Celebrating the past, looking to the future

Central Baldwin Chamber hands out awards at annual banquet

By John Underwood / john@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 1/21/20

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — The Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce celebrated the past while looking toward the future as it celebrated its 45th anniversary Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Baldwin County …

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Celebrating the past, looking to the future

Central Baldwin Chamber hands out awards at annual banquet

Posted

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — The Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce celebrated the past while looking toward the future as it celebrated its 45th anniversary Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Baldwin County Coliseum in Robertsdale.

“Our founders had a vision of what Central Baldwin could be 45 years ago,” said Chamber President/CEO Gail Quezada, “and we have come a long in the last 45 years.”

On the night when the Chamber celebrated founders Raymond Fell, Jimmy Gilbert, Huey Mack Sr., and Percy Pearson, it was fitting that on of its major awards, the Good Government Award, went to the son of one of those founding members, Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack.

After asking all of the elected officials in the room to stand, Mack said, “I accept this award on behalf of all the elected officials. It is a great privilege to serve the public. It’s not always easy, but it is always rewarding when done for the right reasons.”

The Fell-Gilbert-Mack-Pearson Founders Award for 2020 went to another lifelong resident and daughter of longtime Chamber member and supporter, Ashley Kucera with Campbell Hardware and owner of 59 South, a one-of-a-kind public meeting area.

Other awards handed out during the Jan. 16 meeting were:

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

Emerging Small Business of the Year: Southern Crafter Vinyl.

Generations Award: Flowerwood Nursery.

Small Business of the Year: Advantage Business Solutions.

Chamber Volunteer of the Year: Rebecca Shobe of Baldwin EMC.

Community Volunteer of the Year: Darlene Comstock with the Making Memories Hunt.

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

Robertsdale: CRC Distribution.

Loxley: Buc-ee’s.

Silverhill: Jason Will Real Estate.

Summerdale: McGinnis Construction.

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

Presenting sponsor for this year’s event is Baldwin EMC. Additional sponsors are: Diamond Sponsors: South Baldwin Regional Medical Center; Power Productions; Coastal Alabama Community College. Gold Sponsors: Baldwin County Cattle & Fair Association; Budweiser-Busch Distributing; Coca Cola Bottling Company United; Miller’s Grand Events; Pen Air Federal Credit Union; Riviera Utilities. Silver Sponsors: DataTrust Technologies; Hamm Enterprises LTD; Johnson, Slaughter, Driver, & Northcutt P.A. Bronze Sponsors: Advantage Business Solutions; Baldwin County Sheriff Office; Citizens’ Bank; Franklin Primary Health Centers; Gruenloh Hardy & Associates; Mack Funeral Home & Crematory.

The event kicked off with social hour featuring a silent auction, music, hors d’oeuvres and adult beverages. Dinner was catered this year by Café Acadiana of Silverhill.

Presentation of Colors was presented by the RHS Naval Junior ROTC. National Anthem was led by Nikki Childress and invocation by Jonathan Kitchens.

The evening culminated in the passing of the gavel from 2018 board president Jeff Plato to 2020 president Jeff Windham. 2019 board president Sandy Folan was present at the meeting but was unable to participate because of an injury.

“As we look back on a great 2019, I look forward to a great year in 2020,” Windham said, “and I look forward to a successful year with my incoming president Judge Harry D’Olive. All of the businesses represented here is what makes this a successful Chamber. Without you, we could not enjoy the success that we have.”