney Matthews (Courtyard by Marriott), Joan Wilkinson (Mobile Notary Services), Kelli Banks (Clarion Inn) and Michael Meeks (Edward Jones Investments).

The Young Professional of the Year award will be given to someone who has made a significant impact to his or her businesses bottom-line. A selection committee viewed letters submitted by each nominee’s employer to choose a winner based on the individuals’ general positive impact on the company, financial impact on the company, and positive impact on the greater community. Finalists include Anne Shenton (Nexxtep Technology Services, Inc., Beau Howell (Coleman Talley, LLP), Carla Gervin (Goodwill Career Center), Chris Gates (CertusBank), Courtney Nelligan (Guardian Bank), Eric Johnson (Guardian Bank), Justin Zakrzeski (Azalea Health), Dr. Lacie Guy (Valdosta Chiropractic & Rehab), Meghan Duke (Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority), Micha Hogan (Wild Adventures Theme Park), Nicole Mitchell (MEA Federal Credit Union), Parrish Clark (Guardian Bank) and Tessa Garcia (Smith Drug Company).

Get ready to walk the red carpet as we congratulate and celebrate these top businesses and professionals who have given so much to the Valdosta-Lowndes community. This event is open to the entire community and pre-registration is required and can be completed at www.ValdostaChamber.com or by calling 229-247-8100.