Greenville Chamber Announces its 2009 Award Winners

The Greenville Chamber held its 120th Annual Meeting on Thursday, January 29 at the Carolina First Center, presented by Carolina First. The event featured keynote speaker Betsy Fischer, executive producer of NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Also addressing attendees were 2008 Greenville Chamber Board Chair Jane Sosebee, 2009 Board Chair Tim Justice and Chamber President Ben Haskew.

The evening also featured the presentation of the Chamber’s 2008 annual awards:

The 2008 Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Dixon Hughes, PLLC, was presented to SynTerra. This is the 32nd year in which the Chamber has recognized the spirit of entrepreneurship by presenting the Small Business of the Year Award. (The Small Business of the Year is chosen from the 12 organization, which receive the Small Business of the Month award. Click here to view a complete list of all 2008 Small Business of the Month recipients. To nominate an organization for the Greenville Chamber's Small Business of the Month Award for 2009, click here.)

The Minority Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Bank of America, is presented to a local independently- and minority-owned company that has been in business for a minimum of three years. The 2008 award was presented to Talent Management Solutions, LLC.

The Young Professional of the Year Award, sponsored by BB&T, is designed to recognize an individual between the ages of 22 and 39 for his or her involvement in the community. The 2008 award was presented to Cindy Benjamin with Neal Prince + Partners Architects, Inc.

The ATHENA Award honors individuals who assist women in reaching their full leadership potential; demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession; and, provide valuable service by devoting time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community. The 2008 ATHENA Award, sponsored by Independence National Bank, was presented to Judy Prince of USC Upstate.

The Max Heller Neighborhood Improvement Award is given annually to an organization that has shown exemplary efforts toward neighborhood improvement and empowerment. The award is named in honor of former mayor Max Heller, who spearheaded numerous efforts over the years to improve the quality of life for all citizens of Greenville County. The 2008 award, sponsored by Wachovia, was presented to Jerry Blassingame with Soteria Community Development Corporation.

The Chairman’s Award, sponsored by Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C., recognizes one outstanding individual for his or her leadership and dedication to the Greenville Chamber. The 2008 Chairman’s Award was presented to Sam Konduros of SK Strategies, LLC. Konduros will serve on the Chamber’s 2009 Board of Directors as Vice-Chair of Organization Excellence.

The Buck Mickel Award Leadership Award, sponsored by AT&T, is given to an individual who has personally or under the auspices of a business had a dramatic impact on the community by playing a leadership role in solving critical community issues, strengthening the community or providing visionary leadership to a major community development project. The 2008 Buck Mickel Leadership Award was presented to Knox White, Mayor of the City of Greenville.

The Ambassador of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to the Chamber’s retention efforts by conducting personal visits with members to discuss their business needs and participation in Chamber activities. This 2008 recipient was presented to David Chamberlain of Integrity Business Solutions.

The Greenville Chamber is a voluntary, non-profit organization of businesses and professionals in Greenville County and the surrounding Upstate dedicated to promoting a preeminent business community: supporting innovation, collaboration and success by all businesses, small to large; providing vision, leadership and programs necessary for a progressive and diverse economy and quality of life. For more information on the Greenville Chamber, call 864-242-1050, or visit http://www.greenvillechamber.org/.