The Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce honored several local businesses and members for outstanding contributions at the 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon held Thursday at Cross Creek Country Club.
“This is a happy and important occasion for the Mount Airy chamber,” said Clark Thomason, a representative from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Thomason attended the meeting to present the local chamber with an award of its own: a three-star accreditation through the national organization.
Of the 7,000 chambers throughout the country, only 201 are currently accredited.
The program recognizes chambers at four levels: accredited, three-, four-, or five-star accredited.
During her remarks, Thomason mentioned that the Mount Airy chamber was one of only three chambers in the state to achieve accreditation, a fact that was met with spontaneous applause from the members in the audience.
She noted that the status was not permanent. Local organizations must reapply every five years and meet the “very stringent” requirements.
“As representatives of business growth you must be willing to change,” Thomason said.
The local chamber has maintained accreditation for many years.
“It’s a good way to take temperature of the chamber to see if you’re doing everything you should be doing,” said Randy Collins, chamber president and CEO.
Thomason presented a plaque to Denise Watson, the chamber’s 2016 Chairman of the Board, who accepted the award on behalf of the local organization.
And the winner is…
About 40 businesses were nominated for the seven awards announced at the luncheon:
• Mill Creek General Store was named Small Business of the Year.
• Workforce Unlimited won the Business Longevity Award in the large business category.
• F. Rees Company won the Business Longevity Award in the small business category.
• Mayberry Spirits won the Green Business Award.
• Steve Yokely won the Outstanding Public Service Award.
• Dale Draughn, of Edward Jones, was named Ambassador of the Year.
• Bear Creek Gifts and Fudge Company won the “Excellence in Tourism Award.”
• Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care won the “Duke Energy and Citizenship Award.”
“We really think it’s the best of the best,” Collins said. “We hope it just reminds people in the community how important these people are to Mount Airy.”
Watson, executive director of Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care, accepted the citizenship award on behalf of her organization.
“I’m overwhelmed,” she said, giving credit to her team for the award.
“It represents our organization and what we do everyday. We’re honored just to be nominated, but to win, it’s phenomenal.”
Vann McCoy, owner of Mayberry Spirits, reflected on what the award means to a business.
“We’re so new I’m surprised to win anything,” he said, noting that his company’s emphasis on sustainability is not one many folks typically identify with a distillery.
“Purchasers of our product have discriminating tastes,” and place a high value on sustainability, he said. “That we are recognized for that will improve our presence in that market.”
Denise Watson accepts the Mount Airy chamber’s three-star accreditation from Clark Thomason, of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
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Denise Watson accepts the Mount Airy chamber’s three-star accreditation from Clark Thomason, of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
Terri Flagg | The News
Helen Holmes, owner of Mill Creek General Store, accepts the Small Business of the Year award presented by Todd Tucker of the Surry County Economic Development Partnership at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
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Helen Holmes, owner of Mill Creek General Store, accepts the Small Business of the Year award presented by Todd Tucker of the Surry County Economic Development Partnership at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
Terri Flagg | The News
Mike Brannock, right, CEO of Workforce Unlimited, accepts the Business Longevity Award, large business category, presented by chamber president Randy Collins, at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
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Mike Brannock, right, CEO of Workforce Unlimited, accepts the Business Longevity Award, large business category, presented by chamber president Randy Collins, at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
Terri Flagg | The News
Randy Collins, left presents the Business Longevity Award, small business category, to Gene Rees, of F. Rees Company, at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
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Randy Collins, left presents the Business Longevity Award, small business category, to Gene Rees, of F. Rees Company, at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
Terri Flagg | The News
Vann McCoy, left, owner of Mayberry Spirits, accepts the Green Business Award from Curtis Taylor, Surry Telephone CEO, at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
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Vann McCoy, left, owner of Mayberry Spirits, accepts the Green Business Award from Curtis Taylor, Surry Telephone CEO, at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
Terri Flagg | The News
Steve Martin, owner of Bear Creek Gifts, accepts the Excellence in Tourism Award from Jessica Icenhour Roberts, director of marketing, at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
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Steve Martin, owner of Bear Creek Gifts, accepts the Excellence in Tourism Award from Jessica Icenhour Roberts, director of marketing, at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
Terri Flagg | The News
Steve Yokely, left, accepts the Outstanding Public Service Award from Adam Martin, of Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation, at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
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Steve Yokely, left, accepts the Outstanding Public Service Award from Adam Martin, of Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation, at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
Terri Flagg | The News
Ambassador of the Year Dale Draughan accepts his award at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
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Ambassador of the Year Dale Draughan accepts his award at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
Terri Flagg | The News
Denise Watson, executive director of Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care, holds the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award presented to the organization at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
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Denise Watson, executive director of Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care, holds the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award presented to the organization at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
Terri Flagg | The News
Denise Watson is surprised to hear Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care announced as the winner of the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
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Denise Watson is surprised to hear Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care announced as the winner of the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
Terri Flagg | The News
Sheila Jones and Ron Pardue stand to be recognized for their service at Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care, which won the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
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Sheila Jones and Ron Pardue stand to be recognized for their service at Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care, which won the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday.
Terri Flagg | The News
Winners of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards pose together after a lunch ceremony Thursday at Cross Creek Country Club.
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Winners of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Awards pose together after a lunch ceremony Thursday at Cross Creek Country Club.
Terri Flagg | The News
By Terri Flagg
tflagg@civitasmedia.com
Reach Terri Flagg at 415-4734.