DR. DAN CALLAHAN OUTSTANDING LEADER –

AWARDED TO: REPRESENTATIVE SHAW BLACKMON, GA HOUSE DISTRICT 146

Leadership Robins Region now boasts over 1,000 alumni since its founding in the 1980's. Over the years our leadership alumni have gone on to start businesses, teach, run successful organizations, hold elected office and make lasting impacts on their communities and those around them. Since 2006 the chamber has awarded an outstanding leader award in honor of Dr. Dan Callahan. Dr. Dan was a longtime resident of the Robins Region who lived the credo service before self. He served in the Army Medical Department during WWII and again as a volunteer physician during the Vietnam conflict. He was instrumental in the founding of Happy Hour and the Houston County Volunteer Medical Clinic. Dr. Dan embodied the characteristics of outstanding community leadership. An award of this stature requires a great leader to present it, and it is my great honor to welcome to the stage Judge Larry O’Neal to present this year’s Dr. Dan Callahan Outstanding Leadership Alumni Award.
SHAW BIO

A.C. “DICK” WALDEN CHAMBER CHAMPION

AWARDED TO: MICHAEL CHALMERS, SPHERION STAFFING PAST CHAIRMAN
    
The success of our chamber is made possible, first and foremost by our members but also by our tremendous team of volunteers. Each year we recognize an individual for their contribution to the Chamber with the A.C. “Dick” Walden Chamber Champion Award given in memory of A.C. “Dick” Walden who served as President & Executive Director of the Robins Regional Chamber for an amazing 16 years.

This year’s award recipient has been instrumental in the success of the Chamber over the past 7 years. Michael has shared his leadership, business acumen and HR know-how to ensure that the Chamber will continue to remain relevant and nimble long into the future. He championed the Chamber's streamlined membership and sponsorship models, and provided invaluable perspective about the role of the Chamber in politics as it relates to business. most recently serving as Board Chairman for 2017-2018.

SHERILL STAFFORD GOOD GOVERNMENT

AWARDED TO: JIMMY WILLIAMS, HOUSTON COUNTY FIRE CHIEF

Established in memory of former Houston County Commission Chairman and former Mayor of the City of Centerville Mr. Sherrill Stafford. It is presented to the community’s most outstanding elected or appointed official or employee of a governmental agency. The award recognizes exceptional service in the performance of duty.

CHARLIE L. JONES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

AWARDED TO: CHIEF JUDGE LARRY O’NEAL, CHIEF OF STATE TAX TRIBUNAL

This citizenship award recognizes the community’s most outstanding citizen for sustained and superior service the community. The Charlie L. Jones Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual whose service spans a significant number of years and may involve a combination of business, civic, governmental, cultural, and/or religious activities. Past recipients are a who's who of Warner Robins and Houston County. Names like Osigian, Cowart, Wiggins, Callahan, Bayer, Greenway, Talton, and even a World War Two legend. This is the highest individual honor that the Robins Regional Chamber presents each year and I consider it a privilege to assist in this recognition tonight.

Judge O’Neal most recently served as House Majority Leader, and has represented House District 146 (Warner Robins) since his election to the House in 2001. Prior to his election as Majority Leader, he served as Governor Sonny Perdue’s Floor Leader and Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Judge O’Neal serves on the Advisory Board of Directors of CB&T Bank of Middle Georgia and is a former member of the Warner Robins Rotary Club. He earned his law degree from Woodrow Wilson College of Law, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia.

Judge O’Neal and his wife, Kathy, have two children, Megan and Lawrence III.

ROBINS REGIONAL ROCKSTARS SPONSORED BY SPHERION STAFFING
PEOPLE’S CHOICE ROCKSTAR OF THE YEAR

AWARDED TO: SHELDON HUDLIN, 1ST CLASS CLEANING SERVICE
    
Formerly known as the Edward Bayer Robins Regional Chamber Employee of the Year, this award is about the people in business who make our days a little brighter or an experience a little more enjoyable. They are passionate about their work and they love the Robins Region. Ed believed in putting people first – investing in his employees and empowering them to do great work. Each of our honorees was nominated by their employers, their customers, their patients and friends. They represent a wide variety of positions and industries with the shared quality of providing exceptional service.

2018 ROCKSTARS

Lasandra Anderson, Strato’s Cleaners

Eric Baker, Between Friends Coffeeshop & Cafe

Steven Davis, Genesis Joy House

Sheldon Hudlin, 1st Class Cleaning Service

Connie Keithley, Racoon Stone & Tile Works

Sandria Snyder, Advanced EyeCare Center

Michelle Williams, Meadowdale Learning Center

ABOUT SHELDON, PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD WINNER

“This person is one of a kind. He represents everything that a "Rockstar" should exemplify - character, love of community, generosity to others, faith, persistence, and a work ethic that is beyond compare! This man is a true "lifter". He lifts his employees. He lifts his clients. He lifts his friends and his family. To know him is to know someone who can inspire others daily to follow his example. He not only works as hard as anyone I have ever known, he does so with genuine joy for the opportunity to work. He also displays a gratitude that many people lack...he takes nothing for granted. We could all use a little more Sheldon Hudlin in our life...there aren't enough like him - and this community is better for him being a part of it.”

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

As an organization focused on business, our next honors truly represents the heart of what we do on a daily basis. The Business Excellence Awards recognizes achievement and business success in our community. This year, thanks to the support of Cox Communications and the outstanding businesses nominated for the awards, we are able to recognize fourworthy businesses for outstanding achievement and contribution to community.

While our honorees represent a broad range of business sectors, they all have exceeded in demonstrating the criteria set out for this esteemed recognition. Nominees were required to complete a business profile and were evaluated in the following areas:  Staying power , Commitment to Local Economy, Sustainability, Business Integrity, Adaptation,  Response to challenges, Community Contribution, Leadership

RISING STAR – EMERGING BUSINESS AWARD

AWARDED TO: MY GRANDMA’S EMPANADAS & SQWEE GEEZ CAR WASH

The Rising Star Award was created in 2016 as a way to recognize the outstanding achievement of young, emerging businesses.
   
MY GRANDMA’S EMPANADAS

Our first honoree first started her business at the International City Farmer’s Market in May of 2015 with a mission to build a community through culinary art. Rikki considers her approach to food as part of the “Slow Food” movement - bringing it back to the roots to how our Grandma’s cooked, actually making real food. She buys most of her supplies from 15 different local farmers and artisans in Middle Georgia, because she cares about quality and keeping the money in Middle Georgia. And you can find her most days keeping the empanadas coming at her restaurant on Armed Forces Boulevard.
    
SQWEE GEEZ CAR

Opened in March 2018. Since their opening they have provided 3,200 free washes for lawenforcement and raised over $30,000 for local fundraing efforts benefiting schools, charities, churches and more. Owner Jeff Liszewski has been a tremendous supporter of this community as well as St. Jude's by constructing 4 Dream Homes for the organizxation. He believes strongly in community support and is a sponsor for the Houston County School System and is a champion for their Sharks- Adapted Sports Programs.

CHARLES K AND BARBARA SHAHEEN SMALL BUSINESES OF THE YEAR

AWARDED TO: THE BUTCHER SHOP, DAVID & AMY DEAN
   
The Charles K and Barbara Shaheen Small Business of the Year award is presented to a biz with 40 or fewer employees who:

- is a member in good standing of the Chamber

- demonstrates growth in sales, product lines or staff

- has innovative initiatives

- is considered successful by peers

- Shows evidence of outstanding community services contribution or involvement

- is a privately-owned, for-profit entity

This year’s small business of the year has truly had an incredible year. They moved in to a new location allowing them to expand their offerings and services while continuing to see high-quality meat to their customers. They pride themselves in offering food for the home-cook, not just the professional. David & Amy are truly some of the most genuine, giving people you will ever meet and we are excited to present to the Charles K and Barabara Shaheen Small Business of the Year award recipient for 2018 to The Butcher Shop.

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

AWARDED TO: STRATO CLEANERS
    
Our business of the year award has the same critieria as our Small Business award, but is specifically for business with more than 40 employees and/or multiple locations.

Our 2018 Business of the Year has been family-owned and operated since Feb 29, 1960. Opened by Mary Edenfield Gibbs and Bill Edenfield. The name “Strato” came from shortening “Stratosphere”. Mary considered it a perfect conversation piece that fit right into the Robins Air Force Base area. In 1973, a men’s clothing store was added and, two years later, a tuxedo rental service. In 1991, the store was remodeled. The four Edenfield children worked in the store as teenagers. Son Greg Edenfield, daughter Vicki Lacey and son-in-law Sebie Lacey (drummer of Stillwater band fame) have kept the business in the family. A second location has opened on Ga. 247 in Bonaire, and celebrated the opening of a 3rd location on Hwy 96 just a few months ago.