‘A Vision For the Future’

Central Baldwin Chamber hands out awards at annual banquet

Posted 1/24/18

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — The Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce shared its “Vision For the Future” at its 42nd Annual Banquet held Thursday night, Jan. 18 at the Baldwin County Coliseum in …

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‘A Vision For the Future’

Central Baldwin Chamber hands out awards at annual banquet

Posted

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — The Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce shared its “Vision For the Future” at its 42nd Annual Banquet held Thursday night, Jan. 18 at the Baldwin County Coliseum in Robertsdale.

“They say in five years, nothing about you changes, except for two things, the books you read and the people you meet,” said outgoing Board Chairman Jonathan Kitchens. “Anybody who’s ever served on the Central Baldwin Chamber Board knows that there’s no time to read books. But I’ve learned a lot from the people I’ve met over these last years.”

Kitchens said he has learned from both the enthusiasm of new business owners at a ribbon cutting and the wisdom of longtime business owners.

He was not only honored as the outgoing Chamber Board Chairman, but was also honored as the Chamber’s Man of the Year.

“Through the years I have had so many mentors in the business world, many of whom are in this room, some of whom have already gone on to be with the Lord, and I am truly humbled by this award,” he said. “My goal is always not to be seen, but that people will see Christ through me and I hope that’s what you see in giving me this honor.”

Longtime George P. Thames Senior Center/Adult Activity Center Director Sarah Duncan was honored as Woman of the Year, while the Chamber handed out awards for the Volunteer of the Year to Kay Arnette and Community Volunteer of the Year to Howard Harper.

Presenting sponsor for this year’s event is Baldwin EMC. Additional sponsors for this year’s event are: Diamond sponsors: Coastal Alabama Community College, South Baldwin Regional Medical Center; Gold sponsors: Baldwin County Sewer Service, Riviera Utilities, Power Productions, Coca-Cola Bottling, Budweiser Busch Distributing; Silver sponsors: Johnson, Slaughter, Driver, & Northcutt, Hamm Holdings, Baldwin County Cattle & Fair; Bronze sponsors: Gruenloh & Associates, Mack Funeral Home, Citizens’ Bank, Piggly Wiggly, Robertsdale Dental Care.

The event kicked off with social hour featuring a silent auction, music, hors d’oeuvres and adult beverages, along with a 50/50 drawing.

Dinner was catered this year by L.A. BBQ and Caterining of Summerdale.

Each of the four municipalities also presented “Business of the Year” awards during Thursday night’s event. Award winners included:

Robertsdale: Affinity Healthcare.

Loxley: KerbyRealty, LLC.

Silverhill: Maji Hope/Brodie’s Cream & Bean.

Summerdale: E & J Builders.

Several new awards were handed out during the program, including four Small Business of the Year Awards:

Emerging Small Business of the Year: The Vinyl & T-shirt Shop of Robertsdale.

Best in Growth: Cozumel Mexican Grill of Loxley.

Generations Award: Campbell Hardware & Sporting Goods.

Small Business Champion of the Year: Yolanda Devine Johnson.

Good Government Awards were also presented to County Commissioner Tucker Dorsey and State Rep. Harry Shiver.

Outgoing board members, incoming and current board members were also recognized during the program.

The evening culminated in the passing of the gavel from 2017 board president Jonathan Kitchens to 2018 president Jeff Plato.

“As 2018 chairman, my hope for this year is to continue to bring more businesses into Central Baldwin and to continue with the good fortune we have here,” Plato said.

In closing, Kitchens said he wanted to reiterate his pride as a lifelong resident and business owner in Central Baldwin County.

“I will end this year the way I began last year,” he said, “by saying that there’s no place I’d rather live and work than in Central Baldwin County.”