Jason A. Smith | The Valdosta Daily TimesJakarta Washington with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University won the 2019 Most Valuable Employee award.

VALDOSTA – The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce recognized several individuals and businesses at its 2019 Chamber Annual Awards and Dinner.

Peter Layne with The Home Depot was presented the 2019 A.L. Girardin award by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce staff.

Chamber President Myrna Ballard described Layne as having the chamber’s best interest at heart and always being willing to jump in and help however he can. She said when calls for help or information go out, Layne is one of the first to respond.

She said Layne invests his time and talents into tomorrow’s business owners through the Young Entrepreneurs Academy. He has acted as a judge and as a mentor. As a mentor, Layne met with students for five weeks in a row and helped them with their projects.

“I wanted to say what an honor this is and I want to say that I have worked with chambers in different cities over the years and I have never worked with a chamber as good as this one. I just want to say thank you for everything you do,” Layne said. 

“I have to thank my mother, I have to thank my wife and my father who is no longer with us for teaching me the things that I do every day that I so enjoy.

“I came to Home Depot 16 years ago, 17 in April, with the idea that I was going to get a nice 8-5, Monday through Friday job at some point and never work retail again. Seventeen years later, I’m happy to be there. I’m happy to be working with a company that has values that match my own.”

The award is given to a member of the chamber who has made extraordinary contributions to the chamber of commerce and the business community.

– Jakarta Washington with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University was presented the 2019 Most Valuable Employee award by Teamtemps.

The award recognizes an individual who possesses impressive job knowledge and extraordinary work ethic while demonstrating commendable effort in the workplace.

Washington serves as an ambassador for the chamber and is involved with the Red Carpet of South Georgia. She participates in educational affairs and organizes other events. She helps with the Valdosta school district step team.

“I want to thank the chamber for the opportunity to be an ambassador and to be able to meet so many different people within the community,” Washington said. “It’s been amazing for the short time I’ve lived in Valdosta — I’ve been here for three years.

Runners-up for the 2019 Most Valuable Employee included Dekoya Wallace with South Georgia Medical Center Clinical and Deanna Smith with The Investment Centre.

Lindsey Rogers with Hospice of South Georgia was presented the 2019 Young Professional of the Year award by Taylor Insurance.

The 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.

Rogers’ boss wrote a letter for why she should win the award and was used as Rogers’ introduction. 

“This is the best hiring decision I ever made,” the letter reads. “Her work has greatly enhanced community visibility of her employer. She has established partnerships that honor veterans. She took it on herself at one point to take photography classes to improve the quality of the website and the marketing of the employer, and then went on to win a national award with the photos she took.”

After accepting the award, Rogers said she didn’t “really know what to say” except “that I am beyond blessed, beyond grateful for being able to work at Hospice of South Georgia.”

Rogers shared a story about how she and a few friends were talking about the chamber awards a few months ago and how she couldn’t see herself winning an award.

“There’s no way I would ever get that,” she said. “I don’t know enough people. You know, I’m in the background. That’s where I like to be. … I hope most of you have experienced in your lifetime as a young professional for someone to see you. For someone to see talents, see your skills and just give you that opportunity.”

Runners-up for the 2019 Young Professional of the Year award included Keyara Hamilton with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers and Desiree Hagan with Winnersville Elite Cheer & Dance.

Tickle Me Pink Daycare and Learning Center was presented the 2019 Small Business of the Year award by Renasant Bank.

The award acknowledges a creative and innovative small business with 20 or fewer employees that demonstrates growth and stability in the business community.

Tickle Me Pink was started by Carter’s parents more than 20 years ago. In a video presentation, Carter said her mother had a love for children and wanted to open a child-care facility.

Five years ago, Carter said she saw the daycare had room to expand and to grow into a learning center that helps students build a foundation they need to succeed in life.

“I never wanted to be an educator, but it was only because I wanted to be different and unique,” Carter said. “I come from a long line of educators: my grandmother, my father, my mom. So, I wanted to create my own path. God allowed me to do that only to bring me back to what was always in my heart, what was always in my soul and what I was passionate about.”

Runners-up for the 2019 Small Business of the Year award included Hogan’s Pharmacy and JL Concepts.

Miller Hardware Company was presented the 2019 BIG Thinker award by Reinhart Food Services.

Miller Hardware is a multi-generational company that has been in business since 1908. Along with Miller Hardware, the company owns Seasons Garden Center and Whitehead Industrial Hardware.

“This is a great honor, and we are very humbled to accept it,” said Dutton Miller, chief executive officer of Miller Hardware. “People ask me from time to time how you get to four generations (of business), and I have to tell you, it takes a lot of different people, and it isn’t any one generation.”

The award recognizes home-grown entrepreneurs who care and give back to the community.

Kona Ice of Lowndes County was presented the 2019 Members’ Choice award by Hargray.

The Members’ Choice award recognizes a business that not only has excellent customer and client services but raises the bar for customer and client services in the community.

Since Kona Ice opened in 2017, the business has run to countless charity events and helped with multiple fundraisers for local schools.

“First off, I’d like to thank our lord and savior, Jesus Christ, for allowing people to come into our lives for our business, and that’s all the chamber members, that’s all of y’all,” said Russell Hassenstab who accepted the award. “I mean, we’ve met so many family and friends through all of this, and that was part of why we got into business was to see what we could bring back to Lowndes County. If it’s flavored shaved ice and steel drum music, then we do it.

“We enjoy what we do; we love what do. We love doing what we can for our schools, and so far, as of today … we have raised up to $20,000 to give back to Lowndes County and surrounding communities.”

Runners-up for the 2019 Members’ Choice award included Miss Kate’s Deep South Tours and Valdosta Chiropractic and Rehab.

Sally Sutton with Anchored Media Marketing was presented the 2019 Ambassador of the Year award by BioTest Pharmaceuticals.

The award is given to a chamber ambassador who exemplifies outstanding volunteer support, donates countless hours of services and assists with numerous chamber initiatives, as well as provides support to businesses on behalf of the chamber.

Sutton has been involved in the Chamber Ambassador program for a little more than a year but has been a mentor for the Young Entrepreneur Academy for two years. In the last year, Sutton has accrued more than 2,000 ambassador points by attending presentations, ribbon cuttings and by volunteering at various events. 

Sutton will be the chairperson for the ambassadors in 2019.

“This has been a really exciting year and has pushed me beyond my limits, getting me out in front of a lot of people, which I’m not used to doing,” Sutton said after accepting the award. “It’s been really fun and exciting.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the chamber for being such an awesome team that really supports and encourages large and small businesses. Thank you for being our cheerleaders. … It is an honor to be able to represent our chamber as an ambassador.“

Runners-up for the 2019 Ambassador of the Year award included Jerry Kozuch with South Georgia Vein Center and Deanna Smith with The Investment Centre.

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1257.