The Greater Macon Chamber presented a free virtual celebration honoring the community leaders and heroes who have triumphed over adversity in this challenging year. Members and citizens joined the event from living rooms and homes for the celebration recorded at the historic Capricorn Sound Studios with support from generous sponsors, deserving winners and surprise musical guests. 

2020 Healthcare Champion

Sponsor: Macon Occupational Medicine

Winner: Navicent Health: Starr Purdue, Navicent Health Board Chair

Winner: Coliseum Health System: Steve Daugherty, CEO 

2020 Visionary & Community Impact

Sponsor: Cadence Bank

Winner: United Way of Central Georgia: George McCanless

Winner: Community Foundation of Central Georgia: Kathryn Dennis 

2020 Outstanding Young Business Leader

Sponsor: Walthall Oil

Winner: Susannah Maddux, Publisher of Macon Magazine 

2020 Workforce Development Champion

Sponsor: Georgia Power

Winner: Cassandra Washington, CEO Hutchings Career Academy 

2020 COVID19 Challenge Champion

Sponsor: Cox Business

Winner: Leonard Bevill, CEO Macon Occupational Medicine

2020 Ambassador of the Year

Presenter: Heather Hayden, Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce

Winner: Cristen Carter, of Clayton Carter LLC, CPA 

2020 Robert F. Hatcher Distinguished Leadership Macon Alumni

Presenter: Jamie Kaplan, 2019 Leadership Winner

2020 Winner: Mike Kaplan

2020 Citizen of the Year

Sponsor: Navicent Health

Presenter: 2019 Citizen of the Year

Dr. Ivan Allen, President Central Georgia Technical College

Winner: Alex Habersham, Macon-Middle Georgia Black Pages

Remarks by 2019 Citizen of the Year and 2020 Award Presenter 

Dr. Ivan Allen, President Central Georgia Technical College issued the following remarks in a virtual ceremony recorded at Capricorn Studios in downtown Macon and presented on multiple online channels on November 19 at 7 PM. 

Congratulations to Mr. Alex Habersham for being named the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year. This is an amazing honor for a great person and champion of the community. For over three decades, Alex has been committed to the citizens and local businesses in the Macon-Bibb community. His entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen, and civic involvement has fostered economic development that has led to job creation and financial opportunities for citizens. 

Through the Macon-Middle Georgia Black Pages, Mr. Habersham has consistently demonstrated his dedication to educating the citizens and equipping them with valuable resources, and connecting them with local business owners. 

Over the years, Mr. Habersham has devoted his time and talent to educating, motivating, and mentoring the youth of our community. He has touched thousands of lives and has had a profoundly positive impact on families throughout our community. 

For the last few years, I have had the distinct pleasure of serving alongside Alex as he has chaired the International Cherry Blossom Festival Board of Directors. During this time, he has always put the needs of the community first. He has brought people together and demonstrated that great things are possible when we highlight our similarities and focus on our mission of improving our community.

2020 Citizen of the Year: Alex Habersham

Yvonne Williams, President & CEO of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce welcomed guests to the online event and stated “Thank you for standing with us as we continue to navigate uncharted territory. We hope you will raise your glasses and that your spirits will be lifted as we salute the Community Heroes who are being honored tonight for their exemplary service in advocacy, medicine, business, education, and resilience." 

Julia Magda, 2020 Chair of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce remarked, “ This certainly wasn’t the year anyone expected, but I am still happy to be sitting here in the historic Capricorn Sound Studios today to report that the Greater Macon Chamber is still standing strong. Sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone, and I am proud to be working with such a visionary group of executives who have risen to the unprecedented challenges presented during the pandemic. Tonight, we commemorate the 160-year legacy of advocacy and leadership. It has been my pleasure to serve our members and I want to thank you for placing your confidence in me and this organization. The institutions, organizations and individuals who are being honored tonight have been an inspiration to all of us.” 

The virtual celebration blended entertainment, education, and exemplary community service into a new event platform where sponsors, presenters, winners, musicians, and hosts recorded their remarks using COVID19 safety protocols in one of Macon’s iconic venues. In this incredible year, the show was designed as a love letter to the community, spotlighting local heroes, recognizing area businesses, and highlighting non-profits that are collaborating to provide essential services and innovative programming for Macon-Bibb.

The 2020 Chamber Awards may be accessed at no cost at 7 PM EST on November 19, 2020 on the Greater Macon Chamber Facebook page, YouTube channel, and at www.maconchamber.com.