The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce’s celebratory Annual Awards Dinner was truly a night of recognition as it honored six Beach Chamber members. On Thursday, February 20, 2014 at Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort, the elegant evening kicked off with a “red carpet” walk and cocktails. The Beach Chamber would like to give another appreciatory thank you to the AAD Presenting Sponsors; Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort, Ameris Bank, Harrison Sale McCloy, and Nations Real Estate, and our Gold sponsor, Whataburger.
This prestigious event recognized local citizens for their dedication and accomplishments in the community and with the Beach Chamber. Carol Roberts, President of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, took home the big award for the evening, our Pioneer of the Year. A pioneer is one who initiates, takes the lead, prepares the way, and participates in the development of a region. This award recognizes an individual’s leadership, accomplishments, vision and contributions to our community. She has served in various capacities such as the Better Business Coordinator, General Manager, Vice President of Membership Services, Vice President of Membership Development and Interim Director of the Economic Development Alliance. She has an extensive background in organizational management, community development and fund-raising. Mrs. Roberts has been a valuable asset to Bay County and is a well-deserved recipient of Pioneer of the Year through her 37 years served with the Chamber.
The Past Chairman’s Award was given to 2013 Chairman of the Board, Derrick Bennett, for his leadership of the Beach Chamber. Dana Sudheimer, our HYPE Member of the Year has remarkable leadership skills, dedication to the success of HYPE, and exhibits a conscious commitment to better the chamber and community. This year’s Ambassador of the Year, Terri Hoehn, is that and more. She has been an active chamber member for more than two decades. She has served as Chair of the Heart Ball and continues to volunteer for American Heart Association as well as for many years has been the face of Beach Care Service. She is a banker by trade but a true servant of Bay County.
Dr. Jon Ward, our 2013 Small Business Person of the Year Award winner, founded his business in 2006. He has participated in Beach Chamber events such as the annual Women’s Work-Life Symposium, DINE Luncheons, and the Business Expo; and advertising in our publications. His contributions to our chamber, community, and his profession throughout the country are unending. Our Humanitarian of the Year is Dave Johnson. He started his own small business in Panama City Beach in 1993, for which he awarded the Beach Chamber’s Small Business Person of the Year Award in 2006. He has won many awards and accolades since his arrival in Panama City Beach such as the Better Business Bureau’s Torchbearer Award for Business Ethics, Volunteer of the Year for Bay District Schools (Surfside), and Rotarian of the Year.
Again, congratulations to all award winners and thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Annual Awards Dinner.
The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce’s celebratory Annual Awards Dinner was truly a night of recognition as it honored six Beach Chamber members. On Thursday, February 20, 2014 at Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort, the elegant evening kicked off with a “red carpet” walk and cocktails. The Beach Chamber would like to give another appreciatory thank you to the AAD Presenting Sponsors; Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort, Ameris Bank, Harrison Sale McCloy, and Nations Real Estate, and our Gold sponsor, Whataburger. This prestigious event recognized local citizens for their dedication and accomplishments in the community and with the Beach Chamber. Carol Roberts, President of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, took home the big award for the evening, our Pioneer of the Year. A pioneer is one who initiates, takes the lead, prepares the way, and participates in the development of a region. This award recognizes an individual’s leadership, accomplishments, vision and contributions to our community. She has served in various capacities such as the Better Business Coordinator, General Manager, Vice President of Membership Services, Vice President of Membership Development and Interim Director of the Economic Development Alliance. She has an extensive background in organizational management, community development and fund-raising. Mrs. Roberts has been a valuable asset to Bay County and is a well-deserved recipient of Pioneer of the Year through her 37 years served with the Chamber. The Past Chairman’s Award was given to 2013 Chairman of the Board, Derrick Bennett, for his leadership of the Beach Chamber. Dana Sudheimer, our HYPE Member of the Year has remarkable leadership skills, dedication to the success of HYPE, and exhibits a conscious commitment to better the chamber and community. This year’s Ambassador of the Year, Terri Hoehn, is that and more. She has been an active chamber member for more than two decades. She has served as Chair of the Heart Ball and continues to volunteer for American Heart Association as well as for many years has been the face of Beach Care Service. She is a banker by trade but a true servant of Bay County. Dr. Jon Ward, our 2013 Small Business Person of the Year Award winner, founded his business in 2006. He has participated in Beach Chamber events such as the annual Women’s Work-Life Symposium, DINE Luncheons, and the Business Expo; and advertising in our publications. His contributions to our chamber, community, and his profession throughout the country are unending. Our Humanitarian of the Year is Dave Johnson. He started his own small business in Panama City Beach in 1993, for which he awarded the Beach Chamber’s Small Business Person of the Year Award in 2006. He has won many awards and accolades since his arrival in Panama City Beach such as the Better Business Bureau’s Torchbearer Award for Business Ethics, Volunteer of the Year for Bay District Schools (Surfside), and Rotarian of the Year. Again, congratulations to all award winners and thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Annual Awards Dinner.